The year is 1776 and the Masters family is in the middle of the American Revolution. James Master has returned from England with his son, Weston, estranged from his wife who calls him a "colonial" and wants nothing to do with him or his family. His father, John Master, is a Loyalist, on the British side. He believes that a compromise between England and the Americans is possible. However, his son James, has surprised him by being on the other side - he is a Patriot.
This juxtaposition of two different ideologies within one family provides an interesting background upon which to paint the events of the War of Independence. The reader is forced to experience this intense struggle for independence through a divided but still loving family who must work together to ensure everyone's safety. The characters and events are all familiar to us - General Washington, Ben Franklin, John and Samuel Adams, Benedict Arnold, General Cornwallis, King George III and many others. Events such as the Boston Tea Party, Washington crossing the Delaware and the battles at Saratoga and Yorktown are depicted through the eyes of both James Master, experiencing many hardships with the revolutionary army and Loyalist Grey Albion, a friend from England who is in love with James' younger sister, Abigail.
As a reader, it is difficult not to empathize with both sides, especially because of our emotional involvement with the characters. The tumultuous events of the war may lead to a potentially disastrous outcome despite who wins. I found myself rooting for both James to be reunited without harm with his family and Grey Albion who wants to marry his sister if he survives.
Family against family, brother against brother, friend against friend, the Revolutionary War gained the Americans their independence, but at a cost to many great citizens.
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