All Ye That Pass By: Book 1: Gone for a Soldier

by Avellina Balestri

“If you don a scarlet coat at the price of your conscience, the color will only remind you of the wound in your own soul! If you sign away the faith of your fathers, all lesser goods will be forfeited too!”

~

Young Edmund Southworth could not have foreseen the path his life would take upon befriending Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne, British military veteran and parliamentarian. As Catholic recusants from the north of England, Edmund’s once noble family has struggled to survive for centuries in the shadow of the Anglican ascendancy. But General Burgoyne offers him the chance to put past humiliations behind him by joining the Church of England and donning a scarlet coat as an officer of King George III. Although his conscience is uneasy, Edmund embarks upon Burgoyne’s March to subdue the American revolutionaries by splitting the colonies in two. He finds unexpected love in the arms of Abby Vanderkamp, a supporter of American independence, who will do anything to free her father from a British prison hulk or, failing that, strike a blow for the hard-pressed rebel cause. As the British advance through the New York wilderness devolves into increasing brutality and instability, Edmund will have his already divided loyalties tested to the breaking point under the influence of this hostile land which presents him with new challenges and opportunities alike.

492 pages, ebook

Published July 10, 2024

About the author

Avellina Balestri is a Catholic author and editor based in the historic Maryland-Pennsylvania borderlands. Her stories, poems, and essays have been featured in over thirty print and online publications including The Wisdom Daily, The Latin Mass Magazine, and The St. Austin Review. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Fellowship & Fairydust, a magazine inspiring faith and creativity and exploring the arts through a spiritual lens. Under its auspices, she had the honor of hosting a literary conference at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University, commemorating the legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien. Her hobbies include listening to and performing folk music, watching and reviewing classic films, and chatting with a zany array of international contacts. Avellina believes that the Trinitarian and Incarnational mysteries are reflected in all things good, true, and beautiful, and that the image of God is wondrously woven into every human heart. These themes are at the forefront of the stories she chooses to tell.

For more information about the author and her various projects, please visit the following websites:

www.fellowshipandfairydust.com

www.avellinabalestri.com

Reviews

[Madelyn Grey]

In my experience, it's difficult to properly summarize my feelings on a book that enacts a strong, visceral tug-of-war on my emotions. What makes the characters so human in this story is my reaction towards them were rarely static. For instance, I started off viewing Abby as one of my favorite characters (she's tortured, mysterious, and brought a glimmer of hope/humanity for Ned to an otherwise bleak backdrop of war), but she was quick to ignite my frustration with the way she handled things. I feel bad saying that since she was traumatized, and thus, she would NEVER respond in the way I would, but seeing how her actions injured other characters I cared about, it was difficult to feel sympathy for her in certain moments.

As others have said, this is a very, VERY long book, so I'm probably going to be all over the place with my review. Back all the way in the beginning, I instantly liked Ned. His childhood innocence reminded me of how I initially was with my faith (i.e. I, too, thought people would go to heaven just for being "nice" or "good"), so I thought that was a very realistic angle. Kids are arguably the hardest age range to depict, but this book was solid with portraying all age groups. I confess it took me a considerable time to get into the book, because I was most looking forward to the Revolutionary War aspect, as well as Ned's eventual romance with Abby, a rebel (Abby didn't even appear until the 66% mark, if I recall correctly), so this is a VERY slowburn story. However, I do appreciate all the effort Balestri put into her world-building and character development. First and foremost, I need to care about the characters -- otherwise, I don't care about the story -- so she did a great job in that department.

The majority of the book is spent developing the friendship between Ned and Burgoyne (a dynamic that I loved), as well as Ned's faith. I don't think they actually went to America until around the 60% mark, so if other people are looking for the war element as well, I encourage you all to hang in there, because the last 50 pages, in particular, are stellar, gripping writing that made me fly through the remainder of the book.

Since the second half of the book was where I was invested, I'm going to stick to that portion with my review. I thought the Charity/Samuel sideplot was endearing, and they reminded me a bit of Morwenna/Drake from Poldark. He was very kind and patient with her after their wedding, which was a nice change since a lot of the women in this book were abused by soldiers/other men in some way or another. Abby, in particular, led a horrifying life for the sake of saving her father. At first, I thought she and Ned were super sweet, and I enjoyed their scenes the most. The bit where they're really connecting and talking about her past was vivid (especially the section regarding Nathan Hale!), and I should've known by the allusion to Ned's lust being on par with the serpent in the Garden of Eden that nothing would last with them. I did find it interesting how he was so pure and staunchly devout until his lust got the better of him, and then he was so consumed by affection for Abby that he was blinded to her every flaw.

Throughout, it's apparent that neither side is "truly good." Granted, there are moments of heroism for certain characters, but then those same characters will turn around and do something morally questionable, which I always appreciate in stories, because times of desperation can turn people down dark and monstrous paths. The shows/movies/books/etc. that depict one side as morally pure, while the other is morally corrupt are just inaccurate, because nothing in life is ever PURELY good, nor PURELY bad. Still, seeing how Ned, who started off as such a sweet and loving boy in the beginning, was ultimately consumed by his hatred was really sad to see. I still love him and consider him my favorite (I tend to favor the morally grey characters), but it was interesting to see how Jonathan kind of took his place as the devout/never ruffled one, because Ned used to be very good at keeping his anger in check and sparing those who arguably didn't deserve it.

