It’s time for my April review of the Unlocking the Past 2021 Reading Challenge. This month focused on the Civil War and Reconstruction Period. . . and I’ll be 100% honest. I didn’t get around to reading this month’s book! Between reading some unpublished books for critique partners, finishing edits, and trying to make progress on a 96,000 word rough draft, I just never made it.
By God’s blessing, one of the challenge participants in our Facebook HAD read the book and was willing to allow me to use her review for this month. I hope you weren’t like me and was able to get your book read. Don’t forget to comment on this post with what YOU read for the challenge. Would you recommend it? Details for the connected giveaway are below.
Without further ado, here is this month’s review of The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot.
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The Sentinels of Andersonville
by Tracy Groot
Today’s review is provided by Staci, who can be found on Instagram @genreadblog. THANK YOU, STACI FOR SAVING THIS MONTH’S POST FROM DISASTER!!!
This is a very well-done novel about Andersonville and the citizens of nearby Americus.
The main female character, Violet, demonstrates what it is like to be fervent for a cause with blinders on. It’s something easy to do. Watching her blinders be removed was one of the many bright spots. Violet didn’t become any less a Southern supporter but did become more human.
There was quite a bit of dry humor throughout which very much appealed to me. I also enjoyed the way characters spoke to each other in literary ways. Meanings had to be discerned rather than given freely. This is definitely a novel that could be read a second time with much more picked up with each read.
The entire novel was thought-provoking. What amount of care and concern should be shown to prisoners? There is a whole lot of gray between none and Four Seasons treatment. Finding one’s own answer to that may be more difficult than you’d first think.
This is my second Tracy Groot novel and I look forward to reading others. I recommend The Sentinels of Andersonville for those that enjoy historical fiction.
Genre: Historical Fiction, Civil War, Andersonville
Plot Overview:
Near the end of the Civil War, inhumane conditions at Andersonville Prison caused the deaths of 13,000 Union soldiers in only one year. In this gripping and affecting novel, three young Confederates and an entire town come face-to-face with the prison’s atrocities and will learn the cost of compassion, when withheld and when given.
Sentry Dance Pickett has watched, helpless, for months as conditions in the camp worsen by the day. He knows any mercy will be seen as treason. Southern belle Violet Stiles cannot believe the good folk of Americus would knowingly condone such barbarism, despite the losses they’ve suffered. When her goodwill campaign stirs up accusations of Union sympathies and endangers her family, however, she realizes she must tread carefully. Confederate corporal Emery Jones didn’t expect to find camaraderie with the Union prisoner he escorted to Andersonville. But the soldier’s wit and integrity strike a chord in Emery. How could this man be an enemy? Emery vows that their unlikely friendship will survive the war―little knowing what that promise will cost him.
As these three young Rebels cross paths, Emery leads Dance and Violet to a daring act that could hang them for treason. Wrestling with God’s harsh truth, they must decide, once and for all, Who is my neighbor?
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-a-Million Book Depository Christianbook.com
Unlocking the Past Giveaway
Comment with what you ready by May 7th, 11:59 pm to be entered to win a print copy of The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot. Open to all US and International residents, where allowed. 🙂 Fill out the Rafflecopter for extra entries.
I read and enjoyed In His Eyes by Stephenia McGee. Her novella The Heart of Home can be read along with this novel.
I love Stephenia’s books but haven’t read this one yet. I’m so glad you were able to read it. I’ve got your entries put into my database.
I read Candle in the Darkness by Lynn Austin. I have to admit, I’ve never read a book of hers that I didn’t like. She always seems to make her characters so likable even when you don’t agree with decisions made. This book set in Richmond during the Civil War took an interesting twist in that she was an abolitionist from the South. I liked how she wrestled with the choice of standing up for what she believed in, even when she knew the great cost it would be to her.
I confess to never having read her before, though I think I might have that book or one with a similar title on my shelf. I’ll have to check her out. I’m glad it was such a great read for you! It definitely sounds deep and thought-provoking! I’ve got your entries added to my database.
Wow, this sounds like such a great book and I haven’t read this author before. Adding this to my TBR pile and thanks so much for the recommendation and review.
I’m so glad you found a new book to add to your TBR pile! I can’t wait to dive into it either. Staci really raved about it.
I read Dreams of Savannah by Roseanna White. I really enjoyed both the main characters’ journeys and development as members of slave- owning families. I also really enjoyed the unique storyline and interesting historic tidbits I never knew before.
This book sounds amazing! I’ve read one book by her, I think.
That is awesome, Anne. I love Roseanna White, so I’ll have to check that out. I’ve got your entries added to my database!
I read Yankee in Atlanta by Jocelyn Green. I really enjoyed it.
I just got a copy of that book and put it in my TBR pile. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve added your entries to my database.
I read Fire By Night by Lynn Austin. It’s the second book in her Refiner’s Fire series. I really enjoyed the book and am hoping I can read the third book soon!
Oh! I didn’t realize that was a series. Now I’ll have to go back downstairs and see which ones I’m missing to add to my collection. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. I’ve added your entries to my database.
I read Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson. It was so good and I look forward to reading more books by her.
I really loved that book! I’ve got your entries added to my database.
I just purchased that book by Tracy Groot.
It was such a great deal, I couldn’t pass it up. I hope you enjoy it!
Just finished reading the excerpt of this book on Amazon and it is delicious! The language spoken was true to the characterization of that period. There were several instances of humor and thought it was funny!
It definitely looks like it was a great book. I’m disappointed that I didn’t get to it this month, but it’s at the top of my list after I finish THIS month’s book.
I am so honored to have my review featured! The Sentinels of Andersonville was my favorite novel of 2017. I loved it so much!
For the challenge, I read Field of Redemption by Lori Bates Wright
Thank you so much for reviewing it for me!! I’ve got your entries added to my database!
Well, I read a book that mentioned the father and brother going off to fight in the Civil War. Part of it was set during Civil War time, but it really wasn’t about the Civil War. I read Roots of Wood and Stone by Amanda Wen. It would be a pretty big stretch to qualify for this month’s read. LOL
I should have one for the Wild West this month, though. I’ve got and ARC of The Heart’s Charge by Karen Witemeyer. It’s releasing June 1.
I’m a little jealous of you there, Winnie. I’ve got the first book sitting on my TBR pile and book 2 already in my preorder basket. I’m not super strict about the reading challenge. I’m just glad you found something to read. I’m adding your entries to my database. I have Roots of Wood and Stone waiting on my TBR pile. My poor TBR pile is bigger than me.
My TBR pile is toppling over, too! I have soooo many I want to read, and it seems like the books are getting longer and longer these days! My reading wants are more than my actual reading speed can handle. LOL
I read In His Eyes by Stephenia McGee. Such a great book! The dream scenes were kind of weird, but the rest of the story was strong enough to compensate for it. I can’t wait to read The Heart of Home!
I love Stephenia’s books. I haven’t read that one yet though. I’ve got your entries added to my database!
For April I read “All through the Night” by Tara Johnson. It was my first book by this author and I was NOT disappointed!
I CANNOT WAIT to read that one. It’s on my TBR pile, which is totally out of control. I’ve got your entries added to my database.
I read Too Deep For Words by Andrea Boeshaar
Oh, I haven’t heard of that one. I’ll have to check it out. I’ve got your entries added to my database!
I read Where the Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson. I forgot about this post until today, so just missed entering, but the book was wonderful. The heroine pretended to be a man and fought in some battles at the start of the Civil War. So good, and very well done.
I’ve got your entries for the end of the year put in. 🙂 I loved that book. I’ll never look at a dandelion the same way again.