To survive the bitter struggles of the Great Depression, folks did what they had to do to get by. In 1936, in a small rural town in western Ohio, a desperate stranger knocks on the door late one night. What he has to do upheaves the lives of two young boys. Complicated circumstances wrench the boys apart, hurl them back together, and challenge their brotherly bonds. Just when they think they’ve regained their footing, the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. The United States enters World War II, singeing the delicate fibers of their connection. The love of a feisty, no-nonsense mother could be the spark that can salvage their link to one another. Or it may be the fuel which leaves their relationship in ashes. In this prequel to Unveiled, discover the origins of the feud between the Loftons and the MacFaddens.
Plot/Idea: 8 out of 10
Originality: 8 out of 10
Prose: 7 out of 10
Character/Execution: 8 out of 10
Overall: 7.75 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: Davis's finely developed historical story is one of perseverance and coming to terms with familial, personal, and national identity. Readers will be immediately immersed in the story of the protagonists learning the truth of their lineage, and will remain invested in their deeply moving journey.
Prose/Style: Davis's prose is poignant and strong. The dual perspectives of Bill and Freddie as the chapters progress add dynamism to the plot and help both the characters and their relationship feel more fully realized.
Originality: The central relationships at the heart of the novel make this novel far more than a work of military fiction.
Character Development: Billy and Freddie's bond immediately leaps off the page. Readers will root for the family at the story's heart as they navigate upheaval and world-changing events while fighting to remain connected.
Date Submitted: August 01, 2020