All in all, I would recommend listening to this book daily, if possible, because listening helped me get through the slowburn elements, which proved to be VERY much worth it, because I honestly did really enjoy this book overall. It was a visceral and realistic portrayal of how people on all sides suffer in times of war, and I found it poignant and heartbreaking how the lives affected in this novel underwent their varying transformations.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reluctant to use the term "book boyfriend," but Ned was easily one of those swoon-worthy heroes who does the right thing (the bit with him saving the young girl was a stand-out!), and he completely charms the reader while doing so. It's also refreshing to see a character so deeply devoted to his faith while entrenched in war -- which, of course, is arguably a landscape that tests one's faith most of all.

Balestri's characters each have rich backgrounds, and memorable personalities. I especially enjoyed the Ned/Burgoyne friendship, and all of the fun, colorful banter throughout between the varying dynamics. Balestri is a very talented and engaging storyteller!

My only gripe is this is WAY too long. Trad-pubbed historical fiction rarely exceeds the 120k mark (and with newer writers, 100k max is definitely preferred), so I really wish this had been cut in half. I'm not sure how long the series is supposed to be, seeing how I couldn't find book two, but if each book is cut in half and the number of books extended, I genuinely think that will go a long way. Just glancing at other reviews, some other people were intimidated by the size as well, so I imagine the word count is scaring off potential readers. I'll admit I almost passed because of the same reason, because typically, that's a sign of a book that needs massive editing.

[Jessika Caruso · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I was a little intimidated by the length of this book, but the subject matter was too intriguing to pass by (no pun intended). I quickly got wrapped up in the story of Edmund Southworth, his background as an English Catholic and his friendship with General Johnny Burgoyne.

Balestri has a gift for writing multi-dimensional characters who are well-researched yet never boring. Historical figures come alive through her pen, especially the British military officers who have perhaps grown infamous in the eyes of Americans. She even managed to write King George III as a charming, personable soul.

An overarching theme of the book is that we all have both wheat and weeds growing within us. The weeds are fed by tough, unjust circumstances, but the wheat can overcome them throgh openness to grace. Each character has moments in which they exhibit both wheat and weeds. There are so many touching scenes that showed how people can retain their humanity in the midst of war. At the same time, the characters sometimes make terrible mistakes. Yet that didn’t make them any less likable in my eyes; it just made them more real.

The horrors of war are also explored, sometimes in raw, gut-wrenching ways. However, I never lost hope that the characters might one day be redeemed. I am excited to see what books two and three have in store for these literary companions. I have come to care deeply about each one, especially our hero Ned.

I absolutely loved this book and I would implore potential readers not to allow the length to intimidate you. You will not be disappointed.

[Martina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even in beta read, already intriguing, just like other Avellina’s prose pieces.
It is amazing how well she captures the internal struggles of her characters, be it Robin in her other book or Edmund here. I was kind of rooting for him to stay faithful to everything he fought for in the beginning and find some other way round the law to fulfill his dreams despite his social position, so the plot twist midway the book took me by surprise. But that only made me eager to follow him more to find out how his fate develops. And I can’t wait for the sequel, even though this one amounts to almost 1000 pages. They almost felt too few :D

[Christopher Villiers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avellina Balestri continues her literary explorations of faith and history in this novel, the first of a projected trilogy concerning the American Revolution. The main character, Edmund Southworth is from a recusant Catholic gentry family in Lancashire. He is a young man who values his faith but chafes at the restrictions placed upon him by that account in eighteenth century England. He wishes to follow his distinguished ancestors into battle and like his childhood protestant playmates idolises General Wolfe who took Quebec for the British, but, among other prohibitions, British law will not allow a Catholic to even handle a weapon. Taught to venerate the Catholic martyrs of Protestant persecution, he is also drawn to the contemporary English martyrology of Wolfe whose death he conflates with theirs. The trilogy's title is taken from the Biblical Book of Lamentations passage "O all ye that pass by the way, attend, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow" (p8). Edmund's pious mother, Perpetua, who has suffered much from Protestants, wishes her son to interpret such passages in a exclusively Catholic manner but he has other ideas. With the death of his magnanimous and generous to a fault father, the Southworth family is saved from financial ruin by the late man's friend John Burgoyne. This amiable and louche figure, an influential politician and military man, befriends young Southworth, much to Perpetua's concern.

Burgoyne introduces him to a world beyond his village, offering him a glimpse of army life and even leading him to converse with King George III, sharpening his ambitions for a life of action and worldly importance. Southworth meets a distant cousin, Thomas Gage, whose parents abandoned Catholicism, enabling him to be a colonial administrator and general. Though the young recusant resists, the charms of his new surroundings erode his principles as water can erode the hardest of rock. Balestri has a flair for characterisation, not least in showing the complexities of Burgoyne, a loving husband and flagrant womaniser, a man with a sense of his own dignity who revels in flamboyant dramas of questionable artistic merit. A mixture of noble and ignoble, the sublime and the ridiculous. Southworth's thought to himself on seeing one of the man's plays, that it was like having eaten a soup of questionable mushrooms by his family's aged cook, is marvellous. All the while trouble is stirring in the American colonies...

