This is an incredible blend of fantasy and historical fiction! There's people who wear masks and control the color that coincides with their mask. Pretty original! There's assassination attempts and a magical plague. The world building was so unique and I loved the twists to the real historical event. I enjoyed this book so much!

Thomas is Guy Fawkes son and his father is relentlessly trying to get him to join his gunpowder plot. If you remember historically, Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot were real. The stone plague was not. Thomas has contracted the stone plague and he is desperately hoping to find a cure but keeps being distracted by the things unfolding around him. Will he join his father or fight against him?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I have tried a few times to write a review of Fawkes, but each time I have just gushed and gushed about how wonderful it is and I do hate including spoilers in my reviews so I think that the best thing for me to do is to tell you to READ THIS BOOK NOW.

It's fantastic and you will not regret it.

First of all can we talk about the absolutely stunning cover? Just absolutely breath taking, the Houses of Parliament, a traditional Guy Fawkes mask, combined with the blue and gold is perfection.

And beneath that beautiful cover the book doesn't disappoint.
As a Brit, The Gunpowder Plot is a story we are told as children and celebrate every year (we're complicated) and has always interested me. I love a historical event based story with a twist and the twist here is that instead of being Catholic/Protestant, the separation of people is Igniters/Keepers and how they wield their magic. Historical and Fantasy blending 2 of my favourite genres.

Thomas, son of the famous Guy Fawkes, needs his father to make him a colour mask. When he doesn't, Thomas heads to London to find him and get a mask. Instead becoming part of the Gunpowder plot and a servant to his school bully and his fathers ward, Emma, who Thomas is intrigued by.

Thomas can be a bit selfish, angsty and whiny. But Emma is a fabulous, strong, female not quite lead, and although flawed she is fierce. The relationships between characters were well developed and the story was well paced and not rushed. I felt Thomas' struggle to find the 'right' side as the story twists and makes you question which side that is. Being mask less and his infection of Stone Plague adds further to his issues of discrimation, further adding to the conflict between different sectors of society, making them relevant to the prejudices of todays society too.

I enjoyed Fawkes and look forward to reading the Out of Time series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book has so much in it that I love, so I'm just going to start with that. I've been a fan of YA fantasy since...well since I was the age that YA is usually geared towards. However it was very rare that something as good as this came along, especially something that included real life historical events.

The plot of this book comes together really well, winding the historical facts in with the fiction, and the fantasy weaving it all together in one beautifully written package.

The magic within the book is encompassing and wonderful. It was interesting to read how the masks help the users control, or invigorate their magic. 

The writing in this book, and the descriptive nature carried me through the streets of London at a time very different from now. It had me clutching my eReader in fear for Thomas, a character I grew to care about extremely quickly. 

This is definitely one of my favourite books I've read this year. I wished for more the minute I turned the last page, and then proceeded to order a copy to be delivered to myself on release day. After all I am definitely going to lend it to everyone I know as soon as I can.

And I will be reading more of Nadine Brandes' books for as long as she keeps writing.

I was very excited to read this book--the cover was great and the synopsis sounded very interesting. After the first chapter or so, everything seemed to slow way down. I would put the book down and have a hard time picking it back up, because nothing exciting seemed to be going on.
Then Thomas began to really get on my nerves. He was impatient, impulsive, petulant, and whiny. It was difficult for me to identify and sympathize with him. If Thomas had not acted like a spoiled 12-year-old, I would have enjoyed this book much more than I did.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

I will say, this book did not captivate me at first. I liked the premise, and I slogged through for that reason only, but the beginning felt slow and confusing. It does pick up toward the end, but you need to put in the hard yards first.

I personally knew only a very little about Guy Fawkes and the plot before going into this book, which was probably a good thing. I experienced the story without going 'that's not what happened' because the author explains at the end that of course she took some license with the story. I quite enjoyed this era, and felt like the plague being replaced with the stone plague worked well in this almost magical world. I say almost, because although powers exist here, I never got that real fantasy feel of 'I want this power' or 'I want to see this place'. Fantasy books for me NEED this, but I felt like the masks in this world were so overlooked by the characters there was no point in having magic at all.

I also felt like the pacing was way off; somehow I missed that a whole year had passed within the book! It just...doesn't feel like a year's worth of story somehow. I also didn't like Thomas, and he's the main character. His indecision made him less of a character than sat Emma, who kicked ass throughout, or Henry, who's unknown qualities and activities made him more interesting.

For me it was the other characters, and the quality of the writing that makes this a three star read. I would add that the White Light 'speaks' to the characters in their minds, and there is NO indication that it is the White Light speaking which is confusing. I think it needs to have quotation marks or something around it.

Anyway, a good read but not outstanding for me. Three stars.

Did not finish. Historical inaccuracies made for a disappointing experience.

What.a.read! This is one of those books that you stay up all night reading.

Thomas Fawkes has a problem: he’s turning to stone from the Stone Plague that infected his eye. If he doesn’t do something about it, he will turn into a statue. When a solution presents itself, it might be the craziest plot he’s ever seen. He is to join his father in a plot to assassinate the king of England, the Gunpowder plot. The plan is to use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow him up. The problem is that by doing so, he will kill the family of the woman he loves, but if he backs away, both his father and his followers end up on the gallows. Which side will he choose and which one can he live with?

