Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: 2021 (FIRTH)
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review by: Elanor McBay
Quick Summary (No Spoilers)
A young man has just lost his father, then discovers he is being turned out of his home and business too. He has nowhere to turn and ends up being conscripted into the army to fight in the brutal civil war between King and Parliament.
This novel follows Tom Tyler as he rediscovers who he is whilst caught up in all kinds of dangerous scenarios. The friends and foes he meets along the way are all fascinating characters and some are real historical figures too.
The attention to detail is thorough, though I am not a historian by any means, but it really brings the story to life and allows you to peak into the past and see what life was like.
This is a fast paced adventure full of twists and turns, set in 1600s Dorset during the English Civil War which sees Tom and his friends as the underdogs you are really routing for right up until the exciting conclusion.
First Impressions
This is not my usual choice of book I will admit, but from the first chapter I was drawn into
the story and the characters and intrigued to discover where things would go. I felt quickly
immersed in Tom’s world.
Narrative & Characters
The book is told from Tom’s point of view, but does give other characters a voice at times.
The characters are well formed and relatable, really bringing the story to life. I also love how
Steve has used real historical figures in amongst his own created characters.
Themes & Tone
This story is set during a civil war. It can be at times fairly horrific as you might expect, but
remains about the human experience rather than dwelling on the horror of war. There are
themes of friendship, coming of age and love mixed in with the fighting and daredevil
missions.
Twists, Pacing & Payoff
The twists in this novel are as much about the journey through Dorset as the way things go
for our heroes. The pacing is fast, there is always something happening and never much time
to rest, and the chapters are relatively short which helps with this. The conclusion is short
and sweet and leading onto the next book nicely.
Writing Style
Cox’s style is that of an enthusiastic storyteller who guides you through every incident with
care and attention to detail. The historical references are a constant presence and really help
to set the scene. I feel like I learned a lot of the actual history of this time in reading this
book, but without feeling in the least bit weary of it. They were tough and challenging times
for everyone.
Perfect For Fans Of:
- Bernard Cornwell (Sharpe series)
- Alexandre Dumas (The Three Musketeers)
- By The Sword Divided – a drama series I remember from my youth set in the English Civil War
Final Thoughts
As the Sparks Fly Upwards is a historical march through the Dorset countryside alongside
characters who could be very real and are caught up in the machinations of the rich and
powerful, simply trying to stay alive and look out for each other.
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