[.uk] Shadow Patriots: A Novel of the Revolution (ISBN 076530550X)

Shadow Patriots:
This book was absolutely incredible for its detail. I loved reading the description of how life was in the time period. Robson's little tidbits-perfectly placed throughout the story- were so fascinating and knowing they were true added to the story. Robson made me feel as though I were there in the war and knew all the characters. It was not a typical book about the Revolution. It was captivating; I could not put it down. Its plot kept getting better and better with each page, and the ending, although sad, was perfect. The book was suprising and entertaing from the first to the last word. Kate and Lizzie were characters I adored. Kate's bravery to help her brother, and Lizzie's devotion to Seth were fantastic attributions to each character and helped me identify with them. While reading, I didn't feel as though I was learning about history, which is a perfect way for historical fiction book to be written.

Phenomenal:
After being able to hear Robson speak at my school, I was overjoyed to be given the opprotunity to read her novel. Not long after reading the book I became enthralled and unable to put the book down. Every second of the book was fascinating. The way Robson wraps the historical figures in with her fictional plot is remarkable. As far as I know the book is historically accurate and has all the great names in American history such as George Washington, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamiliton, and much much more. The main character Kate Darby is truely unique and sensational. She tears down the stereotype of a damsel in distress and proves that women can do whatever they put their minds do. Incredible Novel and quick read.

From an AP English student:
After reading books like Heart of Darkness, and Benito Cereno, Shadow Patriots was happily read. I loved the character Lizzie, her strength and personality was humerous. I also enjoyed how this book was fictional, yet didn't stretch the truth very far.

An English Student:
I read this book in my 11th grade English class not too long ago and it was so much more than I expected. The way the historical figures are mixed in with fictional characters makes it so interesting, and the mixing is so well done, you find yourself wondering who is made-up and who is not. On more than one occasion, I found myself unable to put the book down late at night. When I finished reading, I looked into some of the historical figures in the book, and Ms. Robson was very accurate with her information. All in all, this book makes history come alive!

A Big Pass:
I had favorable expectations for this book as I thought this would be a serious work. But then the writing made me think it was written for a Juvenile audience, until a couple of small parts dispelled that notion. But this work is a rather juvenile treatment of this subject, and has succeeded in making an interesting segment of history boring. There are two parts to this book. The historical story and the author invented story inserted into it. The author's story is not believable, nor are the who are thin and thoroughly forgettable characters. If I read one more story with `stock' scenes such as the boy defying his father and leaving by his bedroom window to go join the army, I'm going to scream. Coincidence after coincidence is how this novel progresses. Suspense and tension are non-existent. The only way these people get their spy information is by having free range of British residences and headquarters, and by the generals and intelligence officers leaving letters on top of desks for anyone to see, and with coded letters in the top drawer of a desks with the code books next to them. Be prepared for weaknesses. At one point a character is in an adjacent room listening through a stove between the rooms to André and Clinton rattle off their secrets to each other. She makes a noise, André comes to the room, and the girl curls up in the floor rug, which naturally André doesn't notice. But this is not the worst of it. The author forgot that André and Clinton also have two girls in their room who have heard the same secrets! The author doesn't show much historical understanding of this subject. (Also, a vacation to a historic site does not research make) One non-fiction historical work was probably referenced, such as "A Peculiar Service" by Corey Ford. Probably went through Tallmadge's memoir too. Ford's book is a much, much better read. It's written like a non-fiction novel. SP takes snippets from the history book and breezes over them so lightly that I cannot see how anyone who hasn't read about this history could get any real sense of significance in the events portrayed. There are historical inaccuracies as well. It says Washington and Howe made an agreement in Boston that if Howe didn't burn Boston, Washington wouldn't burn New York. Ludicrous! Washington didn't know where the British were going to strike next. And why would Howe tell him! The book says that Washington and Howe met at New York. It compares their heights, etc. They never met at New York. Howe sent his aides with letters. Howe met three Congressmen, not Washington. A character went to the coffee house and..."He hoped that André would mention Gustavus in conversation, and give some hint as to who the man was and what he did." It wouldn't have surprised me if the author let this happen---and that's the point. Dialogue if razor thin. The plot is not believable, as I said, coincidence and triteness. It feels like these characters are children. It's like the first plot ideas that came to mind and were developed no further. This happens a lot when the author has to get his book a year to the publisher. They could do so much better putting another year into it. As for the ending? NO. When did the English ever have qualms about hanging women, especially a spy? They hung women for stealing a loaf of bread. They would not have hanged a spy in secret. They would have hanged this woman in public as an example. Howe did hang spies. Women spies. Upside down. Thus, it would not have happened as depicted in the book. So, this is all fiction, and that's fine, but don't tout this as what really happened, and say that the story of her having a baby with Robert is "a fiction." The baby theory is more credible than what's depicted in this book. Are we to believe Arnold took the word of this one man, Birdwhistle, that Kate was a spy? That Kate is hanged on Arnold's word to Clinton, who Clinton despises? Clinton would ask, "What proof?" Arnold made a horrendous decision, but he was not an idiot. If I was Arnold or Clinton I would suspect this Birdwhistle of being the spy. This is the way historical novels should not be written. Overall Evaluation: A Big PASS