Amanda Dykes is a must-read author of mine. Her stories are poignant and sweet and touching and incredible. Yours is the Night is her latest release. It’s a bit different from the past two in that it’s not a split time story. Instead, it follows a group of soldiers as they escort a young lady from the battlefield to Paris during World War 1. It is also a touching tribute to the Tomb of the Unknown Solider on the 100th Anniversary of it’s dedication.

This book is so good, I truly have no words for it. I’ve put off writing this review, hoping time would cause my thoughts to congeal. They haven’t. Yours is the Night is not a lighthearted tale, yet it brims with hope. It is intense and dark and full of pain, and yet overflowing with romance and love and friendship. Brotherhood. It is a deep story. A wonderful story. And yes, it will make you cry. But it is because of that very reason that I highly recommend you read this book.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

Great depth, that is the treasure of Yours Is the Night. Amid the terrors of war, or the terrors of day to day life, Dykes leads us to realize that it isn't so much about the anguish, but rather about the presence of God. She demonstrates that conflict arises and is sustained because we are unable to physically see the universe of stories and emotions that live within each of us, nor can we see the hopes and possibilities we each possess. As you read Yours Is the Night I pray that it reaches into the great depth of your soul with an even greater light.

I am extremely grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this amazing novel from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

4.5 stars

Another beautiful tale from Amanda Dykes!!
A WWI novel, though there are not many battle scenes, the author masterfully captures the experience (see quotes below) of soldiers on the front and civilians involved in the war in so many different ways. Through her five point of view characters, Dykes is able to capture the stories of characters coming from very different backgrounds, and how the Great War changed and shaped their lives. This book is truly a tribute to all who lived through this nightmare in human history. But, as Mira reminds us: "Light was made for dark" - hope, despite everything, will always exist. And this is the message of this novel.

Personally, though I thought George was the only somewhat unrealistic character, I would have liked to hear more from him, especially towards the end.

Some favourite quotes (there were many more):
"Back home, the gate flew open at the crack of the pistol and life beat into the ground. Here, the floodgates flew open to the sound of the whistle and the ground beat the life out of us."

"Sleep had become an act of tiptoeing until my subconscious stumbled over trip wire and clashed against the sounds very real around me, jerking me out before I could go into that dream realm. I feared it. I knew where it would take me and I refused to go there."

"And what amazed me more - which I had never, ever let on - was that when I'd been scared myself, the simplest act of caring for another in their own fear helped me feel that same safety too."

"The Incredible Hollow Man, they should call me. Who lived and breathed though his heart stopped beating long ago. Who became so mechanical in his existence and movements that he was very convincing as a soldier. A hollow tin toy soldier, the ideal vehicle for giving heartless orders and moving on, over and over again."

"So short a tine, back home. So long an eternity, here. Enough to change everything, for always."

"Every [soldier] identical, and every one cloaking a vastly unique universe inside him. I wished we could see them - the memories, the hopes, the hearts they held within their own. Surely the sheer volume of past and future, hope and possibility, would explode this entire war."

Thank you to Bethany House Fiction for offering me a free ebook version in exchange for an honest review.

Once again, this author has written a stunningly beautiful and poignant story that has left me inadequately trying to put my feelings into words. Set during WWI and mostly in France, Yours Is the Night features a colorful, engaging cast of characters who take turns telling their stories. Their journeys of faith, hope, and courage interact and combine to make an unforgettable tale of love and sacrifice.

“But we did not come to be safe. We came to do what needed to be done.”

“Just one person, giving everything he has for another.”

I loved the growth that developed in each character and the camaraderie and love that grew among the group of seemingly disparate individuals, the way they came together to solve problems and come up with solutions.

“. . . what if what we believe to be our shortcomings, our oddities, are actually purposeful quirks that suit us for the moments we were made for?”

I also loved the inspirational messages of faith, hope, and God’s love for each of his children that are intricately and carefully woven throughout the story.

“Sometimes there’s a dark so thick you just know that the God who made light with His own two hands—with just His words—is going to plunge right into the dark to find you.”

If you’re looking for a breathtaking, heart-stopping, unforgettable read, look no further than Yours Is the Night. This author is one of the best at writing amazingly beautiful prose that will linger with you for days. This book is bound for my keeper shelf alongside her other books, Whose Waves These Are and Set the Stars Alight.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House and also purchased a copy. All opinions are my own.

With two beautifully written and highly acclaimed books, Amanda Dykes has set a high standard for herself. And with Yours is the Night, she proves she is up to the challenge by not only meeting that standard but exceeding it.

First thing to note is this is not a dual time story like Dykes’ previous books. It is 100% set during World War I but that takes nothing away from the story. And what a story it is!!

Told through five points of view and based loosely on the Unknown Soldier, this book is like nothing I’ve read before. It is a story of war but more so it a story of human nature and fear and heartache and courage and sacrifice. It is emotional and raw and real.

