regshoe

Awesome review, as usual :) And there is nothing pointless about some good old introspection, which this book obviously calls for!

I absolutely agree about that elusive thing about Broster's writing--it really is something that's difficult to pinpoint, but truly makes it striking and memorable. I also think it's not necessarily about tragedy, to me it feels like this emotional weight comes from a strong sense of place, which she is excellent at writing... and I also feel it's from the idea of characters doing what they do for a reason that, more often than not, seems to be their home (motherland, home country, choice of king or gov't, whatever), so the stories become so emotional and striking because they are tied to the struggles the characters go through and them meaning something, because of that sense of homecoming they achieve (or hope to achieve) in the end. Does that make sense? I feel that Broster's narrative style is so good at showing all this, and more... but you've said it way better, heh! <3

Broster puts her characters through terrible trials and heavy emotional journeys, but she also constantly sympathises with them in a knowing, omniscient-narrator way. She's got a way of emphasising little details of mundane happiness in the wake of tragic events, which I think is meant to show how the characters grow past their trials and misfortunes, but which feels almost cruel at times.

I absolutely agree! It does feel a bit cruel, but also very realistic! Even in small passages and details, you get this deep feeling, this depth of character that also makes you see them as real people, and sympathise with them, even when they are Royalists! haha! But seriously, it is great! <3

I love Raymonde too, as you know! <3 A total badass, with her own goals, and definitely not used as a plot device!! I love how well-developed she is--Broster doesnt make her one-dimensioned, like so many heroines are, so she can be both tough *and* emotional. Like you said, "courage and resourcefulness and passion and pride". She's the whole package, and I totally agree with you about needing more characters like her!

we see Royalist and Republican characters actually arguing the merits of their causes and accusing each other with what they feel are the flaws of the other side, and I really enjoyed getting a view of that.

Yes! And I somehow feel that some scenes in FOTH have that similar flavour, of confronting your enemy with reason and logical thinking and words, rather than just plain battlefield fighting (and perhaps, seeing more common points that one might think...)

Speaking of FOTH, while it can't be beat because of all those nature descriptions (yes, I am Biased <3), I feel that this novel also really shows Broster's wonderful grasp of emotion and character growth. I am weak for the "personal salvation through human connection" trope (which, in a sense, is a sort of emotional homecoming and Broster really kicks ass at writing this!) and you really see this in the bond the Chevallier forms with Anne and then with Raymonde (with a happier ending than the one our Keith gets--but luckily there is such a thing as fix-it fic! ;)

As a side note, I feel it's quite refreshing to show this "slowly rediscovering the value of love" thing via a bond with a child, isn't it? It's not a romantic bond that saves him/brings his heart back to life, and I think it's lovely. Maybe it's just me, but it seems that many times, romantic bonds are shown in fiction as the only meaningful/important ones, so it's great to see a different thing here! Which is not to say that I don't root for him and Raymonde, because theirs is one relationship I can totally see as realistic and fleshed out--they dont fall in love the second they see each other, like in other romance books, and so it's very nice to see their relationship grow, along with the things/the Cause they have in common.

La Vireville/Raymonde—the canon romance—is very much like Keith/Ewen, and I felt very vindicated by this. :)

I absolutely agree! <3

Although not the homoeroticism (which I'm glad about, frankly; I wouldn't want conflict with an m/m pairing I'd inevitably prefer to the canon m/f pairing to interfere with my love for Raymonde!).

Also very true, she kept the m/m handholding to a bare minimum here. I think the Chevallier gets kissed by another soldier once, and he and Anne's dad are close friends, but that's about it--Broster knew that we are all #TeamRaymonde, haha!

There's even a mention of a Mr Windham, although he appears to be historical—perhaps he's a relation.

Oh, you're right about that! I knew you'd spot all the Important Details! Well, this is what fanfic is for, isn”t it?

My other favourite thing about this book is the presence of Child Ballads!

Yes! <3

Altogether: a very good and enjoyable book, highly recommended if you like Flight of the Heron and enjoy playing spot-the-common-detail.

Haha, it really is a bingo card waiting to happen, isn't it? I find it very amusing! :D

And it's awesome of you to consider scanning it and sharing it with the world! <3