The Men of Grit Series: The Boy Colonel, Brother at Arms, and Secret of the Lost Settlement

The Men of Grit Series are my all-time favorite fiction books. Period.

Battles, fist-fights, buried Inca treasure, secrets, lost settlements, Ancient Romans, Pacific islands, humor, wit, originality, solid Biblical teaching, and of course, the inescapable romance (Grrr), and more fill these books. What more do you ask for? (Except maybe a break from romance?)

The Boy Colonel

The first in the series, The Boy Colonel, is very special to me, as it was this book which inspired me to write my upcoming novel His Father's Command (info found here). The idea and plot of The Boy Colonel is like nothing I've ever read. Horn, with his very first novel, has managed to create an unrivaled adventure novel, aimed at teenage boys (yet so well-written I would recommend it to anyone!), and epic in it's message and medium.

A young 'boy' is colonel of a unusual regiment in the British Army fighting in the snowy wastelands of Siberia. Yet he goes by the mysterious name of Colonel Nobody. Life is hard commanding the 42nd regiment, yet that is not the least of his problems. An envious superior wants him dead, he is betrothed, despite his wishes, to the king's ward (Sigh. This is the romance. But it's at least tolerable), and a rich fop will stop at nothing to claim her.  Will he stand for what is just and noble, or will he take the coward's out?

This book is definitely beyond any other boy's book I have read, especially considering it's a debut novel. One aspect I really appreciated was the multitude of ethical and moral dilemmas Colonel Nobody and his comrades face, always making their decisions off the Bible. Drinking, dancing, assassinations, just wars and more, even if you don't agree with
Nobody's standards, you will have to admit, he strives to live by the Bible alone.

This book was gripping, slightly emotional (big emphasis on the slightly part), and inspiring. This is a book I'll recommend to all seeking a clean, Godly, and truly manly book.

Brothers at Arms 

 

The next in the series, Brothers at Arms, is not exactly a sequel. Mention is made to a few of the characters in The Boy Colonel so I recommend reading The Boy Colonel first, but the story is completely unconnected. Yet, I must admit, I do not know which Men of Grit book is better. While The Boy Colonel is set in snowy Siberia, (and balmy South Sea islands) and involves battles, escapades, epic sword-fights and it's message is reliance upon God and doing what is right, Brothers at Arms is a little different. The story hops from countryside England to wartime Spain to the jungles of Peru, and features hidden treasure, mysterious villains, love (Grrr again), headhunters, jungles and more.

Two identical twins, Chester and Lawrence, are the objects of an experiment maintained by their father.  One would be strictly trained as a philosopher, and the other let run wild. The result: Lawrence, the trained one, is expert in and lover of mathematics, science and theology, and Chester, is adventure-loving, sword-knife-pistol-and-fist-wielding, and expert in every outdoor recreation thinkable. Yet when Chester runs away to join the army in Spain, Lawrence follows his father's bidding to find and protect Chester. While they are there, they rescue a Spanish Don from near assassination. Then when they are hired on as bodyguards to the Don, the whole gaggle journey to Peru, fleeing from a mysterious, but dangerous and disappointed suitor of the Don's ward, Pacarina. They escape to the inland jungle, but then Pacarina reveals she holds a hundreds-year old secret, the location of the lost Inca's buried treasure.The adventure is on. (Oh, and not to forget the romance is very original and surprising, which makes it a little likeable. Just a little.)

There were many things I liked about Brothers at Arms; the crackling humor and wit, the originality of a scholar narrating an adventure story, the mystery, the suspense, and the inspiring message of the quest for a right relationship between two very different brothers. Once again, a manly tale I heartily recommend to anyone!

Secret of the Lost Settlement

 

Secret of the Lost Settlement is a very original (I know, your getting weary of that word, but it's the most fitting description for the whole series) sequel to the series, combining both previous books for another epic, inspiring, and memorable tale of men of grit.

Anyhow, I won't go into the synopsis, as it may spoil some of the plot for the first two books. However, if you don't think it matters, I suggest reading my previous review on the book here.

But I must warn you, this is my least favorite book in the series, and was somewhat disappointing. The revolution Colonel Nobody, Stoning brothers and co. start is Biblically questionable, at least in my perspective. I'm no pacifist, yet Romans 13:1 must not be ignored. There is no example in Scripture of a response to persecution being revolt. None.

Also, the tone of Secret Settlement is slightly different then the rest. Darker, more violent and gritty, less funny, and way more unrealistic (Victorian Brits fighting Ancient Romans in Greenland?), the book was sad and almost depressing. Very little of the troubles were resolved. And yes, I will admit (and this is a big pro for the book), this was one of only two books I cried during reading. And after surfacing from this book, you will be fine with men, manly men too, shedding a few tears. It's that awesome. And epic.

Soli Deo Gloria,

The Book Adventurer

From the Dark to the Dawn: A Tale of Ancient Rome

By Alicia A. Willis

 

Review:

Short version: This book will change your life.

Long version: This book was one of the best I read! Written by a passionate historian and eloquent author, this book, in truth, impacted me beyond words.

The plot is not intricately complex, yet it is powerfully deep. Philip is a British captive, carried to Rome and sold to the troubled and brutal master, Marcus. However, Philip is soon changed by the gospel and his life is turned around. Yet persecution awaits...

