Review: The Fiddler's Gun by A.S. Peterson and Signed Book Giveaway!!!

If you enjoy reading historical fiction, I highly recommend this book! The Fiddler’s Gun is set in Ebenezer, a suburb of Savannah, GA. Phinea Button is a young woman who has lived in an orphanage since she was an infant. Phinea, more affectionately known as Fin to the other orphans, was a tomboy and a troublemaker, often pulling pranks on the women who ran the orphanage. The younger orphans considered Fin to be their protector, getting into a number of fights with the older kids who were being bullies.

In an effort to civilize Fin into a proper lady, Fin was sent to work in the kitchen with Bartimaeus. It’s there that Fin begins to learn about the war that’s brewing and the oppression of the colonies from the British government. Initially, Fin hopes to avoid the coming war because all she wants is to marry her best friend Peter, who was also an orphan. When British soldiers begin to show a greater presence in the area, the situation goes sour.

Fin has a bad run-in with some soldiers, which leads to events that inadvertently throw her into the war. Having no choice, Fin must leave her home and Peter. In Savannah, Fin is mistaken for a boy and pressed into work on a merchant ship. While at sea, Fin encounters British marines, dangerous seas, pirates, and more! From sea battles to treasure hunts, there is no lack of excitement in Fin’s life once the British come to town!

I can’t recommend this book enough! I was instantly drawn to the book by the attractive cover! A number of people have asked me what I’m reading because the cover art caught their attention. The title is written in a very cool script that integrates the design of a fiddle down the middle. In the foreground, there is a ship’s wheel and branches covered in Spanish moss, and in the background you can see a ship on the ocean. You immediately gain a sense of adventure on the high seas just from looking at the cover!

The writing was fantastic and flowed well. Throughout the book, the author constantly introduces the reader to new characters. Even with so many characters, I never had trouble keeping track of who was who or who was speaking. You learn the history behind the primary characters, and grow attached to them as you learn about their lives. I found myself crying a couple of times! I love how each detail ends up tying back into the main plot. Characters and even personal items that initially seem insignificant come to light later in the book as the key to some incredibly important situation (Think “Tom Riddle’s Diary” in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and how you learn the true significance of it in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince).

The plot itself was very interesting, keeping my attention throughout the book. I couldn’t put it down! The plot is initially a bit slow as Fin is dealing with life at the orphanage, but within a few chapters, the story is off and running as Fin escapes to a life at sea. Once Fin joins the crew of the ‘Snake, there’s a never ending deluge of activity keeping Fin and the crew busy. The author manages to mentally paint every scene for the reader, describing everything from the appearance of the ship deck to the stench of the guy standing nearby. You become so immersed in the story that you feel like you’re standing on deck with the crew!

This was my first foray into historical fiction based around the Revolutionary War, and I couldn’t have had a better introduction! This book has so many great plot elements- a strong, independent heroine, adventure, patriotism, pirates, treasure, sword fights, romance… I could go one for ages! You really must try this book! It will make you laugh out loud, cry, and everything in between! If you buy it from The Rabbit Room (the link to the left), and you get the book club bundle, the books are all signed! Give it a read! I can’t wait for Book Two!


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*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. The author also provided a copy for a giveaway.