In short, it is the best book I’ve read this year (and maybe since Dykes’ previous book). You do not want to miss this book but be sure to keep the tissues on hand.

And if you’re an audiobook fan, the narration on this one is amazing.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Let me just start by saying 😭😭😭

There are just no words. Literally no words.

Okay, maybe there is one word… and that word is real. This book is REAL. So much realer than anything I’ve ever read. It’s life, at it’s realest, it’s grittiest, it’s darkest and also at its lightest and most hope-filled.

Amanda has completely outdone the insanely high standards her previous books have set in this absolute masterpiece which plumbs the depths of human nature - both its darkest depths and it’s lightest - and human pain, while somehow simultaneously telling a whimsical fairytale. She has shown the utter brutality of war, and contrasted it beautifully with moments of the truest good, of self-sacrifice, of love, and of total peace - all delivered in her signature lyrical style, gently highlighting that there is always hope, even in the darkest night.

It is utterly heart wrenching, and induced full-on sobbing for large sections of the second half. But it is also sheer joy at times, and it leaves you walking away with an unshakable certainty in your heart - that there is always, always, always light - and life - in the dark.

Amanda’s writing transcends being labelled simply a novel. There’s so much more to it than that. In her first book - Whose Waves These Are - she took us through the journey of grief, in her second - Set the Stars Alight - she gave us a taste of heaven, and in this, her third, she has given us life - in all of its brokenness and beauty…

And it is beautiful!

Thank you Amanda!

And that last line! 😭😭😭 It’s one I will cherish in my heart.

But if you want to know what it is, you’re going to have to read it for yourself. So, what are you waiting for???

Thank you @bethanyhousefiction and @netgalley for the ARC. I was only required to provide an honest review in return and here you have it!

“Sometimes there’s a dark so thick you just know that the God who made light with His own two hands – with just His words – is going to plunge right into that dark to find you.”

I love this fabulous novel! If one is a fan of Christian historical fiction set in WWI Europe and have time to read only a few novels, make this one of them! The author is a master storyteller whose prose sings with beautiful melodies and lyrics. Her writing plumbs the depths of the human heart, especially hearts bent towards the Lord. This is a novel to be savored slowly, to not miss one minute of wonder.

The main characters are engaging and fascinating, who meet and travel together through France because of The Great War. One man ties all four of them together, Jasper, a military hero of Matthew’s when he grew up, who had served with the Rough Riders in Cuba. Without Jasper, their lives would have been much different.

Three men are serving the US forces, each facing their own challenges and fears as they see the worst of war. We spend the most time with Matthew, a soldier, with glimpses of his childhood and details through the last several months of the Great War. One man, Henry, is a reporter sent to write about the US troops in battle. The third is George, a chaplain and source of frustration and humor. From a wealthy British family, he was sent to Harvard by his family to be a minister, as clergy were not required to fight.

A young woman, Mira, is French; she lives in and was raised in the Forest of Argonne. The three men had been sent into the forest to get timber to put in the trenches and give them a break from the horrors of their first battle. They heard a beautiful voice in the woods and saw that someone had put pine wreaths on graves of soldiers. She is called the Angel of Argonne, as nobody had yet seen her. Meeting her would change the lives of the three men.

When they find her, the reporter figures out who Mira’s family really is, a history even she is unaware of. As Germans near the forest, she must go somewhere safe, as her little chalet is no longer hidden or safe. Jasper gives the three men permission to escort Mira to Paris, then complete another errand before hurrying back to the trenches. She has another secret, one that she hopes nobody, especially Matthew, would discover.

There are many things to appreciate in Yours is the Night. One theme is choosing the remains of an unknown soldier to be entombed and protected for all time in Washington DC. The characters are very human, each with flaws and each with untested gifts prior to their meeting. Mira and Matthew have beliefs about God that are tested and tried throughout, as are the beliefs of Jasper, Henry, and George. Seeing the devastation of war was a harsh reality. They grew so close, they formed their own “Band”. It was a joy to see how each grows through their experiences. I keenly felt their losses, victories, and fear, as well as joy, humor, and even love in the atmosphere of death.

I highly recommend this magnificent novel of history, love, fear, and faith in WWI France to those who appreciate Christian historical fiction and how darkness can never overcome the Light.

From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. This author is one of the best Christian-fiction (and in fact general-fiction, period) writers out there. Period, done.

I could stop my review there, but I won't. :) Haha!

She truly is the Christie Purifoy or JRR Tolkien of inspy fiction. 'Yours is the Night' tells a story from multiple narrators' POVs--an impressive and challenging feat for any author, and to pull it off well is an abject rarity. This book does it very, very well.

It's a timely release, too, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the instatement of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (which I've had the privilege of visiting several times). That lends an added gravitas and poignancy to an already layered plot!

