HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: Rebels and Traitors - Lindsey Davis

BOOK BLURB:
Set against the terrible struggle of the English Civil War and the dark plots of the Commonwealth, "Rebels and Traitors" tells of soldiers, adventurers, aristocrats and kings, tradesmen, politicians, radicals and scavengers - and the hopes and dreams that carried them through one of the most turbulent eras of English history. Men who never imagined fighting a war gladly risk their lives; women strive to keep families and businesses together through years of deprivation; and, innocents are caught up in bloodshed and terror. After years of struggle Gideon Jukes and Juliana Lovell, on opposite sides of the Parliamentarian/Royalist divide, are brought together by fate on one of the significant dates of the struggles and its aftermath. After adversity and loss, their mutual attraction may one day bring the comfort and companionship for which they both have yearned through a disastrous war. But a dark shadow lurks over them and even in peace the past is not far behind. "Rebels and Traitors" is an absolute epic masterpiece, poignant and convincing characterisation and razor-sharp historical realism.


REVIEW:
Historical Fiction has long been the home of the Ancient Greeks, the Warriors of Rome as well as maurading Vikings. One period that seems to have escaped is the Civil War of Cromwell Vs Charles, yet here for the first time is an epic novel that brings all the best aspects of the time and blends a love story to last the ages into the very fabric of social upheaval in British Society.

Written with her usual flair but added into a time that the author clearly has a passion for, will make this novel perhaps not only her best to date but also one to stand the test of time and for which others will soon be judged. Whether that was the intention of Lindsey I cannot say but it really is a novel that I couldn’t get enough of. The fact that this book is an epic read in itself really didn’t come to my attention until I’d turned the last page and had the story that I’d been wanting. A great addition to Lindsey’s portfolio and definitely the book I’d recommend for any fans of the genre to try.