Absolutely brilliant! I stayed up until dawn reading this one, between the action and the heart-stopping moments, I couldn’t put it down!

The plot is great, complex, very well developed and packed with action. The premise of the book is the Gunpowder plot, a true event that took place in England in early 1600s where a group of Catholic traitors plan to assassinate the Protestant king. If you don’t know anything about this particular event, I suggest you only research after you read the book. Discovering it through the eyes of Nadine Brandes, who mixes history with fantasy and fiction, is absolutely worth it. Plus, it keeps the suspense until the end of the story. The pace starts by being very fast, then it slows down a bit in the middle and then it’s just full speed ahead. It gives the reader enough space to breathe and process the past occurrences without breaking out of the story itself.

The characters are the story in this case. It’s like they completely ran out of the author’s control and have a life of their own, they are the plot and the plot revolves around them. They rule the plot, but the plot doesn’t control them. Weird, I know!
Thomas Fawkes, the main male lead, isn’t a very likeable character for me and in the end, I couldn’t completely connect with him. He does bring some spice to the story and I do believe he has a strong character and inner strength; he just needs to grow up a bit more. I felt like he complained a lot during the novel. Even though he has some reasons to, he sounded like a whiny kid. Plus, I couldn’t keep up with his actions and decisions, some of them were incomprehensible to me.
On the other hand, Guy Hawkes is something else entirely. He’s a complex, unpredictable and mysterious type of character. I actually re-read most of the scenes with him. Guy is guided by his sense of bringing justice to the Catholics being prosecuted by the Protestant church. He’s moved by his strong morals and values and in the end, it makes him a memorable character. The main female character is awesome and she reveals herself an important piece of the game. She’s one of the reasons I go so attached to the novel. I cannot go into more details of the characters without spoiling the story, so I will let you discover more of them on your own!

The style of writing is compelling, clean and uses the vocabulary of the 1600s perfectly. Brandes does an amazing job with the descriptions, it’s like you can see a picture of the places and the people. Masterfully done!

Fawkes is a fun read, mixing fiction and history perfectly while keeping a great level of action and suspense throughout the story. I recommend it to the fans of historical fiction with a twist and for those you enjoy the setting in 17th-century London. I can tell you, my friends, the trip to this world is totally worth it!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Thomas Nelson and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In a world where, when you come of age, you are presented with a mask that will allow you to control colour (control brown, you can control brown items, mud, bricks etc, blue you can control water, red, blood and so on), there are two belief systems, the Keepers, who believe you should only control one chosen colour, and Igniters who believe you should be able to control them all.

Thomas is still maskless, at the fault of his father not turning up to present him with one, and worse, infected by a spreading plague that slowly turns its unfortunate bearers to stone. Shunned by society, he sets out to find his father, and join him in a plot to assassinate the king and stop the plague. But his fathers views differ to the woman he loves. Who is right, who is wrong and who can he trust?

I really loved this book. It was original and the colour power idea was both interesting and thought provoking. Fawkes has an underlying message of looking beneath the ingrained ideals of society, and even the people we love, to search for your own truth and your own beliefs. Thomas’ dilemmas revolve around deciding what is right, how far he would go to stop the plague and what version of the history he’s been taught is really true. Most of all, he has to decide between doing what he believes is right, saving the woman he loves and the desire to win his fathers pride. Emma, the woman he loves, is brave and daring, even while being forced to act as a noble woman. Although she has opposing views to Thomas, she too believes she is fighting for what is right.

Fawkes is intriguing, with interesting characters and clever concepts. I loved the way the fantasy aspects of the book were mingled in with real history. Part conspiracy and betrayal, part moral anguish with a splash of magic. I highly recommend it!

This is every ya/fantasy lover's dream book. This has action, espionage, history, and a bit of romance. I enjoyed it and I think any one who loves this genre will enjoy it as well.

Really cool fantasy novel. I can't believe I got to read this for free -it was honestly so good, and I recommend this to anyone who wants to read fantasy.

You have to experience this book for yourself...my words cannot do it for you. Read it NOW....you will so glad that you did. I'm not kidding!!!

The thing that got me to read this book was the cover (and yes I am a judge a book by it's cover type of person). This book is historical fiction and fantasy put together and let me say I loved it since those are two out of my top three genres that I read. I loved the characters (especially after realizing the Guy Fawkes was in this book), the storyline, and how everything fit together, I honestly wasn't expecting much but boy was I wrong. Favorite thing? The masks/ power. Yeah, yeah, yeah something like that has been done before but this just was different in it's own way and if it's done right it can be done so many great ways like in the story.

