20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Could not put it down!, December 7, 2004
This review is from: Fire by Night (Refiners Fire, Book 2) (Paperback)
Out of ten I'd have to rate this book a 15! It didn't take long before I was so involved in the lives of Julia Hoffman and Phoebe Bigelow that I could not put this book down.
These two women couldn't be more different. Julia is from a well-to-do Philadelphia family and Phoebe, well to use the author's words, "....was as homely and horsefaced as a hound dog - and she knew it." How could you not love someone like that?
The story begins at Bull Run, Virginia, July 21, 1861. Julia along with her uncle, a Congressman and a family friend, as well as the very handsome, not to mention single Reverend Nathaniel Greene have come to "watch the war."
Julia has been in love with the Reverend since he was first assigned to their church the year before. She makes an impression on the Reverend but it is not the one she'd hoped for. After witnessing the war first hand and the wounded soldiers it left in its path, Julia became physically ill. Stating she didn't care about helping the wounded men and that she just wanted to get away from there, wasn't what Nathaniel wanted to hear.
Later, when Julia over hears Nathaniel telling the congressman he thinks she is shallow, spoiled, and unbearably self-absorbed she sets out to not only prove him wrong, but to get him fired!
What follows is an extraordinary story of change, courage and self-realization that will keep you on the edge of your seat and not wanting to close this book.
Meanwhile, Phoebe has been taken to the Haggertys. A family who she is to stay with and tend to their countless children while her three brothers go off to help fight the war. Feeling trapped and unhappier than she ever has, Phoebe flees by night to Western Pennsylvania to enlist!
Also enlisting the same day as Phoebe, who is now Ike Bigelow, is a little short fellow name Ted Wilson. The friendship which develops between Ike and Ted is one you will not soon forget. Theirs, is the true meaning of friendship, but will it survive when Ted finds out Ike is really Phoebe? Maybe Ted has his own secrets.
There are more secrets, twists and turns in this story that will keep you guessing until the very end. You never know what is coming next and you quickly learn, things aren't always as they appear.
I highly recommend this book. Truly a well written, researched and gripping tale!!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Wonderful Civil War Historical Fiction Novel, June 25, 2006
This review is from: Fire by Night (Refiners Fire, Book 2) (Paperback)
I really enjoyed this novel, much better than the 1st in the series. The book gives an account of 2 women from the North during the Civil War. A nice surprise is that the author pulled in a few characters from the 1st novel (Candle in the Darkness) and Julia Hoffman (Caroline's cousin who was the main character from the 1st book in the series) is one of the main characters. Phoebe is a new character introduced.
Although Julia is initially a shallow, spoiled, self-absorbed young woman whose mission is to get married she matures into one with character, depth, and conviction. Her ultimate desire to do what God calls her to do. It was interesting to see the hypocrisy revealed in Nathaniel Greene's character and the discovery of Dr. James McGrath's true character.
Phoebe is an endearing character who disguises herself as a male soldier. She has a great one liners and it's easy to imagine her southern West Virginia drawl as she says them. Her relationship with Ted is so endearing.
Although Julia and Phoebe's characters are developed separately in the first half of the book they are drawn together the second half. I liked the ending. I wish this author would do a follow-up summary that tells one how the lives of the characters ultimately end up, like Francine Rivers does in her books. Other than that this is another good historical fiction novel.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome!!, February 28, 2005
This review is from: Fire by Night (Refiners Fire, Book 2) (Paperback)
Though I enjoyed the first book in this series, "Candle in the Darkness," book 2, "Fire by Night," is even better. It is told from the perspectives of two women: one being the spoiled, selfish and weathly Julia Hoffman who desperately wants to change her ways in order to earn the favor of a handsome reverend, the other, a dirt-poor, six-foot-tall farmer's daughter called Phoebe Bigelow who more than anything else wishes she were a man.
This book was flawless--I could not put it down. If you are someone who "enjoys books about girls who dress up like boys and join the army," then this book is for you!! It was also interesting to see Julia's journey from a spoiled brat to a kind, wise woman with a heart for caring for people. The most touching part of the story, however, is Dr. McGrath, a strange, moody doctor whom Julia knows hates her...or does he? In all, this book had beautiful character development.
Highly recommended.
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