Traitor Angels by Anne BlankmanPublished by Balzer + Bray on May 3rd 2016
Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Goodreads
Six years have passed since England’s King Charles II returned from exile to reclaim the throne, ushering in a new era of stability for his subjects.
Except for Elizabeth Milton. The daughter of notorious poet John Milton, Elizabeth has never known her place in this shifting world—except by her father’s side. By day she helps transcribe his latest masterpiece, the epic poem Paradise Lost, and by night she learns languages and sword fighting. Although she does not dare object, she suspects that he’s training her for a mission whose purpose she cannot fathom.
Until one night the reason becomes clear: the king’s men arrive at her family’s country home to arrest her father. Determined to save him, Elizabeth follows his one cryptic clue and journeys to Oxford, accompanied by her father’s mysterious young houseguest, Antonio Vivani, a darkly handsome Italian scientist who surprises her at every turn. Funny, brilliant, and passionate, Antonio seems just as determined to protect her father as she is—but can she trust him with her heart?
When the two discover that Milton has planted an explosive secret in the half-finished Paradise Lost—a secret the king and his aristocratic supporters are desperate to conceal—Elizabeth is faced with a devastating choice: cling to the shelter of her old life or risk cracking the code, unleashing a secret that could save her father…and tear apart the very fabric of society.
MY THOUGHTS
My experience with Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman was a slow and engaging read. But!!! Isn’t that what Historical Fiction is? Slow? This I have to say is one thing that I never understand about people. And why they complain about it. Historical Fiction novels are meant to be slow and enjoyable. I think most people either forget or just don’t know. But if you didn’t know, now you do.
But anyways, who said, you can’t learn anything from reading fiction books??? Not, I!!! Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman is a Historical Fiction with some amazing history facts about John Milton, Galileo Galilei and Paradise Lost.
I myself, love History! Any change I can get to learn new interesting facts. I’m all in. Which was the reason why I picked this one up.
Well, that and Historical fiction are one of my favorite genres. But to my surprise I got more than history. Traitor Angels was a mystery tale with scavenger hunt feel. With lots of secrets and unseen betrayal.
On top of history facts, Traitor Angels is rich in world building. If you ever wonder what 1666 ever looked like or felt like? This is the perfect book to experience that era. It was beautifully told and rich with history.
I also loved the main characters which were. Elizabeth Milton, daughter of John Milton. She was the perfect heroine and was a determined girl who really grew on me from the beginning of this story.
Antonio Vivani was Galileo Galilei apprentice in which he was sent to meet John Milton by his master. He was an ambitious and swoon worthy character that I loved as well. I tell ya, this novel had it all.
Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman was told in chronological order and unfolds slowly with the focus on history and the main characters. The plot is engaging and was very interesting. Which left me surprised by the plots ending. Anne Blankman told this story in a single viewpoint. Which was very simple and easy to understand.
The ending to Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman was a pleasurable read. It was done right and really well-researched. Which leaves me to say that I will be reading Anne Blankman, Prisoner of Night and Fog duology. I haven’t had the pleasure yet. But will soon. (Hopefully)
About Anne Blankman
Anne Blankman may have been meant to be a writer because her parents named her for Anne of Green Gables. She grew up in an old house with gables (gray, unfortunately) in upstate New York. When she wasn’t writing or reading, she was rowing on the crew team, taking ballet lessons, fencing and swimming. She graduated from Union College with degrees in English and history, which comes in handy when she writes historical fiction.
After earning a master’s degree in information science, Anne began working as a youth services librarian. Currently, she lives in southeastern Virginia with her family. When she’s not writing young adult fiction, she’s playing with her daughter, training for races with her husband, working at her amazing library branch, learning to knit (badly), and reading.
Anne Blankman is the author of PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG, the first in a three-book deal slated for publication in spring 2014 from Balzer + Bray | HarperCollins. She is represented by Tracey Adams of Adams Literary.
Helena B
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- Review: Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman - August 25, 2016
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