Eventually, as his mother feared would happen, he renounces his faith by subscribing to the anti-Catholic Test Acts and receiving Anglican communion in order to enlist as an officer in the British army. There are revolts in Massachusetts and neighbouring area escalating into war and Southworth wishes to join his peers in battle. There is however a warning of what is to come as one of Burgoyne's fellow Member of Parliament predicts "Mark my words General Burgoyne: when next you set foot upon English soil, I fear it shall not be at the head of victorious hosts, but as a prisoner on parole."(p235) Enchanted by a charismatic older man, Southworth pays no heed to the arguments, pragmatic and idealistic, against this conflict and is prepared to stake all in fighting it. When he wavers at the grim denunciations of his family's faith he must sign the General issues an ultimatum:
"Listen to me Ned," Burgoyne intoned, a thick desperation rising in his throat, "Do you want to go your whole damn life branded as a coward at best or a traitor at worst? Do you want to abandon every manly obligation to your king and country and sever every tie of kinship with your fellows who are willing to seal their duty in blood? And all this for a pope who doesn't even know you exist?! Is that what you really want?!"(p237) Under the influence of drink and his surrogate father he finally succumbs to the blandishments of the Hanoverian establishment. With the American colonists in revolt Southworth becomes a staff officer to General Burgoyne and sails across the Atlantic.

Life as a redcoat turns out not to be one of utter glamour and easy glory. Beginning in Catholic Quebec where Southworth is confronted by a Catholic eucharistic procession, the army, accompanied by French Canadian and Native American troops moves towards New York. This is a war between kindred, with all the bitterness of a family feud and Balestri does not shy away from honest depictions of death and atrocity. Amid the bloodshed there is also the development of true comradeship, the bespectacled English clerk Lieutenant Rawcliffe, the Welsh Wesleyan Lieutenant Jones and the Ulster-Scots Protestant Lieutenant Thompson. The first two gradually come to like and trust Southworth, but Eli Thompson, a fierce Calvinist more at ease with animals than even fellow protestants among the human race, is true to his tribal hatred. Throughout the novel, disputes of history, politics and theology are necessarily played out, it is to Balestri's credit that these matters are generally explored in a manner that does not seem contrived. Rawcliffe is able to draw out Thompson into friendship and even assist him in his awkward wooing of an American Loyalist (General Burgoyne and his mistress' humorous amendments to his sketched out plan make fine comedy). The reader finds a pleasing mix of toughness and tenderness, martial severity and light relief.

Even in the army Burgoyne maintains the lifestyle of a Georgian gentleman of relaxed morals, with his dinner parties and French Canadian lover. We encounter the General's friend Simon Fraser, of Scots Jacobite (and possibly Catholic) upbringing, who has accommodated to the political and religious settlement. He is a man who can befriend women and children, even rebel ones, with aplomb while in the next moment conducting executions in the bloodiest and most inhuman manner. Like the Native Americans, as a Highlander he is often regarded as a savage and like Southworth is something of an outsider. Burgoyne asks Fraser to take the young man under his wing and he does indeed, having the more honourable as well as darker aspects of a warrior chief.

Edward Southworth first falls in lust, then love with a young woman procured for him by Burgoyne. Abigail, the daughter of an American revolutionary, loathes the Redcoats but is prepared to prostitute herself to them in hope of saving her imprisoned father. Balestri is good at showing the damage war causes to woman and children, "Abby" is scarred by the abuses, sexual and otherwise, the British have inflicted on her, she admits that she is broken inside. She questions the moral, religious and political case for the British Monarchy and its enforcement by violence upon her fellow colonists. The irony of rebel colonists demanding freedom from King George and denying it to their black slaves and Native American neighbours is not evaded, even if the woman's defence of slavery eventually being abolished in the colonies and the wickedness of the Natives whose land she feels entitled to will not satisfy all readers.

While she eventually falls in love with the romantic young Englishman she still hates his King bitterly. Southworth loves her but defends the regime for whom he sacrificed his spiritual and biological family, while inwardly questioning the price he paid. Abby sews an illicit Catholic relic into Southworth's shirt, sent by his loyal sister, seeing him as a fellow rebel against tyranny underneath his uniform. " Come with me Ned!" she seized his arm "You are not at peace with yourself where you are, for your loyalties are split already! You are better than those people around you, they are easily convinced of the royal supremacy, but you are not! In your heart of hearts, you resist, in matters great and small!...You have the strength of will to rebel!...England is lost! Let us be free of her! Let us be rid of her!" (p525) She has less success seducing him from his principles than Burgoyne did. Eventually, in an atmosphere of guerrilla warfare by the colonists and savage reprisals by the British army and their Native American allies, the tension explodes. The novel ends in pain and lost innocence. One awaits to discover what the future will hold for Edward Southworth in forthcoming novels, with a storyteller as accomplished as Avellina Balestri it can't be dull.

[Sean Earner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemporary historical fiction often only aspires to be a less flashy and lower tech video game: An escape into a setting for us to day dream in, nothing more. But this literary offering bucks that trend. Instead of simply dwelling on the exotic difference of the past compared to our present, we are directed to the eternal and necessary questions and choices of life that every age must answer to. This book is a work of a Catholic imagination, not only in that it is an eloquent testament to the faith that has been upheld by the blood of the martyrs and the prayers of the saints, but also in the sense that it seeks after universality, to unite people from every place and time under the divine light that lets their shared humanity show forth.

