Review by bea_cscb -- The Devil Take Tomorrow
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bea_cscb
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- Latest Review: The Devil Take Tomorrow by Gretchen Jeannette
Review by bea_cscb -- The Devil Take Tomorrow
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Devil Take Tomorrow" by Gretchen Jeannette.]
In The Devil take Tomorrow, the author Gretchen Jeannette narrates the adventure of Lieutenant Ethan Matlock, an American spy who infiltrates enemy lines after receiving an unsettling letter. The missive warns about a plot to kill George Washington. With this premise, Ethan gains the trust of British officials and commence working for them. While trying to stop the conspiracy, he gets involved with British soldiers' lives, where he finds friends, enemies, allies, and the fascinating Maddie Graves.
The book is well-written, full of descriptions that take you to another period. The atmosphere created is the one you can expect during a war, full of secrets and mystery, treason, and despair. I really value the accurate details it provides as a historical fiction novel. The plot is absorbing, and action scenes are combined with mastery to make the book easy to read and kept you engaged through every chapter. Several storylines, while predictable, were so stimulating that do not deteriorate the experience. Unusually, I discovered myself surprised about something I’ve been expecting for the past pages.
While I enjoyed everything in the book, the part I liked the most is how Jeannette introduces each character. The heroes, Ethan and Maddie, are intrepid and confident, yet they make as many mistakes as everyone else. I particularly adored Maddie since I found her the most relatable one. She is strong and passionate, but as a woman, she is unable to help her cause. She keeps fighting while everyone tries to discourage her.
At the same time, I really loved reading the side characters. Even though the book is set during a conflict, all the characters introduced have a solid backstory that explains where they come from and why they do what they do. Although the book main plot doesn’t revolve around their actions, we have an insight into their feeling and ulterior motives that serves to build up the world in which the whole novel is set. The book without their appearance would be a different story. In the end, the lesson is how good and bad limits are diffuse in critical circumstances. The perspective is quite American-sided, but it presents human examples in both armies.
I haven’t found any big flaws in the book. I particularly would have loved to see more of Sinclair, the main antagonist. In a world so carefully written, I didn't understand this character. He is flat and impossible to empathize with.
The book was delightful from beginning to end. Well-written and without any huge editing errors, I consider it to be a great reading. Considering the above, I am pleased to rate it with 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to everyone who can appreciate a historical fiction novel or a good spy story.
******
The Devil Take Tomorrow
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In The Devil take Tomorrow, the author Gretchen Jeannette narrates the adventure of Lieutenant Ethan Matlock, an American spy who infiltrates enemy lines after receiving an unsettling letter. The missive warns about a plot to kill George Washington. With this premise, Ethan gains the trust of British officials and commence working for them. While trying to stop the conspiracy, he gets involved with British soldiers' lives, where he finds friends, enemies, allies, and the fascinating Maddie Graves.
The book is well-written, full of descriptions that take you to another period. The atmosphere created is the one you can expect during a war, full of secrets and mystery, treason, and despair. I really value the accurate details it provides as a historical fiction novel. The plot is absorbing, and action scenes are combined with mastery to make the book easy to read and kept you engaged through every chapter. Several storylines, while predictable, were so stimulating that do not deteriorate the experience. Unusually, I discovered myself surprised about something I’ve been expecting for the past pages.
While I enjoyed everything in the book, the part I liked the most is how Jeannette introduces each character. The heroes, Ethan and Maddie, are intrepid and confident, yet they make as many mistakes as everyone else. I particularly adored Maddie since I found her the most relatable one. She is strong and passionate, but as a woman, she is unable to help her cause. She keeps fighting while everyone tries to discourage her.
At the same time, I really loved reading the side characters. Even though the book is set during a conflict, all the characters introduced have a solid backstory that explains where they come from and why they do what they do. Although the book main plot doesn’t revolve around their actions, we have an insight into their feeling and ulterior motives that serves to build up the world in which the whole novel is set. The book without their appearance would be a different story. In the end, the lesson is how good and bad limits are diffuse in critical circumstances. The perspective is quite American-sided, but it presents human examples in both armies.
I haven’t found any big flaws in the book. I particularly would have loved to see more of Sinclair, the main antagonist. In a world so carefully written, I didn't understand this character. He is flat and impossible to empathize with.
The book was delightful from beginning to end. Well-written and without any huge editing errors, I consider it to be a great reading. Considering the above, I am pleased to rate it with 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to everyone who can appreciate a historical fiction novel or a good spy story.
******
The Devil Take Tomorrow
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Devil Take Tomorrow by Gretchen Jeannette
