Snakebit: Prelude to War (Snakebit Series

by John Poniske

The Western Maryland, Garret family, struggle to maintain their farm as their neighbors argue the slavery issue. They live in a border state where folks take both sides and emotions run hot. Their stoic matriarch, known only as "Mother" holds the family together in the absence of her dead husband. The deceased patriarch, Valentine,was a giant of a man both in stature and character. He acts as the family conscience and mentor throughout the novel. It is his admonition that people who get snakebit think and act crazy which is how he viewed the state of the country when he died. Gabe the eldest and an adventurer, has wandered off to Bleeding Kansas. This has left taciturn Geoffrey, the spitting image of Valentine. as man of the house. Intelligent and beautiful, Becca is being suited by two beaus, twins no less. But she aspires to something better than being just a backwoods wife. Samuel is the youngest is the wildest member of the clan. Impetuous and ornery. he keeps the family occupied - for good or ill. As the novel progresses historical characters are also introduced including Abraham Lincoln, future President of the Union and Alexander Stephens, future vice President of the Confederacy. Some characters attend historical milestones like the 1859 Republican Political Convention in Chicago, the Contentious Democratic Convention in Charleston South Carolina and the tense trial of John Brown in Charles Town, Virginia. In each instance the question of race tears at the fabric of American society. Ultimately, bitter recriminations lead to secession and war in book two, FIRE-EATERS. Each chapter of each book is a self-contained story. just as each book can stand alone. But through it all the Garretts, their friends and family tell our American story, the story we didn't hear about in school.

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2021

Reviews

[John Poniske · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the author, so this is a shameless promotion, but how else do I get the word out. Snakebit is the first of a Fictional Civil War/Reconstruction Series in which a Western Maryland family witnesses the growing divisions, then gradually enters into most every phase of the war and the optimistic yet contentious period that followed. This first novel deals with 1859-1860 or - the prelude to war. Note I only rate this five stars because that is all it has received on Amazon

[Diane Kurtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snakebit: Prelude to War is a powerful and thoughtfully constructed historical novel that captures the tension, uncertainty, and moral fractures of America on the brink of the Civil War. Rather than focusing solely on famous battles or political speeches, John Poniske grounds the story in the lived experiences of the Garrett family, making history feel immediate, personal, and deeply human.

What stood out most to me was how effectively the novel portrays a nation “thinking and acting crazy,” as Valentine Garrett famously observes. That idea threads through the entire book, reflecting how fear, ideology, and division seep into everyday life. The Garrett family members are richly drawn, each representing different responses to a country tearing itself apart duty, ambition, rebellion, restraint, and quiet endurance.

The episodic chapter structure works particularly well, allowing each moment to feel complete while still contributing to a larger narrative arc. I also appreciated how historical figures and events are woven into the story without overwhelming it. Lincoln, John Brown, and the political conventions feel organic to the plot, reinforcing the sense that ordinary families were living alongside extraordinary, history-shaping moments.

This is not just a novel about war, but about the forces that make war inevitable misunderstanding, moral compromise, and unresolved injustice. Snakebit: Prelude to War offers a compelling perspective on American history that feels both intimate and unsettlingly relevant.

A strong, engaging read for anyone interested in historical fiction that prioritizes character, conscience, and the human cost of national division.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. Had me going through so many emotions reading this…the horrid plight of the slaves made me wince and want to cry; the Irish girl who had to hide her identity made me feel sorry for her; and the loving family who the novel centered around made me proud with their stance. An amazing work of historical fiction. I won this on Goodreads & a big thank you to them for gifting me this wonderful book!

[Cdt Mentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique Read with Historical Cultures

Very glad to have experienced this adventure you have provided. Not just fiction, not just fact. Very involved characters and plots.