The protagonist, Edmund Southworth, is a Catholic nobleman in a society that denies him many rights and opportunities of advancement because of his loyalty to the pre-Reformation creed. He stands in not only for a heroic past of defiance against the Protestant settlement, but also for the trials of a man of piety in an age growing increasingly forgetful of God. His story is thus both a memorial and a prophecy at the same time.

In addition to the recusant context, Miss Balestri focuses on the British cause in the American Revolution for much of the plot; not to condemn or demonize but to show the real heroism of the losing side. Her love of all things to do with British culture shines forth throughout and enables her to draw vivid and affectionate portraits of many historic characters without papering over their flaws or their demons.

Finally, the authoress returns again and again to the theme of the dignity and value of the personal. It is key to her depiction of the loyalty that ties many of her characters to their king as a man who embodies sacred authority. But it also informs the book's treatment of all its characters. Even the unsympathetic are often given a chance to stand out as real human beings, not caricatures. We are reminded again and again that people are not props to be disposed of, and this must inform out understanding of the past, of politics, and religious hope.

To sum up: This is a beautiful book, of real depth as well as of sweetness and light, for all who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

[Greg Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edmund Southworth is a devout catholic who loves his faith and his country equally. Unfortunately, Britain’s “Test Act” has denied British Catholics representation in Parliament, ways to earn a living, or places in his majesty’s military. This last ban is especially disappointing to “Ned”, who wants to serve his king against the American colonies and their rebellion across the Atlantic.
Ned meets “Gentleman” Johnny Burgoyne, who was helped by Ned’s now-deceased father when Burgoyne’s cash flow was depleted as a result of his lavish spending at brothels and gambling tables. Burgoyne visits the Southworth manor and offers to help repair the dilapidated property. This is appreciated by the entire Southworth family with the exception of Ned’s mother, Perpetua. Perpetua doesn’t trust the womanizing Burgoyne, who she thinks is spying on her Catholic family on behalf of king and parliament. Ned realizes he will never be able to convince her of Johnny’s pure intentions toward the family, and after much soul-searching (and even more drinking), Ned renounces his Catholicism and joins Burgoyne in North America to put down the colonials’ rebellion.
North America is full of traps and pitfalls for the sheltered Edmund. He meets soldiers who drink and swear, and alluring ladies who provide companionship for the soldiers, even the married ones. While fighting the colonials, Ned fights his own internal battles as he wonders just how far he is willing to compromise his principles and morals as he negotiates his way through the North American wilderness and the pitfalls of military life.
“All Ye that Pass by” is a compelling coming-of-age story of a young man who tries to right, but finds it’s not easy knowing what is the right thing to do. His love of God and love of country don’t always sync, and there are times when he feels his country, his faith, and even his family have abandoned him. American readers will sympathize with the British lad, and the multiple subplots will even cause a little empathy. It’s a book that provides adventure with a charismatic soldier-statesman and the wisdom of a grounded, pure-hearted young man.

[MR PETER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have remarked about the Greek poet Homer (author of the Iliad and the Odyssey):

“On sait qu’Homère a fait la guerre.”

Avellina Balestri makes no claims to have been personally involved in any combat. What she has done, however, is to study closely the available writings of the historical protagonists who feature in her story. The result is a deeply conscious account of the build-up to a campaign by a British force in what we now know as the American War of Independence.

Monsignor Giuseppe Bertello, the Papal Nuncio in Rwanda at the time of the 1994 genocide, gave a short answer to my question to him as to what led to the genocide:

“La conscience des gens.”

Avellina Balestri’s characters are acutely aware of who they are, and of the often-conflicting parts of their identity which guide the decisions that they make.

Edmund, or Ned, the main character, is the young head of an old Lancashire family. He is conscious of descending from a line of knights of old who served their king when the call to bear arms came. But his family has also kept to the “old ways” in matters of faith, making them Papist recusants in late eighteenth century England.

General Burgoyne, an old family friend and local member of parliament, stirs Ned’s chivalric side and induces him to sign the Test Act and join him on his campaign in North America as an officer.

Ned must navigate his way through territory which contains loyalist and rebel elements. He must do this as part of a force which itself contains current and former rebels. And he must battle internally with his own rebellion from part of his ancestral heritage.

This first book of the trilogy has been a thoroughly engaging read and I am looking forward to the appearance of the second book.

[Norman Desmarais · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gone for a Soldier is a three-volume historical novel set during the time of the American War of independence. Volume 1 consists of three parts and begins shortly before the war. Edmund Southworth is a Catholic friend of General John Burgoyne. He has always wanted to join the British Army but could not do so because of his faith. Most historical novels of this period would focus on the political differences of divided houses. This is the only one that deals with the religious issues of Ned wrestling with his conscience over abandoning his faith to join the army. This first volume elaborates his adventures up to the eve of the battle of Saratoga. Most of those adventures clash with his religious traditions and moral upbringing. Throughout, the characters elucidate their different viewpoints from Catholic and Anglican perspectives. The volume also melds very nicely several historical periods and characters with different languages, dialects and cultures. The characters are well-developed and believable. When completed, this novel may rival War and Peace in length. A good read. Recommended.
Norman Desmarais author of The Guide to the American Revolutionary War series.