Earlier this year, I read (well, listened to the Audible version of) Stephen Crane's 'The Red Badge of Courage.' Kind of the mother of all war novels, it really brought the war setting and its impact on soldiers and their loved ones to life. I saw that here in 'Yours is the Night,' too, and the reading of (either, but especially) both redoubled my appreciation for our soldiers and their sacrifices. I'm reminded of the quote that 'those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.'

I highly recommend reading 'Yours is the Night; I firmly believe you will enjoy it, appreciate it, and come away changed.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House and for the gifted book!

Title: Yours is the Night
Author: Amanda Dykes
Genre: Christian/Historical Fiction

Synopsis: “And in this…he would bring something to a nation. Something we brought out of the forest that day, a lifetime ago. Hope. This is our tale. May we never forget.” Matthew Petticrew finds himself on the front lines in France in WWI. In a desperate attempt to recover from “shell shock,” his sergeant sends him and two others into the Argonne Forest where they hear the most beautiful sound they’ve ever heard: a song. “The Angel of Argonne” is a mysterious woman who grew up in a very private life. But her very existence has been wrecked by the horrors of war. When Matthew finds her, she and the soldiers discover her mysterious past and realize she is no longer safe in her home. With a renewed fire, the four set off to see if there is still hope in the darkest of nights.

Analysis: If you have any inkling for historical fiction and romance, go pick up this book right now. Amanda Dykes is a new-to-me author, but I couldn’t love this book more. With undertones of faith, hope, and love, this beautiful story captivated me. The writing style is gorgeous; the plot is intriguing. And the characters are captivating. I loved everything about this read and hated for this story to end. 5 stars from me and I hope it will be for you too.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Content Warning: loss of loved ones, wartime violence, rape

I’m not sure that I’ll be able to adequately describe the beauty of yours is the night. First of all, the writing just feeds your soul. I can’t even decide if it was the incredible storyline or the amazing characters that kept me turning pages. I became so engrossed in the characters’ struggles, their lives and their ability to persevere. The book was obviously well researched and all of that simply added to the tale. What I appreciated most about this book was the layers of the story and the depth of the faith lessons for me. Against the backdrop of the Great War, I found a hope filled story about pursuing light and life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is struggling to fight the good fight. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Beautiful, lyrical, enchanting, uplifting are just a few of the words I find to describe the writing style of superbly talented author & wordsmith Amanda Dykes. Yours is the Night takes place during WW1, grabbed my attention, and did not let it go.

Matthew, Mira, George Picadilly, Hank Jones (Henry Mueller, journalist), and Captain Jasper Truett soon became so real to me as I got lost in this captivating story. I loved each one of them and at times found myself with tears running down my face as I read their stories.

So many wonderful quotes in this book that I actually took notes!
"But it is not mine to change what has happened," she said. "I cannot. It is mine to walk through what will come."

"I smiled, sad. And nodded. Because sure, there was plenty to be afraid of. Plenty of real, awful things. But maybe, after all, it wasn't about the presence of danger, but the presence of a God who would plunge right into it beside you."

I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it, it is one that will stay with me for a long time to come.

I love to learn when I read historical fiction. I have visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before, but I did not remember its origins. Now I will.

Yours is the Night is an absolute must-read for lovers of historical fiction written by an amazingly talented author.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and net galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own. I also pre-ordered this book for my keeper shelf.

I read a lot of historical fiction set during WWII. I have read books told from several different perspectives.
This book is certainly among the best.
It took me much longer to read this than it normally does. I would read a few chapters and it just felt like I needed to stop and absorb what had happened. The characters were well written and they made me care about them.
I will highly recommend this to the patrons at my library.

Amanda Dykes definitely has a gift with words. Her prose is beautiful and this story lays in the heart. It keeps coming back to my mind, for it is a haunting tale, a strong reminder for us all of the sacrifices made and how devastating war is. It gave me so many insights to how it was living in those times.
I did have trouble getting into this book. There were just so so many words. I felt the first half could have been condensed.
But the last half was wonderful.
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

MESMERIZING!

“The night is not to be feared. For the God who fashioned it did so with care. Knowing these days you would not sleep. Promising to draw near in the very midst of that night. When you do not slumber, neither does He.”

Rarely does an author manage to to take your breath away with each and every one of their novels, yet author Amanda Dykes has managed to do just that! First came her multiple award winning novel WHOSE WAVES THESE ARE in 2019 and then SET THE STARS ALIGHT in 2020. Now she is gifting readers with the mesmerizing novel YOURS IS THE NIGHT.

From cover to cover, YOURS IS THE NIGHT will totally and completely encompass you and keep you entranced as you read this incredibly moving story set during WWI. As I read YOURS IS THE NIGHT, I was tempted to read it as fast as I possibly could. However, I kept pausing because I realized if I read it that way, this beautiful novel would end much too soon!

