Thursday, February 7, 2013

A Tainted Dawn: The Great War by B.N. Peacock

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Read: January 28, 2013

August 1789. The Rights of Man. Liberty. Equality. Idealism. Patriotism. A new age dawns. And yet, old hostilities persist: England and Spain are on the brink of war. France, allied by treaty with Spain, readies her warships. Three youths - the son of an English carpenter, the son of a naval captain, and the son of a French court tailor - meet in London, a chance encounter that entwines their lives ever after. The English boys find themselves on the same frigate bound for the Caribbean. The Frenchman sails to Trinidad, where he meets an even more zealous Spanish revolutionary. As diplomats in Europe race to avoid conflict, war threatens to explode in the Caribbean, with the three youths pitted against each other. Will the dawn of the boys' young manhood remain bright with hope? Or will it become tainted with their countrymen's spilled blood? 


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B.N. Peacock's A Tainted Dawn follows the lives of a trio of young men as three of Europe's superpowers move ever closer to war. A true coming of age story, the book has plenty to offer in terms of historic content and human emotion. 

Though not specifically addressed in the cover blurb, I found my favorite aspect of the book was Peacock's exploration of the father/son relationship. Though Jemmy, Edward and Louis come from very different situations, each of the boys has a very complicated relationship with their father and I found it most interesting to see how the dynamics of that relationship played into the choices they made and courses their lives took. 

Also noteworthy is Peacock's recreation of life on board an eighteenth century ship. The author really captured the spirit of the sea, offering up a no holds barred, naked glimpse into both its pleasures and it perils. Most pieces I've encountered completely ignore or make light of the brutal conditions and strict order that ruled and dominated the lives of sailors. Peacock's honest portrayal, the obvious research she put into her work, is admirable and appealing. 

Being the first in a trilogy, I'm naturally curious where further installments will take the boys, but for the time being I found A Tainted Dawn an enjoyable read both for its memorable characters and wide historic scope.

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Yes, the sea, his mistress... a seductive woman, treacherous and not easily wooed, one whom he’s never be sure of winning, one for whom he’s already had developed a healthy respect. The wind was her scent, exciting him, arousing him. Coral reefs the jewelry of the undulating body. The waves her touch, alternately playful or punishing.
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Check out all the Stops on The Historical fiction VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR of B.N. Peacock's a Tainted Dawn!


Tuesday, January 29
Review & Giveaway at Broken Teepee
Review & Giveaway at Unabridged Chick

Wednesday, January 30

Interview & Giveaway at The Maiden’s Court

Thursday, January 31

Review at A Book Geek

Friday, February 1

Review at Book Dilettante

Monday, February 4

Review at The Novel Life
Review at Knitting & Sundries
Review at Confessions of an Avid Reader

Tuesday, February 5
Guest Post at Confessions of an Avid Reader
Wednesday, February 6
Review at The Worm Hole
Review at Kinx’s Book Nook
Thursday, February 7
Review & Giveaway at Flashlight Commentary
Interview at Knitting & Sundries

Monday, February 11
Review & Giveaway at Ageless Pages Reviews
Interview at Bibliophilic Book Blog
Tuesday, February 12
Giveaway at A Writer’s Life: Working with the Muse
Wednesday, February 13
Review at BookRamblings
Thursday, February 14
Review at Jenny Loves to Read
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews
Friday, February 15
Review at The Written World & Historical Tapestry
Monday, February 18
Review at A Bookish Affair
Tuesday, February 19
Review at Impressions in Ink
Guest Post & Giveaway at A Bookish Affair
Wednesday, February 20
Review at Words and Peace
Thursday, February 21
Giveaway at Words and Peace
Friday, February 22
Review & Giveaway at The True Book Addict



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