[George Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avellina Balestri has written a superb historical novel dealing with the trials and tribulations of a recusant, Edmund Southworth, who is torn between his Catholic beliefs and having to deal with elements of society and the military in 18th century England that are averse to them. Southworth finds himself meeting and engaging with many historical characters from the British army during the time of the French and Indian War and American Revolution and even gets the opportunity to meet King George the Third. Growing up he was intrigued with the military and would play soldier with his Protestant buddies who would take turns playing General James Wolfe who was the hero of Quebec from the earlier war. Longing to be a military officer, he also realized that he was restricted from being commissioned as the Test Act of Parliament prohibited Catholics from serving in the British military unless they were willing to denounce their beliefs. He continues to struggle with this reality until General John Burgoyne gets him drunk and under the influence, he signs the necessary oath to become an officer. Avellina masterly weaves a narrative of conflict, not only militarily, but spiritually and morally, as Edmund continues his life’s journey bringing him across the sea to North America and the dangers and complexities of the American rebellion against his native country and King. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about the 18th century and the War for Independence.

[Michael Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m finally reading All Ye that Pass By; Book 1: Gone for a Solder, by Avellina Balestri at my leisure after a month of editing (followed by a week of furious last minute proofing). Characters such as Generals Johnny Burgoyne & Simon Fraser & His Majesty King George III are depicted as they are in the historical record. This “4’-10” Papist” shows the divides in English and Colonial (our) societies as well as any I’ve seen, along with how much of Burgoyne’s army was recruited. As a colonial, I’ve never seem the Revolutionary War as a civil war - Ms. Balestri does an excellent job of showing how much of the Brutality of that war was a result of brother fighting brother as our Civil War (the Confederates called it “The Second Revolutionary War) was. Characters such as Edmond, Jack, Jonathan, Abby and Eli are believable and act in ways one might expect them to act. I recommend you play the songs and read the poetry out loud to get the flavor of the era…
Michael

[Ashley Dewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has written characters whose hopes, fears and conflicting desires make them feel relatable and realistic and placed them within a well-established historical setting. The protagonist's decisions are driven by his desires, making his actions understandable, even in departing from his home for the wider and wilder world. The result represents an insight into both personal and historical challenges along religious, cultural and political lines, which is well worth reading.

[FLOYD KNOWLTON · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I would like to state that I am not one to read Historic Fiction. I have tried and the result is usually similar to a soap opera. Not my cup of tea. I was challenged to read Ms. Balestri's book by the sneak previews she would display on her Facebook page. As I read, I was amazed at her skill in weaving facts with just the right amount of journalistic license. I totally enjoyed book 1 and am looking forward to more. In my opinion, she is truly gifted and deserving of notice.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends, in a lifetime of historical reading, I never have seen a finer exploration of faith and war. The split between Rome and the UK is mirrored in the brother struggle for American independence.
After an wagon Load of books presenting the standard Star Wars approach of Perfious Albion, here is a mature modality, with all the passion for truth, and ambiguity life embodies. The conflict between throne and alter embodied, as never before. Bravo!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a native Briton, I had not known that American Loyalists still walked the streets of the USA. It was an intriguing discovery to learn this from the author of All Ye That Pass By: Gone for a Soldier, Avellina Balestri. A pleasing one, nonetheless, since I have a passionate belief in the special relationship between Britain and America. We are joined by both heritage and DNA, so we should always remember that. Sadly, the American Revolution drove the Loyalists out of their homes and their lands, and many became Canadians (a country that has maintained its filial roots through the Commonwealth).

As a Protestant, I had much to learn about Catholicism. And the author is a good teacher. I would also say that modern society should not judge history by modern standards; that way we deny our forefathers their rightful place, space and time in the past. Avellina avoids this pitfall. She is a master story-teller and is very knowledgeable on the subject of the Revolutionary era, so she writes with conviction. In reading this book, you too will become invested in the lives of the characters peopling these pages.

The story of Edmund Southworth, a Catholic recusant living in a Protestant England in the mid 18th century, begins in poverty and hardship since his illustrious family has had to use their former wealth to pay their way to safety as Papists. At the age of 18, Edmund’s father dies, leaving huge debts. Into this sorry state of affairs rides the Protestant General John Burgoyne, who is in huge debt to Edmund’s late father. He is generous to a fault and provides them with a way out of poverty. Edmund’s mother is very suspicious of his motives in helping Catholics. Burgoyne becomes Edmund’s mentor and tries to integrate him into society, even introducing him to King George III. After returning north from one such eventful London excursion, a moving farewell sees the closeness of Edmund and Burgoyne sealed with a hearty hug.

In May of 1775, General Burgoyne, General Howe, and General Clinton are called to duty in the colonies, where trouble has erupted. Their job is to head the reinforcements of the British army based in America. After the Battle of Bunker Hill, Boston is under siege by the rebels, and General Gage is recalled to Britain for failing to keep the peace. He is replaced as the commander-in-chief by Howe. The friendship between Burgoyne and Edmund Southworth continues by letter, although Burgoyne is back in England briefly, but too briefly to be by his wife’s side when she dies. Edmund fulfils that role instead. In July 1776, the Declaration of Independence is pronounced in Philadelphia, and shortly thereafter, the British secure control of New York City. This becomes a safe-haven for the Loyalists who look to the British military for protection.

