Families Broken by PC Nottingham

Jab and Sanu are finally on their way back to their home island. Unfortunately, instead of the sought after peace treaty they had hoped to be returning with, they are accompanying the king and head of the Frenglese army who seeks to retake the island and the sacred city. While King Ridgerd may actually want peace, there is another king who has already arrived on the island with his own army, determined to retake the sacred city for himself. And he is not at all friendly to the Grovekeeper religion. He is a conqueror rather than one who seeks peace and harmony. So now Jab and Sanu, along with Sir Brouglas must find a way to save the island from not one but two armies, and if they are lucky, find a way to bring everyone to agree to a way where all three religions can live together in harmony and understanding.

I read a review copy of this book and very much enjoyed it. Of the three books in this trilogy, this book is the one that had me tearing up at times as I read. This book has some very emotional moments that are both heartwarming and heart wrenching. Jab and Sanu have faced so much pain in their young lives, and it seems that this book is one that will bring everything to a head, for good or ill.

I do not want to give anything away about this story, but if you have read the first two, then you really don’t want to miss reading this one. It is definitely the best of the trilogy. I’m going to deliberately keep my review of this book short, as I am afraid that if I don’t, I’ll accidentally give away too much of the story and spoil some of what happens for you. So I am going to end my review here, with the hope that you will give this one a try. While I may not have said much about the story itself, please trust that it is well worth the short time it will take you to read and enjoy this book. Recommended.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Brothers Divided by P.C. Nottingham

Two young squirrel brothers have just buried their parents. On that same day, they encounter a knight who is seeking to warn the townsrodents that he believes their town is in danger from suspected nearby raiders. He has come to offer the villagers safety in shelter in the town of Olihort (still called ZelZaytum by those of the Grovekeeper faith), under the Sapling’s protection. But given that many of the families can remember when their grandparents who lived in the town were slaughtered by the army that invaded to claim the sacred Gnaverwood tree as their own, no one from the town will believe such an offer is meant in peace.

That same day, the army of Nasalid the Liberator sets a trap for the armies who claimed the lands as theirs. As the two forces meet, the brothers believe they each see the other killed, unaware that their family member still lives and has been rescued by the opposing army. In turn, the brothers decide to aid the side that rescued them, hoping to find a way to restore peace to their land. But where religious differences are involved, is such a thing actually possible? Can multiple religions actually coexist peacefully together?

I read a review copy of this book and found it entertaining and thought provoking. And for a short book that is quickly read, it did manage to contain quite a bit of story and action. In some ways, it made me think (very loosely) of some of William Shakespeare’s plotlines. Though not truly the same, I could see vague similarities in several places.

There were both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments in this book, as each brother truly believed the other was killed, and they must cope with a very trying time, with a religious war looming and them being unable to avoid it. Many involved do seem to want peace, but unfortunately, there are also those who are determined to continue to provoke the other side in an attempt to justify a complete destruction of their supposed enemies, including those who are innocents.

I believe this young adult novel would be a good fit for anyone interested in reading fantasy stories that involve religious differences and that attempt to show how often peaceful solutions and coexistence are possible, if only everyone involved is willing to talk out their issues and find a compromise. I enjoyed reading this book, and found the ending hopeful, though clearly the adventures of the two brothers, Jeb and Sanu, are not yet over, as peace between this land and opposing kingdoms cannot be assured unless everyone is willing to accept a peaceful solution. I will be looking forward to seeing what happens next in this series.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.