The Light: Tales from a Revolution - New Jersey

Tales from a Revolution Series, Book 2

By: Lars D. H. Hedbor

Narrated by: Shamaan Casey

Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

As a Quaker blacksmith, Robert is used to the challenges of fire and iron, but when the American Revolution splinters his own family and threatens his community, he will wrestle with questions of belief and philosophy. He must rely on his inner light to keep his family safe, and lead them to freedom.

The Light is Hedbor's standalone novel set in New Jersey from his Tales From a Revolution series, in which he examines the American War of Independence as it unfolded in each of the colonies. If you like heartfelt stories of how the extraordinary events of the Revolution affected ordinary people, you'll love The Light.

Buy The Light today, and experience the American Revolution as a personal journey of discovery!

©2010 Lars D. H. Hedbor (P)2018 Lars D. H. Hedbor

Follow the Light

This is an obviously well-researched novel set in the time of the American Revolution. The story centers around a Quaker blacksmith in New Jersey named Robert Harris, who struggles to reconcile his religious beliefs with the dangers and injustices of the Revolutionary War.

I found this story to be very interesting; the writing was excellent. The author obviously did a good job researching this time frame. The characters were well-developed and believable, and the events seemed authentic. It helped me to understand what life must have been like for regular people during the Revolutionary War. Also, the characters' consistent use of the terms "thee" and "thou" conveyed the sincere respect that Quakers sought to extend to everyone.

For the most part, the narrator did a great job. He had a pleasant voice that easily conveyed emotion. Some of his accents were a little off, though. Aside from that, he had a wonderful voice.

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review.

WONDERFUL HISTORICAL TALE

I was taken from my car (I listen on my daily commute) into the power of the Revolutionary War, it was captivating! I really enjoyed the writing, and I was interested from start to finish. Beautifully written and beautifully narrated, I was very happy with this audiobook and I'd definitely recommend it. I think all ages would love it! Well done!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Which is the correct path?

This is the second book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would listen to another. Ive previously listened to The Declaration.

Like in The Declaration, the characters in this story are not conveniently placed in areas of importance that have a poignant effect on the times. They could be any average person happening to be alive during this era. Their lives are, of course, influenced by the turmoil around them. This book gives a wonderful glimpse into a realistic scenario and the possible upheaval in peoples lives during the beginning of the American Revolution. It centres around a Quaker, Robert, who struggles with his religious beliefs, and a feeling of wrongdoing by the English Crown and soldiers. His livelihood is threatened many times. He relies on a few friends, and together they attempt to navigate through the upheaval and injustices while determining where their beliefs and tolerances lie.

This is the second book I’ve listened to by this narrator (Shamaan Casey, who also did the first book in this series) and I would listen to another. His attempt at an Irish accent was awkward, but his female characters were well done. I enjoyed the tone of his voice.

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review. Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

Great Historical Fiction!

I can tell lots of research went into this. It makes me feel like I’m actually there at the revolutionary war times with our main character.

The Light is Slightly Dimmer than the Others in the stand alone series

•audiobook•

This was the third book in the series I downloaded, but the fifth (and at the time, last one available on audible) I completed.

Each book is a stand alone and none of the characters cross over into the others. So it’s easy to listen and follow in any order. Also, each book’s style and POV is unique.

I especially liked the language in this book, oft noted as Olde or Proper English. It added to the authenticity and easily helped the reader/listener slip back in time.

As much as I liked the story, it was difficult to really love this book. I’m baffled why I didn’t gobble this up - it was the shortest one!

I stopped and started it numerous times in the two and half months, but it was just kind of dry? Idk.

Shamaan is a stellar voice actor and I hope he continues to gain more recognition and accepts more books to narrate!

The Light

I found this story to be very interesting.I never gave the Quaker plight in the Revolution much thought.I just figured they went their own way and were left alone.Not so.It is also a story of family,the bad,the good and what war can do to it.I think Teens and younger would get a lot from listening to or reading this book.Shamaan Casey was a very good narrator.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

A Quaker Blacksmith during the Revolution

Narrator Shamaan Casey is in the right business! He has a magnificent bass voice, and he uses it wisely. Many male narrators use a weird falsetto for female characters, but Casey changes his voice just enough to distinguish characters without sounding silly. Likewise, he imbues his voice with emotion without going over-the-top melodramatic.

As to the content of this novel, however, my reaction was basically "meh." I found it hard to get into, partly because of the way it was organized. We begin with Peter Harris, but the main character is his son, Robert. It's not until Chapter 2 that the author reveals that Robert has a wife and daughter - up to that point, I was picturing him in his late teens. I never really connected with any of the characters. This is a "home front" take on the Revolution, which I guess I should have expected with a Quaker protagonist, but without much involvement of female characters. I liked the Author's Note at the end better than the actual plot.

I would happily listen to another book narrated by Shamaan Casey, but I can't honestly say "It's great" about the overall experience, so I can't give this more than three stars.

I was provided a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

A Fun Journey Through History

I read the first book in this series and really enjoyed that one so I was excited for this one... overall I still really like this one but it wasn't the same style as the first book. Instead of the modern twist with the flash backs in time like the first book, this one was just set book during the Revolution. It tells the story of a family of Quakers and what the war looks like within their faith and the surrounding community. The old/formal way they spoke made it a little hard to listen to but I think the author did a good job trying to keep it authentic. Although I like the first book more I still really enjoyed this one and would recommend to those that like a good historical fiction.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Excellent historical !

historical-fiction, historical-places-events, historical-figures, historical-research, Quaker, audiobook, friendship, family

Where Amazon got the idea that this is a children's book is incomprehensible to me, unless it's because there is no erotica or repetitive use of the f bomb.
This well researched and crafted novella explores the personal conflicts of a Quaker blacksmith/son/husband/father/friend whose convictions lead him to believe in the Patriot cause and the problems caused by his stance among the congregation as well as those caused by an amoral man whose only cause was himself. The plot is ingenious and very well done. I thought that using the perspective of the townsfolk on December 26, 1776 was inspired!
In spite of our family's years in the Northwest Territory Alliance and being a history addict, I never really thought a whole lot about the personal problems this group faced (think Major General Nathaniel Green, or the YA book Buttons for General Washington and a number of others both fiction and nonfiction).
Shamaan Casey has an excellent and remarkable manner of narrating with his mesmerizing voice!
I requested and received a free audio copy via AudioBookBOOM.

Great Book!

This was an excellent book about the American Revolution.The Characters were well developed and likeable. The storyline was quite interesting, and addressed the Quakers views during the Revolution.. The Narrator was absolutely Amazing!!! He has a unique voice that rivals James Earl Jones and Sam Elliott! It "stays" with You. He did a super job with the Narration and his pronunciation and intonation were wonderful.. Looking forward to more projects by the Author and Narrator! Kudos!! This book was provided free of charge in exchange for a fair review. Thank you!.