This is the story of four ordinary men - a Captain, a soldier (a true “man among men”), a chaplain and a war correspondent - and a woman, “The Angel of Argonne”. Dykes’ novel is a brilliantly painted word illustration of these ordinary people believing in a call and a cause much higher than themselves. They are willing to sacrifice everything - including their very lives for the sake of freedom. These characters exemplify the the characteristics of bravery, hope, leadership, comfort, compassion, the drive to continue against all odds, and each with the willingness to sacrifice his/her life for the sake of the others. In the midst of the horrors, the darkest nights and realities of war, Dykes inserts an epic love story. It is this love story that gives the four ordinary men, extraordinary strength and courage to overcome the myriad of obstacles in their path. This is a novel that will stay with you long after you have closed the book.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence. I have preordered a copy for my own personal library as well.

World War I fiction is much harder to find than other time periods, so I jumped at the chance to read Yours is the Night. From the first chapter I was a little confused, feeling like I had landed in the middle of a story and unsure what was going on with the constant switching between characters’ points of view. However, the story is very moving to the point of tears at the end. I really enjoyed George Piccadilly’s character, and he provided a bit of levity in an otherwise heavy story. Yours is the Night at times lags, but is worth pushing through for the courageous history of our soldiers during one of the costlier wars in modern times.

Wow. This story is deeply moving and so gripping. Once again Amanda Dykes captures the reader with such eloquent and vivid descriptions that you are really transported into the world of her story. This book handled the subject of war so reverently and allowed the characters to come to life despite being in such hard circumstances. The 17th Band characters give this story life. Getting each character’s POV was a great way to get to know each of them and see their thoughts play out, which just endeared them to me even more. The richness of this story isn’t completely evident until the conclusion and yes, once again I was a tear filled mess while reading the final chapters. This story was such a memorable fictional journey and it was so worth the read.

Yours is the Night by Amanda Dykes has a beautiful synopsis that made me grab this novel. I have read the first two books by Dykes and enjoyed the writing style and the story. I have not read many novels that feature around the horror of World War I, but I have read plenty of novels that feature the nightmares circling World War II. This novel sounded interesting, and I know Dykes would do a wonderful job with it. Her writing is nicely done. I could see the mud drenches trenches that the soldiers hovered around in. I could see them coming out of these trenches to fight the Germans. While Dykes has a masterful way of showing the details of the story, I had a hard time with the plot. There was nothing really interesting happening. I got bored pretty early on, and kept switching to other novels. I know it is a World War I story, but it appears it was a history textbook with boring facts. This story did not capture my attention. The characters were flat. I really did not care what they did either. I wanted this novel to be something more, but for me, it was not. If fell really short for me. I have seen some reviews where people love it. It could just be a bad time for me to read a World War I novel.

I received a complimentary copy of Yours is the Night by Amanda Dykes from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

I don't think it's possible for me to NOT like something written my Amanda Dykes. Her writing is filled with emotion and meaning, and I grow so attached to her characters. No matter what she writes, I'll read it. She's a gifted storyteller with a clear, sweet, and moving voice.

A very different war story told in five viewpoints. This was hard to get into but was a beautifully written story. World War I in France was a hard place to be but God was always there. Readers who love history will enjoy this book.

YOURS IS THE NIGHT by AMANDA DYKES is not only a well written WW11 novel but it is the unforgettable story of Mireilles, the Angel of Argonne's, journey across war torn France to Paris with three quite unusual members of the American army - a platoon sergeant, a pseudo chaplain and a farm boy turned journalist. Their captain, Jasper Truett, who has sanctioned this, is eaten up with guilt because he abandoned his family to join the war. Mireilles fascinates him as she makes him think of his daughter and what he has lost.
The author gives us the background of these main characters which helps us to understand them.
The horrific time the men have spent in the trenches and Mira's loss of her father and grandfather, gives way to hope for the future. Mira gradually learns to trust these men, especially the gentle and strong Matthew Petticrew.
I like the references to light coming into the darkness and the reference to Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity", which speaks of the friendship that is born out of standing together in a difficult and dangerous situation. There is also the reference to the God who "neither slumbers nor sleeps" from psalm 121.
There is so much biblical truth and so much truth about human nature wrapped up in this book that it is one that should be enjoyed slowly. There is also humour provided by the indomitable George Piccadilly who calls Matthew Petticrew Broodery Broodman because of his deep sadness, strong sense of justice and urge to protect those whom he loves, and Henry Mueller, The Wet Rag. I like to see the change in George when he calls out to the Lord, after a conversation with a sheep, "Could you teach a fellow how to be?"!
It is a story about unconditional love, bravery and sacrifice.
I highly recommend Yours is the Night as being a beautiful and inspirational read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.