Lost Cause

Seven #2

by John Wilson

Steve travels to Spain and uncovers his late grandfather's involvement in the Spanish Civil War.

Genres: Adventure, Fiction, Young Adult, Teen, Historical Fiction, Canada, Canadian Literature

217 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

John Wilson, an ex-geologist and frustrated historian, is the award-winning author of fifty novels and non-fiction books for adults and teens. His passion for history informs everything he writes, from the recreated journal of an officer on Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition to young soldiers experiencing the horrors of the First and Second World Wars and a memoir of his own history. John researches and writes in Lantzville on Vancouver Island. There are many more details in his memoir, Lands of Lost Content, https://www.amazon.com/Lands-Lost-Con...

Reviews

[Tracy Tang · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending is so cute! Laia is such a good match for him! <3

[LeslecturesdeMylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://www.leslecturesdemylene.com/20...

17/20 - J'ai adoré voyager en Espagne avec Steve et découvrir un pan de l'Histoire !

[Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this series recently, and I started with the second book in the series. I don't think it makes much of a difference where you start in the series because they are all different stories. They interconnect with how they are each on an adventure (through their grandfather's will) but aside from that each book in the series seems to be a book unto itself. Meaning, if you like one type of book better than another you might have more options in this series because they are not all completely the same. In fact each of the seven books in the series is written by a different author.
Overall, the book was alright. It is a very quick read and can easily be entertaining for boys and girls. There is adventure and mystery involved. However, the mystery is more of a personal goal for the young boy in the novel than a true mystery. Not all of the questions have answers, and that can be frustrating to some readers. So, if you need all the answers at the end of the book I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book. There is a sense of adventure in this book, and it has great historical content, so if as a reader you are interested in history and especially Spanish history I would give this book a try. Like I stated earlier, it is a very quick book to get through, which makes it both good and bad. Good because it's a quick read if you aren't an avid reader and bad because it doesn't completely suck the reader into the story. It could be a better book, but I wouldn't dismiss it if you want something quick and light to read.

[Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

2020 Review:
I liked this book much more this time round than the first time (bumping it up from 3 to 4 stars). Lots of history related to the Spanish Civil War.


2016 Review:
The second book of The Seven Series (a collaboration between 7 authors, each writing a story about a grandchild of a deceased grandfather).

I did not enjoy this book quite as much as the first of the series (Between Heaven and Earth). Some of the writing seemed very forced, and there wasn't as much flow to it. The story of the second grandchild was interesting. Steve's story took him to Spain, and went through much of the history of the Spanish Civil War. This was the most interesting part of the book, as beforehand, I knew nothing about this period in time. Steve's grandfather was part of the International Brigades, and Steve follows his grandfather's journey by reading his journal. At times I did actually pull up Google to search some of the information presented in the book. All of it was historically accurate. I learned more than I had expected about the Spanish Civil War!

Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Having 7 different authors write 7 different stories gives a unique perspective into each grandson. Two down, five to go!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect from this book but was looking for a book for students at school and grand kids. I was pleasantly surprised. John Wilson does a good job portraying both a young adult's attitude and the realities of war - not an easy task. Steve, the main character, is assigned the task of going to Spain to pick-up a package left by his deceased grandfather. He's not sure about the assignment as he didn't understand his grandfather but because he wishes to travel and since his grandfather's estate will pay for the trip he agrees. What he doesn't expect is to be so moved by his grandfather's experiences during the war. Wilson does a wonderful job of describing how Steve's grandfather moves from an idealist to someone who has faced the realities of war. What affected me the most was the stories from the modern day residents. This book is the second in a series of stories about grandsons each having a different author giving each book a singular voice - an interesting premise. Will read the rest.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a story about what one's grandfather did in his youth!
Reminded me of Ernest Hemingway's book, "For Whom the Bells Tolls" & " A Farewell to Arms".
I was also reminded of the Finn-Russian War, " A Frozen Hell" & "The Darkest Evening", "Dancing Under the Red Star" "The Winter War" and about Norway's resistance fighters.

[Lgeorge · Rating 1 out of 5]

Forgettable ... I became excited about the series because I loved the premise and I loved Between Heaven and Earth. I loved the first book because Eric Walters is an amazing writer. This book is my second read in the series and it did nothing to pull me in and keep me interested.

[PJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bad idea reading a book about war on Christmas Eve...but the book was well written and kept me interested throughout the book.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Lost Cause” the second book in the “Seven” series, each written by a different author begins when Steve’s grandfather sends him on a quest to Spain to hunt for a trunk of his grandfather’s possessions accumulated during the Spanish Civil War. Meeting up with Laia he unlocks the trunk safeguarded by her family, discovering a journal his grandfather wrote while serving in the International Brigade during the war. Together he and Laia decide to retrace his grandfather’s footsteps through the battlefields and ruined towns of Spain that left their mark on the young soldier’s life with all their tragedy, heartbreak and death.

