Reviews for Dukings Days Rebellion
Historical Novel Reviews - Mirella Patzer
Anita Davison has skilfully brought to life the realities of this brutal time in England’s history. Well researched, the novel evokes strong emotion pertaining to the rebellion and the state of the country afterwards. I enjoyed the perseverance and strength of the characters, especially that of Helena. A tremendous novel that accurately depicts the era.
Ginger Simpson, Author
www.gingersimpson.com
I've always hated reading about English history... found it dry and boring, UNTIL, I discovered Duking Days.
New author, Anita Davison, has such a flare with descriptions and emotions that you'll find yourself pulled into the story and won't want to leave until the book ends... then you'll be upset that it's over.
The good news? She's working on a sequel so you'll again get to meet her entertaining characters, share jolly old England through her eyes and words, and, I promise, you'll love it. She's on my keeper shelf and I'm sure she'll end up on yours, too.
Dear Author Blog
www.dearauthor.com
Dear Ms Davison,
I had been eyeing your book “Duking Days Rebellion” at Fictionwise before you offered it to Dear Author for review. It was actually on my wish list there just waiting for my next paycheck when Jane forwarded me the review request. Talk about nice timing! It took me back to my early days of reading historical fiction before I got back into reading true romance books.
I was somewhat familiar with the facts concerning the 1685 uprising against King James II by his bastard nephew the Duke of Monmouth having read several books using it as a backdrop. This book placed me right there not only during parts of the short battle but also in the afterwards. Mentioning the persecution of the French Huguenots by Louis XIV was a nice touch to show what Protestant Englishmen would be afraid Catholic James would force on them and to suggest the reason so many were willing to risk everything to remove him from the throne.
When Helena initially began her search with Nathan Bayle for the fate of her three relatives after the fighting was over, I had an “oh no, don’t let this be a feisty moment” prayer. You answered with scenes that showed the tension, fear, uncertainty, horror and grief being felt throughout the area. Even those who hadn’t partaken in the rebellion nor had any relatives who had done so still had to endure what followed as rebels were strung up and left to rot as a deterrent against further treason.
At first glimpse it would almost appear that Helena and her brother Henry got off fairly lightly to be the children and siblings of known rebels. They have a place to live and their father’s foresight in transferring some property to a friend would appear to have provided at least some income and future for them. But as shown in subsequent events by no means did they escape all consequences of their father’s and brother’s acts.
I understand Helena’s anger at her father, brother and uncle - she supports them as people but I can easily see being furious at them for exposing the rest of the family to harm. Not only their estate was lost but also the family’s place in society plus their mother died while troopers ransacked the estate. And after they begin to carve new lives for themselves both are amazed then angered at their rebel brother Aaron for staying in Holland and refusing to accept the royal pardon, an act which increases the risk of further repercussions to Helena and Henry.
I enjoyed the scenes in which Henry discovers his passion for architecture as he watches St Pauls Cathedral being rebuilt and learning about the system of apprenticeship he embarks on to become an architect himself. Readers will get a real sense of how parents ruled their children’s lives as Henry has to watch helplessly as his sweetheart is betrothed to another thereby causing him to turn to drink. Poor Henry. I hope you have plans for him.
Helena’s more common sense approach in her choice of husband might come off as cold but it’s understandable for the time and her position. She had been put under strain by the actions of her male relatives and knows she must choose well whom she marries and that she must marry in order to have any position in life. Her brief scare in the form of Lord Blanton’s suit to take over what is left of her father’s property shows the still shifting political scene and that then, as today, it’s always been a matter of whom you know.
I was surprised at the Deveraux family taking Helena and Henry in. Did they know the Woulfe family? Was there a financial benefit to them for doing it? Would they have gotten a tidy sum for arranging Helena’s marriage or from the marriage portions? Were there alehouses such as Lambtons? I was surprised too about how nice it is and that this upper class family would run it.
I think you’ve done a great job at giving readers a real sense of the times. Facts are nicely integrated into the story and serve to enhance it and not just for ‘gee whiz, isn’t this a neat fact I found?’ purposes. The characters seem well rounded with faults and flaws and we can watch as they transition from their old ways as events affect them. Helena learns about the less fortunate and realizes how privileged her old lifestyle was. Henry sees that he’s going to have to come up with a new plan for his career and sets about doing it. We see that it’s so much easier for men to make their way and that Henry has options Helena would never get.
One could stop at this point and have gotten a fairly complete story - our heroine has found a safe haven, she and her siblings are alive and doing well and she’s found a man she feels she can trust and respect — yet there is still a lot to be told about their lives and the turbulent times. And to do that, we must read book two in the series. Which I plan to do. B
Coffee Time Romance - Liadan Brodie
Rating: 5 Cups
www.coffeetimeromance.com
This is an excellent and engaging read. If you love historical romances, this is a book you should be clamoring to get. Do not pass on this story of courage, hope, despair, and loyalty. Yes, this book encompasses it all and with great depth. Ms. Davison has brought feeling to her characters and will have you cheering for the good guys and despising the bad guys.
Her descriptions are so accurate and detailed, you would swear she had lived in that time period. I cried while reading certain parts, the emotion was so real, and for me that makes an excellent read. I cannot wait for the sequel to come out and continue this wonderful adventure. Ms. Davison has struck gold with her first book and has won reader loyalty from this reviewer. nger Simpson - Author
I’ve always hated reading about English history… found it dry and boring, UNTIL, I discovered Duking Days. New author, Anita Davison, has such a flare with descriptions and emotions that you’ll find yourself pulled into the story and won’t want to leave until the book ends… then you’ll be upset that it’s over.
