⋆.ೃ࿔࿐ྂfaith & fantasy⋆.ೃ࿔࿐ྂ discussion
This topic is about
Fawkes
✯Book of the Month✯
>
⭒February 2025 BotM - Fawkes [Questions]⭒
date
newest »
newest »
1. Thomas was my favorite character because his struggle seemed genuine and he really wanted to know the Truth.2. My least favorite character was Emma. Sorry everyone, but the "I'm a strong female character" vibes was too much for me.
3. I would definitely cut out a lot of the middle. It seemed really slow.
4. I enjoyed the ending, especially the part with his Father. Trying not to be too spoilery.
5. I have very mixed feelings.
So I wasn't able to finish and only got about half way, but...1. I don't think I had a favorite. I liked Norwood, his urging Thomas to use discernment and caution.
2. No one stuck out as a least favorite either.
3. I've read that this was supposed to be symbolic of Catholicism vs Protestantism, and with that in mind I really had a hard time with the violence on both sides. There were some awful people on both sides (which is sadly somewhat true of the real world, people misrepresenting the heart of their beliefs). I dunno its really hard to write about Christianity and do it justice without coming off preachy or cheesy.
4. Didn't get to it 🙈
5. I was honestly completely shocked when magic came into the picture. Reading the synopsis online there wasn't a clue about it, so it was a fun surprise. There were some things that felt like plotholes that kept pulling me out of the story, but there were some really fun descriptions too. It was really frustrating that Guy wouldn't give Thomas his mask (he could have been careful about when he wore it and hiding it if they needed someone maskless. Felt like a weak excuse). Made me not trust him and think of him as manipulative.
So I'm going to come out of the left field and have a totally different opinion than everyone so far 😂 1. Favorite character:
It's hard for me to pick one. I genuinely liked all the characters, even the bad guys. I liked that they were more complex characters, and everyone had growth opportunities. I thought Thomas was really well portrayed. I am reading the author's out-of-time series right now, and my biggest complaint is how whiny the main character came off in book 1. When Thomas started out the book, I was really concerned, but I was pleasantly surprised when he grew up.
2. Least favorite character:
I didn't really dislike any of the characters in this book; they all had a place and a reason to be in the plot. I see the point about Emma's strong personality. It is unrealistic from a historical standpoint, but we didn't have to listen to her rants for pages on end, so I didn't mind. I think I would have felt differently if she were the main character. I liked how the author approached the topics relevant to the time period; I thought it was done tastefully.
3. What would it be if you could change one part of the book?
I would have liked the storyline with Henry to be different. I don't have any suggestions; I just felt the weakest part of the whole book.
4. What did you think of the ending?
I liked it... I was definitely interested in the story most of the time. But I am a sucker for a happy ending, so I was left with mixed feelings.
5. Overall opinion:
I appreciated how the author portrayed the internal struggle and showed both sides. I am Catholic, so I appreciate the heads-up from the group on the theme, but seeing as it was about magical masks, I wasn't really bothered by the content. I was expecting much worse. I throw this book in the same category as Zombies on the Titanic, factually inspired, but it is still fiction.
I'm not sure whether my appreciation for this book comes from reading her earlier work simultaneously, but it's remarkable to observe her growth as a writer. As I read Thomas's journey, I feel a sense of admiration and pride for her development as a writer. It's genuinely impressive!
Before I drone on (too late), I really like this book a lot and would love to reread it in the future. I would like to talk about this with my kids when they're older, I think it would be really meaningful. It's important to explore how it's possible to hold right and true beliefs yet sometimes act in ways that don't align with those beliefs.
Tori wrote: "So I'm going to come out of the left field and have a totally different opinion than everyone so far 😂 1. Favorite character:
It's hard for me to pick one. I genuinely liked all the characters, ..."
I like seeing a Catholic's opinion! I really wondered. I haven't read any of her other books, so I don't have any exposure to her before this one. I might be willing to give her another shot though.
Mod
Thomas or Emma
2. Who was your least favorite character?
I guess Henry or Percy
3. If you could change one part of the book, what would it be? (Spoiler?)
The focus on Catholics versus protestants, though I did appreciate that neither side was innocent.
4. What did you think of the ending? (Spoiler tags, please!)
I thought the part with Thomas (view spoiler) was poignant. I hope Thomas and (view spoiler) will find (view spoiler).
5. As usual for me with Brandes' books, I love her characters, but don't feel particularly drawn in by her stories. On this second read, I did enjoy her writing more than the first time.
5. What was your overall opinion?
1. Who was your favorite character?
2. Who was your least favorite character?
3. If you could change one part of the book, what would it be? (Spoiler?)
4. What did you think of the ending? (Spoiler tags, please!)
5. What was your overall opinion?