Book 1 in the Refiner's Fire series. The daughter of a wealthy slave-holding family from Richmond, Virginia, Caroline Fletcher is raised in a cultu...
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Feb 19, 2008
Beth
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I had read a Lynn Austin book a long time ago (pre-kids, anyway) and really liked it: Eve’s Daughters, it was called. A recent message-board conversation reminded me of this author and so at the next opportunity, I snatched this from the library.
Ooooh, I LOVE historical fiction! And something about well-written historical fiction like this can really keep those pages turning. It’s thicker than many of the books I’ve taken on recently, but I finished the bulk of it in one long Saturda More...
Ooooh, I LOVE historical fiction! And something about well-written historical fiction like this can really keep those pages turning. It’s thicker than many of the books I’ve taken on recently, but I finished the bulk of it in one long Saturda More...
Jan 10, 2008
Allicia
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I picked up this book in the library and I plan on reading the three part series. I enjoyed this book and was excited to get back to it once I set it down. I realized while reading it that it is primarly catgorized as Christian Fiction, but I didn't mind the references to the bible or religion. I like historical type fiction for something to read that distracts me from normal day ongoings, and this book takes place during the civil war and seems to have the backdrop of war time done well and a
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May 21, 2008
Katharine
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 30, 2011
Abigail
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This book hovers between a 3.5 and a 4 star rating. It ranks as one of the few modern novels that I enjoy; I've read it three times now, with good spaces of time in between each reading, and this latest one still revealed some details that I had missed or forgotten. There are a number of things I like about the book: the first-person writing style, the characters, the struggles, the glimpse into the Civil War. I appreciate that the protagonist's stance on slavery is something that grows and
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Oct 12, 2011
Caitlin
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Lynn Austin is becoming one of my favorite authors. Her books are well-written, her settings and characters are full of interesting historical details, and her plots are driven by actual events and legitimately difficult struggles by her characters. She has all the things I love about the Christian romance genre - an uplifting lack of violence and salacious sex scenes (It's not so much that I'm a prude as that they're excessively difficult to write well and generally end up just being embarras
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Aug 27, 2011
Rachel
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At a young age, Caroline's eyes are opened to the injustices of slavery, leading her to join the abolitionist movement, even though no one she knows in Virginia really understands. When war breaks out, Caroline must make difficult choices between the slaves she thinks of as her friends and the love of her life.
Most of this book is written from Caroline's point-of-view and starts off by capturing the reader's interest immediately as Caroline thinks she's about to be arrested for somethi More...
Most of this book is written from Caroline's point-of-view and starts off by capturing the reader's interest immediately as Caroline thinks she's about to be arrested for somethi More...
Nov 18, 2009
rjp316
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I really enjoyed this Christian Historical Romance Fiction book. (would classify this as first Historical, then focused on Romance and then Christian.) It was very well written. I liked the fact that this book was written in the fist person - I really got to understand the struggle that Caroline faced as she did not approve of slaves, but her father owned them and her loved ones were fighting for the South – for the right to keep slaves. I really liked the Christian references, Eli’s charact
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Sep 06, 2009
Kathryn
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Apr 09, 2009
Nolan
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Well, I tend to be extremely wary of Christian fiction. My personal views differ enough from these authors that their ranting and pulpit-pounding style just does me in within seconds! So I have a personal habit of automatically determining not to read anything labeled religion or religious fiction. Fortunately for me, I saw this in a war fiction category, so I read it. And I’m thrilled that I did.
This author is apparently well known among readers of Christian fiction, having one More...
This author is apparently well known among readers of Christian fiction, having one More...
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Dec 20, 2011
Courtney
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This is really a beautiful book that effortlessly weaves Civil War history, romance, and the gospel together. I liked that the novel contained no Christian-ese at all--on the contrary, most of the great dialogue about 'Massa Jesus' was between the heroine and one of her trusted slaves, and read more as a natural response to wartime, and not anything like missionary apologetics. The characters are believable, and Austin puts a realistic face on both the Confederates and the Yankees, so that nei
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Apr 16, 2011
Hannah
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Caroline Fletcher is torn. While in her heart she knows that slavery is a moral evil, her love for her father, cousin, and fiance strangles her ability to choose right from wrong as the Civil War plunders the United States. Ultimately, she must choose...but to say what, how, or why would result in a fearful spoiler.
So I won't. I'll only hint that her choice isn't as clear-cut as it appears.
There's certainly something to be said for Lynn Austin's writing talent. She has a way More...