 This book is spiritually deep. There are so many lessons and themes in it, I don't know where to start. Faith, perseverance, forgiveness, and the power of prayer are all in here, and more. This is a book I will read over and over again, and always learn something new.

The emotional drama of the book captivated me, and when I finished, I lived in a dream for days afterwards. You also, I am sure, will be richly blessed by the one-of-a-kind novel, From the Dark to the Dawn.

I recommend this book to all Christian young people and adults who are seeking a powerful, God-glorifying, historical novel. You will be richly encouraged, and left with a deep impression of what it means to serve God and deny everything for him.

I also recommend this to all unbelievers who are troubled and miserable with their estate, and are seeking a change. This book with give you the Answer.

Soli Deo Gloria,
The Book Adventurer

Prisoners of the Sea

by Florence M. Kingsley

Mystery. Adventure. Heroism. Escapades. Battles. Trust in God.

What to all these elements make, collected together in one cover? A must-read novel, which I will devour, and strongly recommend to you!

The amazing Victorian author Mrs. Florence Kingsley has put forth an action and adventure drama which will captivate you, and will leave hanging until the very end, where you will be shocked by one of the most fascinating anecdotes of French history!

Now, enough of the rants. Let's get to the actual points I like, and then a few complaints I had when reading this book. But first, let me give you a brief description of the plot.

The Plot

Five persons, very different from one another in varying ways, are shipwrecked on a mysterious, abandoned island. When one is kidnapped, the others must deal with convicts and officers searching for something. Who did the island belong to? Why did they leave? Why is kidnapped Baillot taken to England, and why won't they tell him who they think he is? Found out in this exiting story, interwoven will the persecuted Huguenots' unshaken faith in their God, whose providence they can rely on. Take up and read!

What I Liked

First, I greatly enjoyed the narratives that took place at sea. By the title, you can see this is a tale based on exiting sailing adventures. Your surmises are correct. Shipwrecks, abandoned yachts, navel engagements, pirates, and more are the noteworthy episodes in this tale. I learned a lot about life at sea from reading this book. (The only other book I learned more about navel life is Conduct and Courage by G. A Henty. Heartily Recommended.)

Second, the vocabulary was rich, and can satisfy any Scrabble champion. There is even more then a hundred footnotes!

Third, the time period was wonderfully explained and made quite intriguing. The story is set during the days of Louis XIV, from the point of view of the Huguenots. The French nobility are villains, and conman English sailors are heroes in this tale. (However, I did find deprecatory words given to Aricans. Sad bias in the author's day.)

Finally, the Christian, biblical worldview I found in the book is my greatest commendation. The characters are never tired of finding and proclaiming God's providential hand in their 'circumstances'. They 'hate that which is evil and cleave to that which is good'. They explain God's way of salvation to lost sinners. They uphold their faith under tremendous persecution. This will edify you greatly.

What I Didn't Like So Much

First, the needless mush. I know, romance, if told biblically is acceptable. (It's even in the Bible.) But in an adventure story, it gives a sour taste if it does not relate to the plot. It doesn't here. It could have been easily dispensed with. However, despite the subtitle, (A Romance in the Days of Louis XIV), there isn't much. And I have to admit, this is but my preference.

Second, the plot. This is not a preference, but a matter of writing skills. Yes, its exiting and captivating, but there is two points wrong with the plot.

(1) It is extended too long. It could have been cut by half, and not lose anything. The answers are not given till the last chapter. That may not be a problem, expect that the tension gets long, and you feel like skipping to the end. That is not a good feeling.

(2) There are unresolved points in the mystery. That would never pass a modern editor. I wouldn't tell you what those are, for it will ruin the tale for you.

Conclusion

After weighting the positive and negative aspects of the novel, I'll declare that the what I liked far out weighted what I didn't like. I strongly, strongly, STRONGLY recommended this book to young men who what a good adventure plot that glorify God. Once again, tolle lege, take up and read.

Soli Deo Gloria,
The Book Adventurer

Purchase the Book on Amazon here
PRISONERS OF THE SEA (RARE COLLECTOR'S SERIES) by Florence M. Kingsley 

Secret of the Lost Settlement

The Duty of Warriors

Hello Again,

This is my first book review of this blog, and it is about one of my favorite novels, The Secret of the Lost Settlement from the Men of Grit series.

This action-packed book is a must for all young men. The stories of Colonel Nobody and the Stoning brothers are continued as they unite against a common enemy: a wanna-be-Nero Caesar in a lost Ancient Roman settlement in the middle of Greenland. Christians are being persecuted, and Little Caesar wants something that belongs to Lawrence. The adventure is on!
 
Despite the few faulty themes and historically inaccurate viewpoints, this story is vividly realistic in its portrayal of war, betrayal, and the evils of Roman civilization. 

Yet Horn remains the same, sprinkling his tale with his characteristic humor and wit, and most of all, Scripture-spouting heroes. You will be drawn to the characters and very few things will persuade you to leave this deep, complex, and God-glorifying novel. 

This is Horn at his best.
 
What is the duty of warriors? Find out in the exciting book The Secret of the Lost Settlement by John Horn. Enjoy. 

Purchase it from Amazon:
Buy The Book
(Note: The book is currently out of print which explains the ridiculously expensive price.) 

I hope to review the previous books in this series soon,

Until next time,

The Book Adventurer