Historically-based the plot is riveting as Steve and Laia take a trip back in time through the eyes of his grandfather as he transforms from being naïve, romanticising the war against Fascism to facing the cold realities of war. Vividly John Wilson brings to life the sights and sounds of Spain as well as the landscape of a war where a church is bombed killing women and children, and anti-Fascist supporters are massacred. Experiencing the past Steve quickly learns about how complicated life can be as well as about the horrors of war, while drawing close to Laia whose friendship he’s determined to keep unlike the love his grandfather was forced to leave behind. Emotionally-charged and captivating the plot is enthralling from beginning to end.

Dreaming of travelling Europe but without money or a job, seventeen-year-old unorganized and insecure Steve is given the opportunity to travel along his grandfather’s path during the war years in Spain. Disliking that his brother DJ is so unlike him with his self-assurance, optimism and superior attitude, in gaining more confidence and a different perspective as he travels with Laia, the tables turn as it's Steve who will support and encourage DJ.

I thoroughly enjoyed “Lost Cause” a well-written and fascinating journey as Steve traces his grandfather’s footsteps back in time through a bloody war that held no triumph but only pain and heartache.

[Jeannie · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this is being promoted as a high interest book, it was a lost cause indeed. Good grief, could it have been any less interesting? I recently finished Allende's Long Petal of the Sea which starts with the Spanish Civil War, leaving me even more interested in reading about this part of history especially since my husband's ancestors were Spanish. However, there was no mystery as advertised and no real plot. In all fairness, maybe the Canadian involvement in the Spanish Civil War would be more interesting to Canadian students, but this would be lost on my students in the United States especially without a little more background. Without additional information woven in, I think it will be confusing to students less aware of the history to figure out that the communists are the good guys in the story. In the book, Hitler is mentioned as a Fascist, and war crimes are mentioned, but I still think this could confuse some students. Anyway maybe I'll wander off and read a little Hemingway instead...

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steve and his cousins attended the reading of his grandfather’s will. Each grandchild was given a particular task to complete. Steve, who had been saving money to travel to Europe, inherited passage to Spain along with a mystery to solve. He was to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and learn something about his grandfather’s history during the Spanish Civil War in 1938. When Steve arrived, he contacted Laia, Maria’s great granddaughter. Maria was a woman his grandfather met while in Spain. Steve and Laia follow the trail of his grandfather’s experiences during the war which tell the story of a meaningful interlude in his life. It was interesting to learn about that part of Spanish history. Written for older teenagers, I found the story engaging and informative. This book is part of a seven part series.

[Stacey Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the seven series where seven grandsons have tasks to do presented to them in their grandfathers will. Steven's task is to go to Barcelona where his grandfather served with other Canadians aiding the Spaniards as they fought fascism in 1937. He was part of the International Brigades, thousands of Communists from different countries who went to Spain to help fight the Fascist Army rebellion. Steven's guide is Maria's great grand daughter Laia who captures Steve's attention right off just like Maria captured his grandfathers attention years ago. Steve's journey to find out the history of his grandfather and the people who lived in that region makes for a great story.

[Christine J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 in the 7 Series. I like the idea of 7 authors writing the 7 stories. The different voices work well for each character. This is only the second one I have read but I didn’t like it as much as #1, mostly because grandfather’s journal tells most of the story and Steve doesn’t really need to travel to any of the locations except the first one. I wish more real clues were at each spot. Still, it’s a quick read and good for kids who like history/war stories.

[Sarak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whoops, wrong book. This second book in the series has one of the grandsons off to Spain to find out about his grandfather's actions during the Spanish civil war.The story is educational without being too preachy. The girl/boy interaction was realistic and not too romancy. There are still mysteries in the grandfather's life.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow 17-year-old Steve as he traces his grandfather's journey through Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Steve is one of seven grandsons, each of whom has his own journey to undertake. The story give insight to the Spanish Civil War and its effect on the people in its path.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a great gift a Grandfather can give his descendants. Interesting subject about the war and the grandsons journey. I too felt the ending wasn't complete. It is a series and interested in the first book of this series.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this collaborative series. Each is special in its own way and told in a different voice. This one spoke to me more than the first. I identified more with the story and its characters than in the first story in the series. Well done!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent read. I enjoyed that Wilson got in a lot of history in various ways - diaries, tales by elders, museum displays, etc. I think I might have gotten into the book more had I been in the target audience.

[Awsam]

I didn't even get to read it yet u idioits

[Olivia Cardillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very slow-paced. Nothing interesting until the grandfather's journal and no stakes. I was not invested in the story whatsoever.

[Seth · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was an amazing backstory history finding book and I would read it again and again it was the best book ever

[Shell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like it. I simply did not enjoy it,

[Lealuvsreading · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was really slow and boring. I felt like I found myself skipping a lot of text because of that. I didn’t read as much as I wanted to because it didn’t pull me into the story.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bored me out of my mind

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was interested in this series when I first heard about it. What attracted me to it was a series of connected books where, it is proposed, the reading order does not matter. The collection of Canadian authors contains one of my all-time favourites whom I read everything he writes, Shane Peacock. So I would eventually at least read that one book for sure. I'd read and enjoyed three of the other authors, have always wanted to read another one of them leaving me with only two new-to-me authors. It sounded very promising. I was pleased to have won this particular title as I have read and enjoyed a few of author John Wilson's books.

