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fawkes
Fawkes

REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER...

Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone, and the only cure to the Stone Plague is to join his father’s plot to assassinate the king of England.

Silent wars leave the most carnage. The wars that are never declared, but are carried out in dark alleys with masks and hidden knives. Wars where color power alters the natural rhythm of 17th century London. And when the king calls for peace, no one listens until he finally calls for death. But what if death finds him first?

Keepers think the Igniters caused the plague. Igniters think the Keepers did it. But all Thomas knows is that the Stone Plague infecting his eye is spreading. And if he doesn’t do something soon, he’ll be a lifeless statue. So when his Keeper father, Guy Fawkes, invites him to join the Gunpowder Plot—claiming it will put an end to the plague—Thomas is in.

The plan is to use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the Igniter King. Unfortunately, doing so will destroy the family of the girl Thomas loves. But backing out of the plot will send his father and the other plotters to the gallows. To save one, Thomas will lose the other.

No matter Thomas’s choice, one thing is clear: once the decision is made and the color masks have been put on, there’s no turning back.

INDUSTRY PRAISE

“Set against the backdrop of the infamous Gunpowder Plot but with a paranormal parallel reflecting the real-life Protestant and Catholic conflicts of the day, this adventure tackles class and race issues…Thomas’ struggle for survival and acceptance, and the chemistry he shares with Emma, make this a satisfying tale." - Publishers Weekly

"Brandes successfully blends magic into history, and one can easily see both sides of the conflict as Thomas struggles with his choice. VERDICT A recommended purchase where the genre is in demand.” - School of Library Journal

"This alternate history refocuses the issues from religion to a conflict between those who manipulate one color to do magic (Keepers) and those who seek to control all colors (Igniters). It is a dense novel, very ably written, with a first-person narrator that invites readers into the intricacies and dangers of plotting against authority. In with the Gunpowder Plot story line, there is also a romance and subplot tied to John Hawkins and the African slave trade in England. The history and language of this engrossing historical fantasy suggest older readers, rather than any sensitive content." - Booklist Review

"I was up late in the night reading, waiting to get to the fifth of November to see how the plot would actually unfold, and it did not disappoint. An imaginative, colorful tale about choosing for yourself between what's right and what others insist is the truth." --Cynthia Hand, New York Times bestselling author of My Lady Jane

"Hold on to your heart as this slow-burning adventure quickly escalates into an explosion of magic, love, and the truth about loyalty." --Mary Weber, bestselling author of the Storm Siren Trilogy

"Fawkes is a tale full of spiritual depth, tragedy, and hope. A beautifully written allegory for the magic of faith, with an achingly relatable hero who pulls you into his world heart and soul. A must-read for all fantasy fans!" --Lorie Langdon, author of Olivia Twist

"A brilliant book that fulfills every expectation. Brandes turns seventeenth century London into a magical place. I was captivated by the allegory of her magic system and how she blended that fantasy with history. I highly recommend this gripping and beautifully crafted book to all. It will leave you both entertained and pondering matters raised in the storyline long after you've finished reading." --Jill Williamson, Christy Award-winning author of By Darkness Hid and Captives

"A magical retelling of the seventeenth century's famous Gunpowder Plot that will sweep you back in time--to a divided England where plagues can turn you to stone and magic has a voice. Deft and clever, Fawkes is a vibrant story about the search for truth and issues relevant to us, still, today." --Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author

GOODREADS RATING

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THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN FEAR. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE FEAR. IT'S UP TO US TO STAND TALL, EVEN WHEN THE FEAR DEMANDS WE BOW TO IT.

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MEET THE AUTHOR

Nadine Brandes

NADINE BRANDES

Carol Award winner and two-time Christy Award finalist Nadine Brandes is an adventurer, fusing authentic faith with bold imagination. She's been known to eat an entire package of Oreos by herself, and watches Fiddler on the Roof at least once a year. She writes about brave living and other worlds soaked in imagination. When she's not taste-testing a new chai, she and her hubby are rockin' shalom, dorkiness, and board games with college students in the midwest.