So I won't. I'll only hint that her choice isn't as clear-cut as it appears.
There's certainly something to be said for Lynn Austin's writing talent. She has a way More...
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Apr 12, 2011
Jennifer
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This book proved to me that you can't always judge a book by the first 30% of it. I was so close to dumping this book at that point - I was tired of the cliche, the cheesy romance, and the lack of spiritual depth in the characters; it just felt like another run-of-the-mill cheap Christian novel. But I decided to hang on a little longer and the last 70% of the book more than redeemed the first part and elevated my respect for Lynn Austin's storytelling skills by several notches.
In sh More...
In sh More...
Mar 01, 2011
Keri
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I was looking for a free book on my kindle and ran across this one. It sounded interesting so I downloaded. I am so glad I did. I loved this book for many reasons: 1. The way it was written was well thought out and drew you into the story with the very first sentence. 2. The main character was real, with real feelings, dilemmas and hardships. She was someone you could expect to meet on the street or next door. 3. I love historical fiction! This book really put you in some of the same s
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Mar 04, 2008
Kristine
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This book has very strong Christian themes, which may bother certain people, but I really enjoyed it. The slave characters were strong and influential and the author really teaches Civil War history in an interesting way through the eyes of these characters. Sometimes I thought Caroline went a bit too far in her desire to "do what was right", but overall I was very intrigued and enjoyed it to the end.
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Mar 11, 2009
Annie
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Good. Civil War historical fiction. Got a little dramatic at times (I think just trying to push the frail southern lady character). Clean.
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May 10, 2011
Susan
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Another great book by Lynn Austin. The main character, Caroline, was someone I came to appreciate as she stood up for what was right no matter what the cost to her reputation or life. I loved how she recognized that every human being has value no matter what their race or color. From the beginning she was able to understand that her father's slaves had hopes and dreams just like she did. Many people who owned slaves in that time treated them well enough, but didn't think twice if it was necess
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May 16, 2010
Stephanie
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Wow! I loved this book!
I haven't read Lynn Austin in awhile. Her "Gods and Kings" series is awesome and she's probably my favorite Christian fiction author.
This book was set in Civil War times and I love historical fiction!
Caroline Fletcher grows up in Virginia at the height of the South's golden age. Although she was practically raised by the slaves her father owns, she begins to see them as people as she grows up. As this happens, she is forced to make difficu More...
I haven't read Lynn Austin in awhile. Her "Gods and Kings" series is awesome and she's probably my favorite Christian fiction author.
This book was set in Civil War times and I love historical fiction!
Caroline Fletcher grows up in Virginia at the height of the South's golden age. Although she was practically raised by the slaves her father owns, she begins to see them as people as she grows up. As this happens, she is forced to make difficu More...
May 15, 2010
Kasi
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Book 1 in the Refiner's Fire series. The daughter of a wealthy slave-holding family from Richmond, Virginia, Caroline Fletcher is raised in a culture that believes slavery is God-ordained and biblically acceptable. But upon awakening to the cruelty and injustice it encompasses, Caroline's eyes are opened for the first time to the men and women who have cared tirelessly for her. Her journey of maturity and faith will draw her into the abolitionist movement, where she is confronted with the risks
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Oct 19, 2011
Lyndi
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I really enjoyed, I had a history lesson as well as a story! Always good when you can get educated as well as entertained. It was nice hearing from both the North and the South sides regarding why they thought they were in a war with each other. I love how Austin gave you perspectives even from the slaves points of view. Some commented that they didnt think Eli was realistic, I felt the opposite. I liked how being a slave he still had a heart for God and not bitter, he really appreciated th
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Jun 30, 2011
Camille
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I truly loved this whole trilogy. My book club started with the third book in the series, and I loved it so much that I HAD to read the other two. Each one is set during the civil war and each story is told from different view points during parallel times. One time we read about a slave owner and her slaves. Another book covers a slave owner who is sympathetic to the slaves and helps them. And the third book covers a young girl who serves in the war. All the characters cross over with each
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Aug 30, 2010
Erin
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My reading lately has (unintentionally) had a decidedly "racial" slant. The last three books I've read have been set in the Civil War, 1960's Deep South, and post Pearl Harbor America (with Japanese internment camps, etc.)respectively. As I read these stories I'm alternately aghast and ashamed of the way people are capable of mistreating other people. I feel grateful to be living in "more enlightened" times; then, at a book club last week, I heard of 2 young boys at church
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Dec 28, 2008
Nora
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Didn't realize it was "christian" fiction as religion seems to be woven into the story in a very natural and believable way. This would be a lovely book for teenagers trying to understand the Civil War and the basic rights of humans. The story line is well tread but engaging enough to continue reading.