Back in England, Edmund wrestles with his conscience as to whether he (who as a Catholic is unable to bear arms on account of his religion) should still fight for his country, and even his King, having met him. Since he is a loyal Englishman, with a genealogy going back to the dawn of time in England, his childhood friend, Jack Randall, the son of a Protestant clergyman, finally persuades him that it is the right thing to fight for the land he loves. But signing The Test Act to prove his loyalty is so hard for Edmund that he gets drunker than ever before in his life, since it involves renouncing the Pope as the Head of the Church as well as other major Catholic beliefs such as transubstantiation and the communion of saints. He feels he has let everyone down, in particular himself.

The sea voyage to Canada, as part of Burgoyne’s officer corps, proves a difficult one for Edmund, who is perpetually sea-sick, and even on dry land he still falls. His next task is to fit in with those around him, who are not slow to prick his Catholic conscience.

It was a surprise to stumble upon a love-story within these pages, when Edmund falls for Abby, a rebel whore who is part of the British wagon train of camp followers. They are thrust together by Burgoyne, who takes an opportunity to teach the young officer on his staff about the ways of the world. Edmund learns to not only tame her, but please her too. This comes as a surprise to both of them. A bit like waiting for a bus to arrive, two turn up at once, and so it is with another budding romance between one of Ned's fellow staff officers, Eli, and a Loyalist girl, Fidelity. But with the dramatic ending of this story, while reading a dead friend’s letter to his wife, Edmund is left to ponder his choice of having “Gone for a Soldier.” Has he lost more than he has gained?

This is above all the story of a minority Catholic population in a Protestant Britain during the eighteenth century. Their trials and tribulations run throughout every page, and their story is mainly told in dialogue between the characters who people the pages (many of whom are real people who lived through those times, such as General John Burgoyne).

An interesting and enjoyable book, which I have no hesitation in recommending. It is available to purchase at https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Ye-That-...

Anne Ammundsen
Author of The Charles Asgill Affair: Setting the Record Straight

[Paul Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Tim Symington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catholic author Avellina Balestri has introduced fans of historical fiction to the struggles of an often-ignored group who participated in the American Revolution: British Catholics. The British Isles, after all, were once strongly Roman Catholic. King Henry VIII was even declared by the pontiff to be the “Defender of the Faith.” That same monarch, as everyone who knows about British history (or has seen the dramatic series The Tudors), took his realm out of the Catholic Church and declared himself the sole religious leader of England so that he could marry Anne Boleyn. It was expected that all his subjects would see him as their spiritual as well as temporal authority. Those who acquiesced were deemed to be true patriots, but those who continued to worship as Roman Catholics were viewed as traitors to the crown (known as “recusants” for their refusal to conform to the established church).
Ned Southworth, the main character in Balestri’s book Gone for a Soldier (Book I of her trilogy, All Ye That Pass By), started out as a recusant from the north of England who found himself the head of his family estate when his much beloved and respected father died. He was forced, like all recusants, to attend mass in secret, sometimes providing hiding places for renegade Catholic priests. Accustomed to this harsh existence as an outsider in his own country, Ned is presented with new horizons when he runs into a former friend of his father’s, General John Burgoyne. “Gentleman Johnny” takes Ned under his wing, introducing him to the finer things in life that Ned has missed as a recusant. While Ned’s strict and uncompromising mother, Perpetua, looks on Burgoyne with a great deal of suspicion, Ned appreciates Burgoyne as a friend and benefactor. Like his father, Ned strives to see the best in everyone, Catholic or Protestant.
Balestri brings the reader into Ned’s conflicted world, and each time Ned meets a new figure, an opportunity is presented by the author to offer some historical details about the religious and social fabric of Great Britain. Balestri has done an excellent job with this aspect of historical-fiction writing. Her research into the letters and other writings of the period makes each character stand out. Burgoyne, with his dramatic flair and oversize personality, becomes a clear favorite. In one of the book’s more memorable moments, King George III makes an appearance and connects to an awe-struck Ned. The incident helps to solidify Ned’s own patriotism, which will play a part in his making the crucial decision to pledge loyalty to the King as his spiritual leader and accept a position on Burgoyne’s staff for a campaign in North America (which will ultimately end in his defeat at Saratoga).
Alongside Burgoyne and George III, several other historical figures familiar with Revolutionary War enthusiasts appear, such as Thomas Gage, Simon Fraser, William Phillips, John Pitcairn and his son William. Ned and Gage form a close connection because of a shared religious past. The relationship that Ned forms with William Pitcairn brings the new soldier face to face with some of the realities of war. Simon Fraser is a crucial character whose advice and leadership prove instrumental to Burgoyne’s decisions. The introduction of each character becomes a valuable platform for Balestri to relay important historical information relevant to the story.
After Ned joins Burgoyne in Quebec (where he meets Catholic colonists who are fighting for the British king), he experiences the vagaries and hardships of camp life. He also starts to learn about the American rebellion and what the former colonists are fighting for. The issues are not as clear-cut as Ned possibly believed. The war is exceedingly complex. The relationship that Ned forms with Abigail Vanderkamp (“Abby”) demonstrates that complexity. Abby was “given” to Ned by Burgoyne, who had spent the night with her in his tent. She firmly believes in the patriot cause, but she finds herself in the service of the British “invaders.” Ned wants her to see the justice of his cause, while she wants not only his protection but also that he understands what the rebels are fighting for. Their relationship grows over time and he falls for her, but the circumstances of her presence in his world and the politics of the situation do not make for a fairy-tale story.
Gone for a Soldier is an amazing way to portray the British experience during the American Revolution. What must it have been like for a young Briton to be in such a strange, violent land, to be hated and abhorred by the inhabitants? And for Ned, what was it like to be a former Catholic fighting the American rebels, the vast majority of whom were Protestant and even more anti-Catholic than most of the people in Britain? The research is thorough, and the writing is clear and interesting. This is not only an historical text, but in many ways also a theological one. The way that Balestri explains some of the intricacies of Catholic doctrine is welcome.
So, the next question now is…how long do we all need to wait for Book II?

