Guns of Thunder

Faith and Freedom #1

by Douglas Bond

The M’Kethe clan finds itself in pre-Revolutionary War Connecticut weathering a storm of religious and political upheaval. Ian M’Kethe is forced to make a choice against enormous odds in the face of rising conflict between the Colonists and the French with their Indian allies. Ian makes an unlikely friendship with Watookoog, an Indian, and risks everything but gains something he thought he had lost forever.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Young Adult, Childrens, Historical

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Douglas Bond, author of more than thirty books--several now in Dutch, Portuguese, Romanian, and Korean--is father of six, and grandfather of eleven--and counting--is Director for the Oxford Creative Writing Master Class and the Carolina Creative Writing Master Class, two-time Grace Award book finalist, adjunct instructor in Church history, recent advisory member to the national committee for Reformed University Fellowship, award-winning teacher, speaker at conferences, and leader of Church history tours in Europe.

Reviews

[Naomi McCullough · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I managed to grow up without having heard of the Faith and Freedom series is a mystery.

I truly enjoyed that; when I got to the chapter titled, "Jenkins Ear" I chuckled, as I had read a book set during that previously, but from the Spaniard-British side of things. Reading about our colonists from Connecticut etc was extra satisfying during the week of the Fourth of July.

It was a slower read than I was expecting, but once I got that realization in mind, I enjoyed the storyline immensely. I think we should have more books written so.

[Timothy Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit slow at the beginning, but was enjoyable for the while family eventually. I anticipate the next books to move at a better pace.

[Amanda Geaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son (6th grade) read all 3 books in this trilogy in 3 1/2 days. This is his review of this title which was originally posted on ChristianShelfEsteem.wordpress.com.

Guns of Thunder, the first book in the Faith and Freedom series, was awesome! Not only does it tell about war, it accurately tells about colonial history and how the weapons were used. It also includes a detailed description of how Christians lived in colonial times. This book is perfect for people my age because of the challenge and adventure included in the story. Halfway through the book, I got accustomed to the accent. Since there are no pictures, it allows people to freely imagine the story as it unfolded.

I like how Ian is generous and thinks about the people he fights and how he puts his family first. I also like how the Indian Watookoog developed from a stranger to a helpful friend and ally. He helps in the most difficult times and teaches Ian how to use weapons. The book is full of action because of the French and Indian war, which took place before the Revolutionary war (and, in a way, starting it because they had to pay for food, powder, and lead for them AND the British). This book is worth the time to read. My rating of this book is 5 out of 5!

[Josiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent work of historical fiction. Light in reading level but with solid worldview and theology, good character development, and a refreshingly realistic character told with skill and energy.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ian would love nothing more than to make money off his crops and head to Yale for an education, but when war against the French reaches his home, he decides to work alongside the mysterious Indian Watookoog to face the enemy. Bond offers young readers an intriguing story of how faith in the Lord reaches us in even the hardest moments of life. Will Ian be able to keep himself alive long enough to return home to the family?

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book filled with Biblical enriching character building. It started a little slow and really picked up as it went along.

I would recommend this for ages 12 and up. At one point the main character asked why an aunt always wore a lace veil and she was scalped. There is war/battle in the book although none or gory or described in detail.

[Kevin Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the story! It is great. The characters seem to be real. This book is magical!

[Bethany (CozyLittleBookNook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

some of the best books you will ever read, my mom read them to me and my siblings when we where young and I still love them, I need to reread them ASP.

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book! I loved the unique setting and learning so much about the pre-revolutionary war years.

[Melanie Tillman]

I read this to see if it would be a good book to read with my upcoming 8th grader for homeschool. Told from the point of view of a young teenager, filled with both action and fascinating historical detail, this book will be perfect for my son.

[Jill Williamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As war nears, Ian M’Kethe is too young to go. His grandfather teaches him to hunt, along with Watookoog, an Indian, who hunts with a bow. Ian takes care of the farm by himself, growing a crop of corn and selling it to provide form his family. Although he really wants a new rifle, he makes a sacrifice and purchases a pair of spectacles for his cousin Roland instead. For the first time in ages, Roland can see clearly.

When the war arrives, Roland enlists. Ian is still too young to go. He continues to work his cornfields and take care of his family. When Roland is taken prisoner at Louisbourg, Ian in consumed with worry. Had Roland been injured? Lost his spectacles? Would the French force him to fight against his own colonials?

Now eighteen, Ian leaves his family and goes to war. But he doesn’t get to fight. He find himself engage in manual labor, salvaging debris, moving cannons, digging trenches, and building. One day when he is gathering firewood, he is shot at. An Indian attacks him. But before the Indian can finish him off, Frenchmen take him prisoner.

This is an intriguing story of a boy’s life during the French & Indian War. There is a lot of history packed in here, including some historical issues of faith. Overall the story was interesting as were the historical facts and Ian’s life on the farm. I recommend this book, especially for those looking for a bit of North American history.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the first book of the Faith & Freedom series (the sequel to the Crown & Covenant series), we're introduced to the great grandson of Duncan M'Kethe: Ian. Colonial America is on the eve of the French and Indian War but between tediously tilling the family plot of land, defending the corn from hungry birds, and attending grammar school, Ian has little time to worry about the pending conflict. But when his best friend, Roland, is captured by the French during the Raid on Canso, Ian enlists in the army and along with his Indian mentor Watokoog, sets off with the colonial army to capture Louisbourg and hopefully free Roland.
Read the rest of my review here: http://gloriakluth.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Rachel L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picking up about 60 years after the end of the Crown and Covenant series, this book chronicles the further adventures of the M'Kethe family in 1740's Connecticut. Some interesting history, but overall the plot doesn't hold together too well; there were some loose ends and it didn't flow as well as it could have.

[Karla M]

I was looking for a few books to help cover the French-Indian wars. It is a good combination with Cooper's "Deerslayer" and "Last of the Mohicans." Much simplier than those two.

[Michael Huntsman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good. But it needed the excitement and action more spread out.

[Jonathan Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent family reading! Douglas Bond does a great job of continuing the story of the Covenanters who came from Scotland in his Crown and Covenant trilogy.

[Jenna]

Continuation of the Crown & Covenant series, following the M'Keith family. A gripping read for the Christian reader!