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Jan 28, 2010
Karma
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This was a very enjoyable book to read. I didn't find the characters very believable and thought the ending was extremely unrealistic but I don't think the author intended true realism. I loved all the historical information about the civil war - I am amazed at how long it took the North to win the war when they should have won so quickly considering having more men, better supplied, etc. etc. I really enjoyed the southern perspective of the book and cried a great deal. It gives you a very p
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Feb 01, 2012
Coucher de soleil
rated it:
If I had to describe this book in one word I would have to choose the word 'forgettable'.
I did enjoy reading this book and was entertained while I was reading it.
However, on the negative side of things, I couldn't help but feel that I had read this book before in the sense that it appeared to me to resemble what has been done before and some elements could even be termed 'cliché'. For instance, the main couple meeting and having a relationship which is at first antagoni More...
I did enjoy reading this book and was entertained while I was reading it.
However, on the negative side of things, I couldn't help but feel that I had read this book before in the sense that it appeared to me to resemble what has been done before and some elements could even be termed 'cliché'. For instance, the main couple meeting and having a relationship which is at first antagoni More...
Jan 31, 2012
Sarah
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I would even rate this book 5 stars, but I started reading it just as I was finishing Gone with the Wind, so back to back stories about the Civil War (although very different) was a bit much for me.
I was hooked from the first page, there weren't ever any dragging moments for me, in fact, the last 60-70 pages of the book I couldn't put it down. The one thing I found frustrating is the main character is risking her life over and over again for her black servants aka friends, but I never More...
I was hooked from the first page, there weren't ever any dragging moments for me, in fact, the last 60-70 pages of the book I couldn't put it down. The one thing I found frustrating is the main character is risking her life over and over again for her black servants aka friends, but I never More...
Aug 05, 2011
What a wonderful read! I enjoyed this from beginning to end. This historical fiction follows a young woman through the civil war years in the city of Richmond. I found the Biblical references to be such a blessing! So many Christian fiction books I read seem to just have scripture thrown in here and there to make it fit in the Christian category but Lynn Austin did such a wonderful job at using scripture in the everyday lives of her characters. The characters in this story are so real. I was tou
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Feb 28, 2011
Michelle
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Overall, this was a very enjoyable read of historical fiction. The writing is solid if nothing special, and the main character is someone you can root for. This IS Christian fiction, and I almost didn't read it for that reason. My one other experience with Christian fiction was extraordinarily bad (see my review of A Woman Called Sage), so I was going to set it aside. But I read another review from someone who said she normally wouldn't read Christian fiction either, but that this didn't bot
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Aug 04, 2011
Rita
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I decided to try this because it was free on my Nook one week. I was overwhelmed with how much I loved this story. The heroine takes a brave stand against slavery in a time when it wasn't popular or safe for her to do so. She is guided by a very wise and saintly 'slave' who captured my heart and held it with his wise counsel to her and his Godly attitude about being a servant as unto the Lord. I was inspired and humbled by this character.
The story was exciting, had a thread of romance More...
The story was exciting, had a thread of romance More...
Oct 24, 2009
Ivy
rated it:
The story was good, but the main character, Caroline, was so incredibly irritating the book seemed to take forever to get through.
It takes place in Richmond, Virginia, during the Civil War, and the main character is Caroline, an abolitionist who is torn between her belief in freedom for slaves, and her family and friends, including her betrothed, who are slave holders.
Caroline is an avid abolitionist, unless she's talking to her fiance, Charles, when she manages to forget her views. More...
It takes place in Richmond, Virginia, during the Civil War, and the main character is Caroline, an abolitionist who is torn between her belief in freedom for slaves, and her family and friends, including her betrothed, who are slave holders.
Caroline is an avid abolitionist, unless she's talking to her fiance, Charles, when she manages to forget her views. More...
May 27, 2010
Kelly
rated it:
I've enjoyed Lynn Austin's books so far. Her writing is not overly detailed, her characters are realistic.
This is Book 1 in the Refiner's Fire series. The daughter of a wealthy slave-holding family from Richmond, Virginia, Caroline Fletcher is raised in a culture that believes slavery is God-ordained and biblically acceptable. But upon awakening to the cruelty and injustice it encompasses, Caroline's eyes are opened for the first time to the men and women who have cared tir More...
