Book Review: Fawkes by Nadine Brandes

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. 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: use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the Igniter King.

The problem: 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.

My rating:

If you know me well, you know that I've had my eye on this book ever since it came out in '18. Seriously. I thought it was the most gorgeous cover ever, but I wasn't going to buy it without having ever read anything else by the author, and neither of the local libraries carried it, soooooo I was doomed to a life of longing.

Until Christmas. I tore off the wrapping paper and literally went *ggggaaaaasSsSsSSSSSPPPP* when I saw that this beauty was FINALLY within my grasp.

*dramatic pause*

Well. I still think it's one of the most gorgeous covers I've ever seen, and if possible, it's even more beautiful in person.

I'm rambling, I know. Because I'm literally in love with a book cover.

(And this should tell you the state of my mental capacity. *Ross Geller voice* I'm fINE!)(for real though, I just never outgrew my obsession for pretty book covers and I'm okay with that)

So let's just get out of the way why this nugget of unmatched beauty with the creepy mask on the front got 4 stars instead of 5.

The real answer? BOREDOM. Seriously. For the first 150-200+ pages, it. was. boring. Learning about the color system and all was fascinating, but the majority of that first half was a combination of "Oh look the people are being oppressed by the other people" and "PooR ThOMaS DoeSN't hAVe HiS MAsK" and while I liked Thomas, he was just kinda...a brat. Don't get me wrong: it was very well-written. Just slow and not quite what I'm used to. ;)

BUT. The SECOND half.

Guy Fawkes was...my favorite. *grins* The dad learning to be a dad. Complex. Secretive. And it's so obvious that he cares even when Thomas can't see it, and the lengths he goes to are just...ACK. All the blubbery feels.

All the other characters were great, but let me just take a moment to appreciate Emma. Emma has a secret that she doesn't let anyone else know about, and it holds her captive. (those that have read the book know what I mean *smirks*) But I love her strength. I love her nature. She's a strong female character; very strong. But I. loved. it.

And, of course, we can't forget Thomas. *grins* Like I said, he was just a general brat at the beginning. But his character arc was *chef's kiss* The struggles he went through were so real and relatable, and the hardest decision he ever had to make in his life was just *cries* 

So then we get to the BATTLES and the SOURCE of the MYSTERY and everyone's screaming and pointing fingers and Thomas is grappling for control and the *censored for spoilers* is there to help him and *flails*

AND THEN THOSE LAST COUPLE OF CHAPTERS. I'M NOT OKAY. I REPEAT: I. AM. NOT. OKAY.

I'm soooo glad I didn't fully read any reviews. 'Cause I was expecting a little bit of heartbreak, but then I got sucked into the story and kinda forgot about it.

I halfway knew what the end would be. It was inevitable, really. But...like...that ONE SCENE and then he SAW WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO *again, censored* AND I WAS CAUGHT SO BY SURPRISE THAT I LITERALLY WAS ON THE VERGE OF TEARS.

Seriously.

*deep breath*

That. Ending. Scene. Though.

*incoherent fangirl noises*

My first Brandes novel is complete. And I'm still fighting a literary hangover.

Will I read more by this author?

Bring it on.

(for real though, I'm kinda sorta DYING to read her Out of Time trilogy)

Anyone else wanna come scream about this book with me?