Review of The Summer Soldiers

[Melisa Jane]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Summer Soldiers" by Mark James Miller.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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The Summer Soldiers is a historical fiction by Mark James Miller. The story covers the second year of the American Revolution and begins in the year 1776. Josiah Hartford saw it first. Together with other members of the Continental Army, he was on lookout duty at one of the watch-out towers built under the orders of General Washington, the rebels' commander. They were to notify Washington if they saw any approaching British ships. On that particular day, they were not mistaken; the British army was advancing towards New York, and General Washington had to know this fast. Last year they were defeated, but this year they won't allow that humiliation to happen again. This second year of the war was important to the rebels, as it would determine the outcome, whether they would gain independence or not. But one thing was for sure. There would be many obstacles to surmount, and their resolve would be tested to the limit.

What stood out for me was how the author maintained historical accuracy in this work. I couldn't help but marvel at the amount of work he invested in research. The Summer Soldiers is laden with verifiable historical facts, and this could be seen in the setting, names of the characters, and various landmarks during those times. This made this book a hub of historical knowledge, even though the narration is fictional. As a history fan, I greatly liked this aspect, as it not only enabled me to refresh my existing knowledge of the American Revolution but also made me learn some facts I didn't know before. Details surrounding the Sugar House, the hangings, and the strategies used by soldiers from both sides were aptly captured. Readers get to picture them as if witnessing them first-hand. The depictions of the Hessians were also refreshing and informative to me. I also liked that the narrative's goal was set early enough. Apart from the quest for independence among the rebels, some characters, like Josiah Hartford, also had personal agendas propelling their actions. This kept me glued as I waited to uncover how they would accomplish them. I also liked the contagious camaraderie among the soldiers; I couldn't help getting attached to some, too. The ending was also satisfactory, as it tied most loose ends. Despite that, it left some room for imagination about the post-Revolution life of the characters who survived.

My least favorite aspect of this book was the slow pace of the narrative. The author took time developing the scenes and characters, causing the story to snail for the better part of its narration. On many occasions, the author prioritized historical accuracy over the story's pace, which affected my enjoyment. There was no real action until much later. I would have enjoyed it more if the author had introduced real action earlier in the story, as this could have prevented it from lagging.

Overall, there was no other thing I disliked about this book. It seems to have been professionally edited, although I still found some errors that need a final round of proofreading to eliminate. Putting all factors into consideration, I am glad to give The Summer Soldiers three out of four stars. I deducted a star due to the story's slow pace, which affected my enjoyment.

I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction with elements of burgeoning romance, particularly those with historically accurate details. This book has many things to learn about the American Revolution, and reading it may provide respite from the textbook presentation of the subject. On the other hand, I encountered extensive use of profanity and graphic depictions of executions. Except for readers who may be affected by such, I don't see any other person who may find it least suitable.

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The Summer Soldiers
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[Laney K]

I feel as though I wouldn't be able to get past the slow pacing, but a well-researched book is always appreciated

[Lisa Park17]

I'm a fan of historical fiction books that embodies a fast pace. Unfortunately, this book has a slow pace, which would affect my overall enjoyment of the book. And as such, I'll skip this one. Nonetheless, your review is well-written.

[Faisal Kurfi]

I am a fan of history, but I'm a little concern about the reported slow pace of this book. All the same, I think i'll add it to my to-be-read list. Great review by the way.