The Turncoat (Renegades of the Revolution) (udgave 2013)

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I'm keen to read a lot more books, both fiction and nonfiction, set during this time period now.

Read my full review here. ( )

3.5/3.75

Okay, so, Kate Grey made many many questionable choices - but, weirdly enough, I didn't really have a problem over looking them. When I set out to find a historical romance novel about the Revolutionary War I didn't think I'd be so lucky as to find this one. It wove history with fantasy in a way that was really unexpected for me. I dug it.

Would I have $12.99 dug it? Probably not. But I found it on thriftbooks and I'm quite pleased. I can't wait to continue this series. ( )

This book took me about 20 - 30 pages to get into, but once I was... "Wow" is all I can say. It's fast-paced, suspenseful story keeps the reader engaged almost to the point that ya just don't wanna go to work or school dang it! It's been awhile since I read a spy story set in the American Revolution that was this engaging. Definitely a treat to find this beauty.

The attention to historical detail astounds me in this book. It's very evident the author did her research. We get the real feel for the times in little details like food, dress, and the sights and sounds of Revolutionary Philadelphia. And then we have the big events like the battles for Mercer and Mifflin, the British occupation of Philadelphia, Valley Forge, and the intricacies of the 1700s spy trade. The plot reflects the intensity of these details and invents to become a thrilling look at a very dangerous time. I was enthralled for almost the entire book.

I really enjoyed the characters in this one. Even the slightly psychotic ones like Bay have depth and character. There is a motivation for what everyone does, be it love, pursuit of pleasure, or dedication to one's country. I was actually extremely intrigued by Bay. I think I'd like a book just to see more of him in India! I'd love to see how he turns out in life. He has such a skewed look on life and with good reason. Yet, the reader gets a real sense that in his own way, he cares for Kate a great deal. I also really enjoyed getting a look into the real life people too, like Howe, Mrs. Loring, John Andre, and Peggy Shippen. They came to life for me right along the made up characters.

If I had a gripe, it would be the at times heavy handed use of sex and rape as a plot twist and pusher. There were places in the book where I was almost rolling my eyes at the rape trope, it was used so often. And that's definitely not a way I like to react to this very harsh fate for women. Yet, the sex wasn't on every page and there was some real chemistry between the characters, be it Kate and Peter or Kate and Bay. So overall, I was able to overlook this and enjoy the book regardless.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a great historical spy thriller with characters and events that draw you in with no escape. You won't mind being the prisoner of this jewel. Can't wait for the next book by this author! ( )

Kate, a young Quaker woman becomes a spy during the American Revolution while becoming sexually awakened along the way. Naturally she falls in love with a British officer of questionable values and her exploits are as much about espionage as they are about overcoming obstacles to be with him.

I'm not quite sure what to make of this book. Was it romance? Historical fiction? It certainly contained elements of both and it was an entertaining and fast read, but it lacked depth and believability.

You really have to suspend disbelief to get through this one. Kate quickly abandons all her long held Quaker values to embrace a life of intrigue, danger, and romance at the drop of a dime. There is a lot of dashing about on horseback, pistol fights, bodice ripping, and the like. If that's your scene then you may well enjoy The Turncoat. The historical setting is good,and it seemed like Thorland did her homework when it came to research, I just wish there was more of that and less of the flouncing around. ( )

A fun, light romance about spies during the American Revolution. Some of the circumstances and characters are a bit far-fetched, but not so much that the entirety is unbelievable. Fun reading for those seeking a little romance. ( )