I was immediately engaged in the story right from the beginning. The common set up between the books of the Grandfather giving the boys tasks to accomplish in his will is unique and had me interested. The main character of the grandson Steve is well fleshed out and we get to know him very well throughout this book. Wilson is mainly an historical novelist and while this is a contemporary story it is rooted in the past by means of a search into the Grandfather's past in Spain and the finding of his journal from the year 1938. The book alternates with a present day narrative and journal entries of the young grandfather fighting in the 15th International Brigade during the Spanish Civil War ending with the final engagement at the Battle of the Ebro. I found the story utterly compelling and engrossing. I know virtually nothing of this war and learnt much from the personal point of view of a common soldier. It also really made me think hard, the concept of fighting Fascism with Communism is very difficult for me to wrap my mind around; one evil fighting another. The book has made me eager to read other books set during the Spanish Civil War should I come across them and I very much want to continue this series. Occasional references were made to Steve's twin brother who had his own task to complete scattering their grandfather's ashes; so I think that is the book I will move onto next. I am also very eager to see if picking and choosing the reading order will really make no difference to the enjoyment of the series. I found this a total page-turner and it has solidified my opinion of John Wilson as a strong writer of historical fiction.

[Shanella · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lost Cause is one of seven parallel stories written by different authors. John Wilson’s story follows Steve, one of the six cousins, who are tasked by their recently departed grandfather to figure out a puzzle about his life, Steve’s task sends him to Europe.

When there, Steve learns a lot about his grandfather’s time with the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War from a girl named Laia. Laia is the granddaughter to a woman that Steve’s grandfather knew while he was fighting in Spain and together, the retrace the steps of Steve’s grandfather took during the war.

The Lost Cause was a quick read and a pretty good read if you are interested in learning a bit of history as well as reading a good story. It went by quickly, and though I couldn’t find myself believing the origin of their task, I did enjoy the different things that Steve was able to show us of his grandfather’s life as a Canadian soldier.

One thing I did like about the story is that, you didn’t have to read them in any order, Lost Cause could have stood on its own and did a good job of doing just that. I’d recommend this for history buffs, or anyone who likes reading fiction placed in a historical setting with historical accuracy.

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve is not excited about attending the reading of his late grandfathers will, that is, until the lawyer reveals two secrets. The first secret being that there is a 7th mysterious grandson that the family has yet to meet. The second secret is that each of the grandsons is given a specific task that they are to complete. The funds and resources have been provided, but they must go alone. Steve is excited to learn that his task is to travel to Spain as he has been saving to travel to Europe for a year. In an interesting twist, the task given to him is in the form of a mystery that he must solve as his grandfather knew that he is a lover of mystery novels. What Steve first thinks will be a simple task turns out to be more complicated than he can imagine. With the help of his tour guide, Laia, and old diary left by his grandfather, Steve is able to piece together the mysteries of his grandfather’s past. This is book number 2 in a series of 7. However, a reader would not need to read the books in order to enjoy this book. This book is filled with suspense and strong in historical information. Readers who enjoy histories and mysteries would enjoy this book.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

2nd book in the Seven series from Orca - better than Between Heaven and Earth mostly because it avoided the sappy "from beyond the grave" preachiness of David McLean, spectral grandpa, and has a much less annoying hero, DJ's twin brother Steve - I liked that Steve's task is find out about his grandfather's being part of the Spanish Civil War though more than a bit annoyed at how Wilson positions the Republicans as being no better than Franco's Fascists - while I'm not excusing the Republicans, the long-term legacy of the atrocities of Franco's fascists is blurred in the simplistic both sides have things they need to answer for - Guernica, anyone? On to Ted Staunton's Jump Cut!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good. It was enjoyable for me because it is kind of a Mystery, and it also was about war which are two topics I like to read about. I also enjoyed it because it got started rather quickly instead of havering a long exposition. I think that the author could have maybe given more details about everything. He could have specifically gone into more detail about Steve's relationship with his grandpa. Another thing I liked is how John Wilson used real facts about the Spanish civil war. I think that this would be a good read for almost any level reader it's a good book that I had a hard time putting down. I think that I will be reading the others in the series soon.

[Barbara McVeigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the concept of this series. A grandfather leaves his seven grandsons specific tasks and adventures in his will.

LOST CAUSE concerns Steve discovering his grandfather's involvement in the Spanish Civil War. The book does a great job at weaving in historical facts and ambiguities. I would say that is a good choice for a reluctant readers, except that sometimes I found the writing a bit patronizing.

The series could be used for literature circles, as well as research on the contexts and locals of each novel.