Paladin

Firebrand #2

by Sarah MacTavish

When Lincoln calls for volunteers to put down the rebellion, four friends become soldiers for different reasons. Freedom. Justice. Love. Revenge. But they’re united by a secret… one of them is a girl in disguise.

“This is my country, and I aim to fight for it. You can help me, or get out of my way. Your choice.”

Hidden under an over-sized uniform and a false name, Saoirse Callahan strives to prove herself as strong and brave as any other soldier. But when an old enemy appears in camp, she knows it’s only a matter of time before her identity is exposed. And what will happen to her friends if she’s discovered?

“I’m quite certain what I am willing to die for. But taking a life is another matter entirely.”

Westleigh Kavanagh is a scholar, not a soldier. Still he enlists, because he believes their cause is holy–freedom for all, at any cost. When the bullets start flying, he realizes he’s made a terrible mistake. Too late to turn back, Westleigh prays that they’ll all make it home safely. But can his soul survive the journey?

Genres: Historical Fiction

460 pages, Paperback

Published April 12, 2019

About the author

Sarah MacTavish is a librarian-author who writes historical fiction for teens. She's also a gamer, cat lady, and Hufflepuff. When Sarah isn’t writing, she’s either gaming, working on the family tree, or reading Star Wars novels.

Connect with her online and get the latest updates on her books at www.sarahmactavish.com

Reviews

[Rachel Abarca-Contreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! No spoilers here, but this book left me with my mouth gaping and eyes watering. The characters I fell in love with in Firebrand were developed beautifully in Paladin, as was their story. The characters are so relatable, even for me as a 31 year old, and not in the target audience. The way MacTavish embeds history into the story would make it an excellent novel study for high school students studying the Civil War. I must advise anyone who has not started the Firebrand series to just wait until they’re all published- unless patience in waiting is a strong suit. Like Firebrand, Paladin will be a story I recommend to everyone. I eagerly await Book 3!!!

[Chris Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pterodactyl noise. This book is so good I have no words just pterodactyl noise

[Rae Ann Huggins-Ledbetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will fall in love with the characters!

Excellent book! Insight on the horrors of the Civil War along with great characters you will fall in love with!

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking forward to the next volume!

[Dana Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart warming, gut wrenching, suspenseful, and packed with brave young adults just trying to do the right thing for mankind.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love reading historical fiction, the story of the Civil War, lots of action, and learning more about the fight to end slavery: then this book is for you! Paladdin is the sequel to Firebrand and continues the stories of Westleigh, Saoirse, Jack, and Allison as the Civil War ignites across the U.S. I don't want to spoil any of the highlights here, but believe me you won't want to miss it :)

[B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strong description of the horrors of close-range warfare and the mixed motivations of the volunteer union army. The characters from the earlier novel, however, barely advance in this one.