Have you ever wanted something so bad and yet it’s just out of reach? Thomas wanted love from his father and to feel like he had a purpose. However, because of the plague he was shunned and looked down upon.
There is a strong message throughout this book of good versus evil and the struggles of those who want to do what’s best. Unfortunately, what appears right might not actually be right. Thomas searches for the truth and finds friendship with someone who has secrets of her own.
Nadine Brandes has written a wonderful story of struggles, hardships of war, biases, love, and acceptance, with a twist of fantasy. This story captured my heart and I felt like I was walking around with Thomas. I felt I was going through all his struggles with him. Nadine Brandes truly has a creative way of writing and I know this will not be the only book I read of hers.
If you want to get lost in a magical world with touches of history, then this is the book for you.
I received this book from the publisher for an honest review, all opinions are my own.

I found this book hard to get through because the pacing was so slow through the first 2/3 of the book. The concept was very intriguing, but the execution was dull and at times confusing, specifically the magic system, making it very easy for me to put this one down.

Thomas was juvenile and selfish and I did not feel connected to him or enjoy his point of view very much.

Overall this was just okay. The ending picked up some but it felt a little late at that point. Great idea, so-so execution.

Fawkes by Nadine Brandes

My rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

Nadine Brandes’ latest YA book was an incredible allegorical take on the conflict during the Protestant Reformation. It zeroes on just one of the many conflicts that went on at that time, and presents it in a new way with a fantasy slant.

What I loved:

Color magic
Emma. She is such a brilliant, fierce character.
The romance. This is exactly how YA romances should be—a balance between two characters, where they support each other and help each other grow.
That ending (!)
All the heart in this book.
So many YA books these days lack warmth and heart, so it was refreshing to get to read a book where characters cared deeply, loved fearlessly, and were genuine.

What I didn’t love:

It took a long time to get started. I wasn’t properly “hooked” till about 2/3 through.
All the indecision. Thomas would voice a belief in one thing, and then flip-flop about it in the next scene. It was very frustrating that it took him so long to find conviction!
Some of the sentences used very modern vernacular, and it threw me off. It didn’t happen too often, but when it did, it was jarring.
While I can’t say I loved this book as much as some of Brandes’ other work, it was still a great novel that is well worth the read. (That ending, people! I am slayed.)

3.75 stars.

Sex: mention of prostitution, whorehouses. One non-detailed kiss. Mention of mistresses.

Language: some name-calling

Violence: semi-graphic descriptions of stone plague, injuries, executions. Some are fairly disturbing.

Cultural: Infrequent use of the word “negro” in keeping with the time period. Characters also described as African.Mention of slavery, and mistreatment of Africans. Thomas sees an African for the first time, and is startled. SPOILER: one main character is revealed to be of African and English descent. END SPOILER.

Sorry but I couldn't get into the book at all. I tried though, I'm so sorry for my ADD brain.

Thank you to NetGalley and Nadine Brandes for allowing me to read and review Fawkes. I really liked this book and will be recommending it to my friends :)

I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I always love a bit of historical fiction, but this was even better. We had magic along side of plot to kill the King, there was a whole barrel of action and adventure going on throughout the whole book.
They story plot itself was amazing, I particularly loved the twist about the plague. All I can say is I was hooked from the beginning. The book is written well and has plenty of action and description going on. It isn't overloaded with character speech and we are in the mind of the main character, Thomas. We get to view the world through his eyes, and what a world it is! 

I would recommend this book, particularly if you like a little bit of historical fiction, but with a twist thrown in. I do love a good twist! It's suitable for teens and young adults (or big adults).

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

*Warning: possible spoilers ahead*

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: 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. (Summary courtesy of Goodreads)

Cons (we’ll start with the bad and end with the good)
The first two-thirds were really slow
I didn’t like the ending
Thomas was very boring - like cardboard
Some parts were slightly cliche. For example, a character dies and then, through a convenient loophole, comes back to life. Seriously? That’s never been done before.
The plot is kind of sloppy, and just flounders on for most of the book.
What is it with the damsel-in-distress trope when they want the wimpy guy to look like a man? Making someone weak to make the other look strong - yeah. Not good.

Other
Why did Emma stay so loyal to Henry? I’ve always wanted to know what she saw in him.
I never really connected with the setting, but I can’t put my finger on why.
For some reason I thought Thomas had to choose between his girl and his father, but that’s not true. It’s not even her family. It’s just some guy who is trying to force Emma to marry someone she doesn’t want to, and who isn’t particularly nice for most of the book. Then, when Thomas needs some internal conflict, this guy gives him a job and Thomas suddenly grows a conscience.
Which brings me to another point. It was never really Thomas’ choice. I can’t say more - because, spoilers.

Pros
The last third was awesome
There were some great plot twists, which I can’t mention because of spoilers
Emma was really cool - one of those plot-twists I was talking about
And that plot twist at the end! Awesome stuff.
The colour magic thing was cool, but there were a few problems that were never really explained.
There were some really cool allegorical elements with the White Light and colour powers, etc

It was disappointing as I have been eager to read this book since I heard about it, and it didn’t come even close to what I thought it would be like. I have read another book by Nadine Brandes - A Time To Die - and I loved it. This one just wasn’t as good. All that said, I did enjoy it enough to buy a copy when it comes out. Maybe I will get more out of it the second time through.