I don't know of the English Civil War, or much of 17th century England for that matter, so some of the politics in this novel were admittedly a bit lost on me, but what I do appreciate about this story is the depth and sincerity (and tragedy) of this one family.
The book builds on the growing tensions between opposing sides, oppositions which slowly start to tear this family apart. I found them quite likeable all throughout – Hen, her father, and her brothers, Ned and Sam. I figured the story would be told mostly from Hen's POV, judging by the title and summary, but it's told from all the sibling's POVs. At first I was reluctant to appreciate this, but as I read it did come to serve the story and the heartbreaking tensions between this family.
I really enjoyed Hen's character – a girl too cunning and with aspirations above a woman's expected station. But she did what she could, given the circumstances, and she remained unwavering and true. And through it all she still loved and was rewarded with love – a love that had my heart smiling. Her relationships with her brothers highlights her neutrality, loving both, trying to keep them alive, and it was nice to see their individual devotions to her too. And as heartbreaking as it is, Hen does keep to her convictions until the very end, which makes an admirable character.
As much as the story gripped me, in a low-key way, I have to touch on what makes this book a low-key 4 stars for me. The flow of writing, narration and dialogue alike, was short and stunted the majority of the time. It had me reading in monotone much of the time.
Altogether, I enjoyed this book. I haven't read historical fiction in a little while and it comes with its own pleasures and struggles, but this was a solid "okay" for me.