Declare Books Toward Fire by Night (Refiner's Fire #2)
| Original Title: | Fire by Night (Refiners Fire #2) |
| ISBN: | 1556614438 (ISBN13: 9781556614439) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | Refiner's Fire #2 |
| Literary Awards: | Christy Award for Historical (2004) |
Lynn Austin
Paperback | Pages: 429 pages Rating: 4.41 | 6948 Users | 485 Reviews
Present Epithetical Books Fire by Night (Refiner's Fire #2)
| Title | : | Fire by Night (Refiner's Fire #2) |
| Author | : | Lynn Austin |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Anniversary Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 429 pages |
| Published | : | November 1st 2003 by Bethany House Publishers (first published January 1st 2003) |
| Categories | : | Historical. Historical Fiction. Christian Fiction. Christian. Fiction. Romance. Military History. Civil War |
Ilustration During Books Fire by Night (Refiner's Fire #2)
You know a book is wonderfully good when you still think about it weeks after you've finished, when you're still lost in its world long after reading the last page, and when the characters still cling to you as though they were your best friends. Fire by Night is just such a book. I became so lost in it I was able to read it anywhere, regardless of my surroundings. Everything else was forgotten as I plunged wholeheartedly in this wonderful, intense and passionate story of courage, selflessness, love and self-forgiveness. The first book of the series, Candle in the Darkness was amazing and I loved it, but this one...this one had me completely entranced. It's quite possibly my favourite book of the year. The characters are real, relatable, human. They come alive as the story unfolds, and I could connect, understand and love them. Their adventures and experiences are believable and the settings and atmosphere so well described that, even though I have never experienced the gruesome sight of a bloody battlefield, Ms. Austin's descriptions are the closest insight I have had - and wish to have. Everything in this novel was so engrossing. And for once I didn't care that they were two heroines, that some scenes were incredibly sad, and that there were two stories going on at the beginning.Rich, pampered and spoiled, Julia Hoffman lives a life of luxury and ease as a Philadelphia belle amongst the elite. She is young, beautiful, and very much solicited after. In these times of war and danger, all that is expected of her is that she pick a husband, start her own family and continue on with her life of fancy afternoon teas and expensive soirées. Julia has set her cap at dynamic, passionate Pastor Nathaniel Greene, a fierce abolitionist and ardent philanthropist, but he wants nothing to do with Julia. He is looking for a wife who is selfless, loving, generous and giving. A woman who will know what is expected of a minister's wife and willingly comply to her husband's will. In short, he wants a compliant woman who will obey him. And Julia is none of that.
After she witnesses the Battle of Bull Run, an ashamed Julia overhears a mortifying comment about her, and makes an important decision that will forever alter the course of her life.
For her part, Phoebe Bigelow is not afraid of the war. She would much rather enlist along with her brothers and go on shooting Rebels, than stay behind and work for that odious Mrs. Haggerty, all the while having to wear a dress and behaving womanly. Phoebe thinks she is ugly and that no one will marry her, so why play the part of a woman when she could easily pass off for a man, with her great height and stocky build, and enroll in the army?
Two very different women, coming from two very different worlds, running away for very different reasons. The one so pretty and delicate, but determined and outspoken. The other, strong, fierce and made for hard work. The one thing they have in common, is that they are both serving for the same war. Heart-wrenching, bloody, miserable, difficult, uncontrollable war. They will never emerge from it all the same person again.
Do yourself a big favor and read this book. You won't regret it. It's amazing. It has danger, suspense, battles, adventure and romance. The hero is unlike any I had ever encountered, and I found myself falling for him the moment I met him, and swooning all over the place by the end. He just made me melt. *sigh*
I really cannot wait to get my hands on the final book of the series, A Light to my Path!!
And now, for the spoilerish comments, for those who have read the book :)
(view spoiler)[
*The hero, the hero and THE HERO. OMG. He was so HOT. And it was SO obvious he was falling for Julia the moment he saw her, and that all his rudeness was only an attempt to keep her at arm's length. That scene when Miller dies and she goes and cries in his arms was so adorable. And all while she was wearing a beautiful silk gown ;)
*Why did Ted have to diiiiiiieeeeeee!!!! I wanted to bawl my eyes out, it was so sad!! ): ): I was so hoping he and Phoebe would get a HEA. I suppose the fact the he took a bullet for her, after she'd done the same for him, makes up for it, in a way. It was such a beautiful, noble way to die. I think they should've at least kissed before he died, though.
*Nathaniel Greene was so odious. What the heck was wrong with him!! I feel bad that Julia wasted so much as a minute on him.
*Julia was so wonderful. I loved her from the beginning. I think it took more courage to decide to leave her easy life, than it was for her to keep going on nursing.
*I love the way Phoebe is so good at manly things. She can beat up bullies, shoot better than the others and fight just like them. She was so strong. And I loved how everyone was surprise that she could cook. ;) LOL
*That kiss between Julia and James. Oh dear. Please allow me a moment while I collect my scattered wits.
I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!! <3 <3 (hide spoiler)]
Rating Epithetical Books Fire by Night (Refiner's Fire #2)
Ratings: 4.41 From 6948 Users | 485 ReviewsCriticize Epithetical Books Fire by Night (Refiner's Fire #2)
This book is amazing! It is too hard to pick a favourite Lynn Austin book but right now this ones my favourite! The story follows two main characters: a young socialite who becomes a nurse during the Civil War to prove that she isn't self-centred and snobbish, and a farm girl who disguises herself as a boy and joins the Union army to avoid life at home. Their stories start out separately but eventually overlap, and these two main points of view worked really well together.Throughout this book, IWhen it comes to capturing the Civil War accurately, Lynn Austin has it down. She didn't glorify the war nor romanticize people's reaction to it. It was the perfect balance of real people from various backgrounds facing hardship like never before.I really liked the nursing side of the story. There was great detail given to the various diseases and cures and debates between doctors. I'm not a nurse and don't think I could ever be one, so I was surprised that I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of
One thing I admire about Lynn Austin is that she doesnt shy away from introducing darker, grittier content and themes into her books while still keeping very much within the established Christian fiction genre. She isnt afraid to place her characters in uncomfortable, unfamiliar situationsor have them tackle the tough questions about God. So much Christian fiction these days doesnt provide enough challenges for the characters or for the reader. Its refreshing when a faith-based book does both.
This second book of Lynn Austin's Refiner's Fire Civil War Series looks at the war years through the eyes of a northern high society young woman and a poor gal from Western Virginia.Themes are: Sacrificing self to respond to the needs of others, overcoming loneliness to learn to love, and discovering and answering God's call on your life. I picked this book up eager for more information on Caroline and Charles and desiring to see how they rebuilt their life and relationship in the post-war years
I loved this - the Civil War, medical history, unexpected characters, masterful descriptions, emotions, triumphs. Wow. Julia is a high society girl who becomes a nurse for the wrong reasons, but pushes through all the obstacles. She discovers a lot about herself and her relationship with God. Phoebe is my favorite so often because she's simple but honest, and so insightful and just plain powerful in touching lives. Her story made me laugh, cringe, mourn, and smile. One of my favorite scenes
This book might have been a little long for me. I think the story could have been told in half the pages. I just got tired of reading it.
This book took longer to get into but got me more emotionally invested than the first one. Very good!!!
0 Comments