[Larry Chiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avelina Balestri’s novel, Gone For A Soldier, demonstrates the author’s talent for bringing history to life through well-crafted characters and situations. Reading it proved both entertaining and educational. I learned several things about the Revolutionary War period and the British Army of that era. Make no mistake, she states she is a Catholic author, and the text at times veers into deep religious conversations among the characters and backstory. While this may be uninteresting to some readers, I found it informative even though I do not subscribe to that persuasion.
I can imagine Avelina writing her characters’ dialogue as if she were the proverbial fly on the wall, listening to them speak. Touching conversations, particularly among old friends reflecting on lost comrades, beautifully capture the weight of shared history, adding emotional resonance and highlighting the novel’s recurring themes of loss and memory.

Ned Southworth, a Catholic recusant in Protestant England, is the protagonist of the story, who navigates his conflicting loyalties between family duty and personal desires. This creates a compelling internal tension that drives character growth. But it’s not just the main characters that get a full character development. Minor characters, such as Red Elk, Jonathan, and Amelia, are especially well-rendered. Their dialogue feels authentic and grounded, which brings humanity to the historical narrative.

Avelina’s storytelling skills shine through, often balancing intimate, emotional moments with the grand sweep of history. She also does not shy away from the brutalities of war, from hangings to gruesome battle scenes. While some readers may recoil from such scenes, I believe they add to the novel’s realism.

The opening provides a comprehensive historical background, establishing a foundation for exploring themes of faith, family loyalty, and personal sacrifice against a detailed historical backdrop. That being said, I would have preferred an emotionally charged scene early on to immediately draw the reader into the protagonist’s central internal conflicts. Perhaps exploring Ned’s emotions as he deals with his father’s death, estate and family responsibilities, and his Catholic faith amid prejudice and repression before Burgoyne’s arrival could have created additional internal conflict.

Some secondary character backstories might have been streamlined or interspersed with action to maintain narrative momentum in the story. The depth of this background is impressive, but I found myself wanting to get back to the action of the story. Perhaps having further integrated the background information into the action would have allowed the reader to be more fully absorbed.

As I reflect on the story, specific images from the novel stand out. Vicar Randall’s memorable line, “Each man must chart his own course. It is not for any other man to turn the wheel for him,” resonated with me. Burgoyne’s rescue of Ned’s sister Tessie from jail demonstrates the author’s ability to deliver thrilling, edge-of-your-seat action. Another scene, when the highwayman Nevison rescues a young boy at risk of drowning, stands out with dialogue interspersed with action. And, of course, the climactic scenes of chaos toward the end of the novel stand out as memorable.

Gone For A Soldier represents a significant achievement in historical fiction, combining meticulous research with compelling storytelling. The author’s dedication to historical authenticity, combined with strong character development, creates an immersive reading experience.

[David Leng · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Unforgettable Journey of Loyalty, Love, and War!

Gone for a Soldier absolutely blew me away! If you're a fan of historical fiction that pulls you right into the heart of the action while making you feel every twist of emotion, this book is a must-read. Avellina Balestri has crafted a story that's not just about war but about impossible choices and the human heart caught in the crossfire.

I was completely drawn into the world of Edmund Southworth, a young man torn between loyalty to his king and the deep-rooted faith of his ancestors. His journey from England to the war-torn American colonies had me hooked, and his inner struggle felt so raw and real. And then there's Abby—her fierce determination to save her father and fight for freedom had me rooting for her every step of the way. The chemistry between Edmund and Abby was both tender and heartbreaking, making Edmund's choices even more gut-wrenching.

The historical details were spot on, and I felt completely immersed in the brutal wilderness of New York and the chaos of Burgoyne's campaign. I also loved how the novel explores themes of faith, honor, and betrayal without feeling preachy. It reminded me of the emotional depth of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series and the intense military drama of Bernard Cornwell's work.

If you're looking for a story that will make you think, feel, and stay up late flipping pages, this is it. Balestri's writing is rich, the characters are unforgettable, and the stakes are sky-high. I can't wait to read the next book!

Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, romance, and stories of loyalty tested to the breaking point.

