The General's Watch: (The Enlightened book 2)

by Kiersten Marcil

Twenty-first century attorney, Savannah Moore, fights for survival in America's Revolutionary War alongside Captain Jonathan Wythe, who is hunted by a dark entity that threatens his secret mission and vow to help her find her way home.

The General’s Watch is the second book of a five-part series, The Enlightened. The story begins approximately a half-hour after the events of book one, Witness to the Revolution.How can I trust the stranger who vowed to protect me when he’s the same man who murders me in my dreams?

Plagued by a curse that stripped Savannah of her memories, she’s forced to journey with the one man the curse causes her to fear – Jonathan. Their only clue to discovering Savannah’s family steers them toward America’s newest stronghold at West Point. But the construction on the river draws the attention of darker forces than simple redcoats, and every step that brings Savannah closer to remembering who she is, leads to the realization that she and Jonathan are more than they first appeared to be.

338 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2024

Reviews

[Missi Martin (Stockwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers fell in love with Savannah Moore and Captain Jonathan Wythe in Witness to the Revolution, the first book in the Enlightened Series. In that first book Savannah is out walking her dog one minute and the next she is in the woods in the middle of the Revolutionary War !! Savannah finds that she is connected to one of the soldiers, Captain Jonathan Wythe and he is the key to returning her to her own time. Unfortunately she has to experience a lot first.

Now in the second book, The General's Watch, Savannah learns more about her connection with Wythe and learns about the magical components linking them. She wears a key around her neck that he insists she wears, this has a protection spell attached to it. And she is going to need protecting because Wythe will be sent on a mission and she will be left at West Point under the watch of others. Other soldiers that she does not know or trust. Sadly Savannah is also struggling with her memories, she does not remember much of her past and is trying to remember and Captain Wythe is something she remembers but only pieces.

All that Savannah knows is that Captain Jonathan Wythe is the key to her survival and the link to get her home. But they have a lot ahead of them that they need to work together to overcome the obstacles.

[Eugene A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Experiencing the American Revolution with an Engaging Twist


Are you interested in expanding your Revolutionary War knowledge into new areas, especially to understand daily life? Well-researched fictional accounts provide a “seat at the table,” enabling readers to appreciate better what it was like to experience the wartime transition from colonial times to America’s founding. Like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hip-hop musical score in Hamilton, adding a fantasy component to historical fiction generates considerable interest and captivates new readers.

Revolutionary Era expert Kiersten Marcil does just that in her new book, The General’s Watch. Her captivating narrative includes dreams, curses, doppelgängers, apparitions, and spiritual possessions, adding a layer of intrigue and mystery to prominent Continental Army officers and historically accurate Revolutionary War activities in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her story centers around constructing a massive iron chain spanning the Hudson River and the West Point fortress to inhibit British ships from passing upstream to Albany and severing New England from the southern colonies. Marcil researched muster rolls and other primary sources as inspiration for the book’s notable and forgotten characters, most of whom are real people who served at West Point or lived in the Hudson highlands.

The General’s Watch picks up the exploits of the Witness to the Revolution protagonists, Savannah Moore and Jonathan Wythe, half an hour after the first book's conclusion. The narrative switches back and forth between historical fiction and fantasy, building trepidation and intrigue. Adding realism, readers learn eighteenth-century expressions such as “God’s teeth.” Marcil gives Polish volunteer and Continental Colonel Thaddeus Kosciuszko a central role and features his various exclamations in his native Polish language. Readers also gain insights into West Point garrison life, including the camaraderie and conflicts between and among several prickly Continental Army generals. Today’s West Point visitors will appreciate her depiction of the post’s parade grounds and river view promenade.

I highly recommend The General’s Watch for the historical accuracy of the book’s details, such as peoples’ dress, food, speech, and the personalities of important historical figures. Adding suspenseful fantasy is like the whipped cream on a meticulously crafted historical fiction pie!

See the author's website for more on Kiersten Marcil, her writing, and how to order a copy of The General’s Watch.

[Fawn Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm invested in this series. I need to know what happens to Savannah Moore, modern day woman thrust into the Revolutionary War, and the honorable, otherworldly Jonathan Wythe.

Mostly I just live for the moments when he's touching her wrist or hand. The slow burn romance is that good.

Savvy (as she's known) has some heroic scenes where she shines. She builds a lot of relationships as they build the fort at West Point. Thaddeus Kościuszko is an amazing character based on the real life engineer of West Point. This book had me googling and enjoying learning about the American Revolution.

Savvy has a lot of frustrating public scenes with Jonathan that felt very "this meeting could have been an email" as she would say- or rather an honest, private conversation with Jonathan. Oh yeah, and her memory has been blocked by a spell so she really can't put 2+2 together and can't even remember she has a son waiting for in modern times.

The supernatural bits were really evocative. I love imagining there's secret fantastical undercurrents to turning points in history. Savvy's realizing she has some powers, although she's not like Jonathan. The scope of these elements are slowly unfurling and leave me wanting more! Can't wait for the next in the series!

[Ann Marie Piche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savannah Moore wakes up in a fog of horror and fear. She doesn’t know where she is. All she knows is that the fear and pain deepens the closer Captain Jonathan Wythe, gets to her. But it’s Jonathan’s mysterious powers that calm her pain and fear yet her memories remain lost. The only thing certain in Savannah’s mind is that she wants to go home, wherever that may be. Jonathan gives Savannah a special key claiming that it will protect her along with Jonathan’s vow to protect and take her back to her family. Soon they're on their way where war mixed with the supernatural takes them on a perilous journey through the American Revolution and the surrounding area of West Point where dark forces lie in wait testing both Savannah and Jonathan. Will Savannah’s memories return? Will Jonathan's protection be enough?

Author Kiersten Marcel's knowledge of historical events of the American Revolution is displayed in detail throughout the entire story taking the reader on a mystical adventure into the past filled with mystery between two people brought together from different places in time.

[Kat Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome wordsmithing. This author knows how to make the words sing and pull you into the story.

Dreams, curses, doppelgängers, apparitions, and spiritual possessions bring intrigue and depth to this story. The author has beautifully depicted Savannah with a severe concussion and her road to recovery. The journey to recovery is fraught with lost memories and nightmares. What is real and what isn't real? In her heart, she knows Jonathon won't hurt her but in her nightmares, he is the one who murders her.

This story embraces you and you keep reading to discover what happens next. I want the rest of the story to read.

[Kaitlyn Marquart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcil does it again! Continuing the saga of Savannah's journey back in time, this book is another literary, historical treat. With lyrical storytelling, Savvy's quick wit, and Captain Wythe's smooth charm, The General's Watch had me soaking up every word. New characters were a delightful addition! Looking forward to reading Book Three!!

[Jessna Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an usually historical fiction reader only.... the fantasy/dark spirit side of the book sometimes took me a moment, but the twists and turns in Savvy's story kept me diving deeper. The end surprise had me on edge for the next book!

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent imaginative book. Savannah Moore, recently divorced in a very messy divorce finds herself during an ordinary walk in the woods being transported to Revolutionary War era New York State and is captured by a Captain in General Washington's army. She is now witnessing the construction of the Fort which will become West Point. She is also aware of a strange and evil presence that wants to influence this war and she is unknowingly tied to it. Advice, read this author's first book in this series, Witness to the Revolution first.