The good news? She’s working on a sequel so you’ll again get to meet her entertaining characters, share jolly old England through her eyes and words, and, I promise, you’ll love it. She’s on my keeper shelf and I’m sure she’ll end up on yours, too.
Mrs Giggles
www.mrsgiggles.com
Duking Days Rebellion is a historical tale set amidst - what else? - the event that the book is titled after. The Duking Days Rebellion refers to the Duke of Monmouth's not-so-inspiring attempt to overthrow his uncle King James II and get himself crowned King in his uncle's place. Because James Scott, our Duke, was said to be King Charles II's illegitimate son, the Duke managed to gather about 6,000 or so ill-trained and ill-equipped "soldiers". The ragtag army managed to seize Somerset before the army of King James II put a stop to the nonsense a few weeks later and the King himself had the Duke of Monmouth beheaded for his dreams (or delusions, depending on how one look at it) of grandeur.
That wasn't all - the King's army, under the "leadership" of one Judge Jeffreys who would no doubt consider the Spanish Inquisition too soft, went on a rampage and had hundreds of people butchered for their "treason" and several thousand more deported to the West Indies to work in sugar plantations. This story is set at about the time when Duke begins making his retreat from King James II's army.
Meet our heroine, Helena Woulfe. Her father, Sir Jonathan, as well as her brother Aaron and her uncle Edmund were involved in the Duke's ill-fated rebellion and, as the story opens, the three men are MIA and Helena's family has to deal with the consequences of the men of the family being branded as traitors. While this story also features the plight of her various family members, it's mostly Helena's story as she deals with the aftermath and tries to put back the pieces of her life together. I have no idea why this is so, but Helena is fortunate in that her family still manage to have a roof over their heads instead of dangling from an executioner's noose, but still, there are plenty of pathos and angst to be had.
Let me warn you, folks, that this book is the first one in a projected series revolving around Helena's life. Therefore, there is no clean resolution, much less a happy ending, here. You will have to wait for the sequel and then some for that, I believe. Also, this is not a historical romance so you'll be disappointed if you open this book expecting a love story.
Having said that, I like Duking Days Rebellion. One of the reasons why I generally do not prefer to read historical fiction is because there is a tendency for the author to go on and on as if she's delivering a history lecture, as if historical accuracy is all that is needed to make a story enjoyable. Here, I love the fact that despite being a woman of her time, Helena displays emotions that are universal - I can definitely relate to her as the author conveys the poor dear's confusion, anger, grief, fear, and an assorted other turbulent emotions as Helena has to find a way to stay sane even as her mother falls apart. In a time when a woman is pretty much powerless without the male heads of the family to protect her, there is genuine suspense on my part as to whether Helena will find a silver lining of some sort. Ms Davison's biggest triumph in this story is to have a heroine that I can definitely relate to so that I become easily involved in her story.
Because I am far from being an authority in the history of the British isles, I can't say whether the author's historical details are accurate. I do know, however, that the story feels real enough, just as the emotions feel real to me.
My only complain is that there are several moments in this story where Helena and her family can be... well, "lucky" is the only way I can describe their fortune because they seem to get aid from out of nowhere. I've already mentioned earlier that I'm still not sure why Helena and her family are spared the worst despite the men of their family being clearly implicated as traitors. There is also a noble family that happily take Helena and her brother in when I'm pretty sure such a generous gesture can only bring the King's disapproval upon that family. If I am given a clearer picture as to why these turn of events can occur, they would seem less like contrivances that feel too much like deus ex machina to me.
Still, no matter. Duking Days Rebellion is a pretty interesting and well-written story that has me at the edge of my seat most of the time.
Rating: 86
Kim Smith - Author
Anita Davison has given an awesome reenacting of the era surrounding this troubled time in the last battle on English soil. Using actual historical events, she weaves a rich tapestry transcending time and space, taking the reader on a slow trip through the countryside and a peek into its dangers.
Romance Junkies
www.romancejunkies.com
4 Ribbon Rating
In 1685 Helena Woulfe's life is changed forever, when her father and older brother go off to fight against the new king. As a result, the family is labeled as traitors, leading to the crown taking their home. While trying to discover if her father and brother are still alive, tragedy strikes and Helena's mother is killed by the soldiers that came to seize their property. Helena and younger brother, Henry, are able to find a home temporarily with a kind family. For everyone's safety though, they soon move to London. Wanting to gain respectability, Helena puts aside her girlish dreams and marries. Someday she hopes that she may grow to love her husband, but for now it is important just to feel safe.
Providing an interesting view of a historical event, DUKING DAYS-REBELLION by Anita Davison shows the devastating affects of rebellion on one young woman and her family. I was drawn into this fascinating story describing the life of Helena. She loses everything and finds herself fearing for her very life and that of her loved ones. Her life changes quickly and she finds herself growing up almost overnight. In the end she is a different person with different values. The things that once mattered are no longer important, and all she wants is to once again feel safe.
Helena is an amazing character. She has an inner strength that is not expected. She finds her life of wealth gone, and with it, her girlish dreams. I respected the way she tried to take care of her family, but it truly saddened me to think that after everything, she was willing to give up her happiness to feel safe.
DUKING DAYS-REBELLION is a story that demonstrates the terrible affects of a war. The sense of fear is strong throughout the story. Many horrible acts of bloody violence and hatred are described, painting a vivid picture of conditions at the time. Although it seems rather slow paced at times the story is quite memorable. I found myself learning a little about history that I never knew before. In the end I was left thinking about how easily life, as you know it, can be taken from you. In this way I came to better understand Helena. DUKING DAYS-REBELLION by Anita Davison is a powerful story that gives insight into this particular time in English history and is recommended especially to those readers that enjoy historical books.