[Samuel Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avellina Balestri, who showed a high degree of literary mastery in the first installment of her Saplings of Sherwood series, continues to live up to her promise as a writer of historically-based fiction with "Gone for a Soldier," the first of a projected three-volume tale of the American War for Independence. Although other writers who have spun tales about this period have given fair treatment to the British perspective (most notably Jeff Shaara in his "Rise to Rebellion" and "The Glorious Cause"), not since Kenneth Roberts’ "Oliver Wiswell" has there been a book that goes so intimately into the hearts and minds of the British actors and their Loyalist allies.

The accuracy of the book is not simply one of facts and dates and logistics and equipment and organization, though all these are there. It is equally accurate concerning the complexities of the human psyche, especially in the internal conflict that rages in the soul of the main protagonist, Edmund Southworth, the scion of a Catholic family whose loyalty to the British crown is as real as its loyalty to the “Old Religion” is stubborn.

My own engagement with the text took longer than it usually does, but that once accomplished, immersion was complete. It has been decades since I read "War and Peace," but the author’s style of writing and characterization is very reminiscent of Tolstoy’s. If the “great American novel” is not – as is generally supposed – a chimera, All Ye That Pass By bids fair to take that throne.

[Leah Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Ye That Pass By: Gone for a Soldier is a Historical Masterpiece.

Balestri succeeds brilliantly in the first installment of her revolutionary trilogy. Written in the style of an eighteenth century biography, Gone for a Soldier follows the life and travels of Ned Southworth, a young English nobleman whose family has fallen on some hard times. In an effort to follow the guidance of his saving angel, Ned must enlist as an officer in the British army. However, in order to do that, he must compromise his own convictions. The backdrop of the American War for Independence lends masterfully to the personal challenges and internal conflicts Ned must confront within his own life. Throughout the book, Balestri's talents shine, illuminating the inner struggles of the heart. She weaves the story from strands of colorful characters, creating a beautiful tapestry of words to induct the reader into the world of eighteenth century life and the trials of warfare. The characters live and breathe as flesh upon these pages, and it is a worthy read for any true lover of history and its dramatic rendering.

[Hannah Honegger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avellina's book confidently expresses the colossal amount of effort & care that she puts into her writing both through research & through turn of phrase. You will not find a single character (main or supplementary) that is not fully developed nor a thought or emotion that is not thoroughly explored. You can trust that she's put in the work to understanding at an impressive depth the era she writes in & she warmly welcomes you into that time period (in this case, the American Revolutionary War) through her writing that includes every essential detail for understanding the context & events of the time as well as the story she weaves. The characters are earnest in their conversation & their phrasing is accurate to the era. My personal preference is for stories to take a more sweeping pace, but if you are willing to lend the focus required to catch every detail in the feast that Avellina so sincerely presents to you, you won't be disappointed!

[Lynne Tagawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edmund Southworth is a Catholic, descended from those who faced persecution for their faith. He meets Johnny Burgoyne and enters the American Revolution. This author's writing is valuable for several reasons. First, her prose is old-fashioned and detailed, bringing to life the famous men of that time period (especially the British side). You are immersed in their discussions!

Second, the point-of-view is different. The Catholic, loyalist viewpoint is a refreshing change. And yet our character faces internal conflict as the war progresses. Recommended for students of the Revolution and rich, old-fashioned writing!

[Gail Oglesby · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly well researched book which carries you from England to the Colonies during the American Revolution. Edmund is a wonderful character who you come to care deeply about as well as many of the other main characters in the book. You feel their pain, their conflicts, their wounds and you come away with a new appreciation for the struggles these men, and women, endured.

Wonderfully well written, with passages that really capture your heart and will stay with you long after the book cover is closed. Ms. Balestri has a real masterpiece here and if there are more books to follow I will be first in line to read it. Well done!

[Ronald Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

"All Ye That Pass By" is a gripping tale of the seminal campaign of the American Revolution. It is unique in that it views the war from the British perspective and also deals with an under-appreciated aspect of the times; namely, the discrimination against English Catholics. Avellina Balestri shows her respect for history--a paramount feature of her writing--in crafting an intriguing novel filled with real-life and fictional characters.

[S.W. O'Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Gone for a Soldier" offers a vivid account of the Revolutionary War, blending historical accuracy with a compelling narrative. Rich in detail, the storytelling captivates, bringing to life the era's struggles and characters. Highly recommended for those who enjoy military and historical fiction.

[Joan Bauer]

The author has done a tremendous job on her research, and the premise is excellent!

[Clayton T · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful dramatization of complex times & complex motives in the Revolutionary War.

Most readers with an interest in American history understand the differences that led to the war between the Mother Country and her colonies. We know the Divine Right of Kings, the due subordination of the people to their Lords, and we know of self-evident truths, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and no taxation without representation, and the 27 grievances presented to King and Parliament, and so forth, but on both sides of the Atlantic, the truth was much more complicated. Over centuries, two completely divergent cultures had developed. Though speaking a common tongue, the thinking and attitudes of the two were polar opposites. Balestri is an American Catholic writer who commands a wealth of knowledge about both sides in this familial war. Her characters, mostly actual historical figures, are as complex and divided as the war itself. Balestri has characterized them quite accurately, based on historical records and personal accounts. Key players on both sides were indeed torn and pulled in different ways by the conflict. If you want simple motivations, straightforward battle accounts and strategies, you may not find this satisfying. On the other hand, if you are willing to follow along as characters unfold, develop and struggle, then you might be captivated.