What do you think?
Rate this book
Saratoga
Author and teacher Tom Durwood's new installment of richly illustrated historical fiction, The Illustrated Colonials, brings us an unconventional look at the American Revolution. Six wealthy kids from around the globe join the Bostonian cause, finding love and treachery along the path to liberty in three successive novellas of global empirical literature.
BOOK THREE: SARATOGA
The Colonials continue their resolve to aid the global cause of brotherhood and natural rights, no matter the cost. In the concluding book of The Illustrated Colonials series, they learn that these ideas of liberty and equality bring unexpected consequences.
Disinherited by his father and transformed from a ‘roly-poly prince’ into a lean, tough-minded rifleman, Mahmoud crosses the Atlantic. Two men follow his trail: his protector, Kace, and the assassin Taquin.
Meanwhile, Will is able to finance Shay’s far-reaching gambit – one that gathers Colonial alliances with Dutch merchants, Catherine the Great, the Ottoman Admiralty, and Chinese seafaring cartels.
It all comes to a head at the Battle of Saratoga, where lessons from military history and a case of mistaken identity lead to a surprising outcome.
BOOK THREE: SARATOGA
The Colonials continue their resolve to aid the global cause of brotherhood and natural rights, no matter the cost. In the concluding book of The Illustrated Colonials series, they learn that these ideas of liberty and equality bring unexpected consequences.
Disinherited by his father and transformed from a ‘roly-poly prince’ into a lean, tough-minded rifleman, Mahmoud crosses the Atlantic. Two men follow his trail: his protector, Kace, and the assassin Taquin.
Meanwhile, Will is able to finance Shay’s far-reaching gambit – one that gathers Colonial alliances with Dutch merchants, Catherine the Great, the Ottoman Admiralty, and Chinese seafaring cartels.
It all comes to a head at the Battle of Saratoga, where lessons from military history and a case of mistaken identity lead to a surprising outcome.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2021
About the author
Tom Durwood
24 books50 followersTom Durwood is a teacher, writer and editor with an interest in history. Tom most recently taught English Composition and Empire and Literature at Valley Forge Military College, where he won the Teacher of the Year Award five times.
Early reader response to Tom’s historical fiction adventures has been promising. “A true pleasure … the richness of the layers of Tom’s novel is compelling,” writes Fatima Sharrafedine in her foreword to “The Illustrated Boatman’s Daughter.”
The Midwest Book Review calls that same adventure “uniformly gripping and educational … pairing action and adventure with social issues.” Adds Prairie Review, “A deeply intriguing, ambitious historical fiction series.”
Tom earned a Masters in English Literature in San Diego, where he also served as Executive Director of San Diego Habitat for Humanity.
Two of Tom’s books, “Kid Lit” and “The Illustrated Boatman’s Daughter,” were selected “Best of the New” by Julie Sara Porter’s Bookworm Book Alert 2021.
His new book, "An Introduction to Higher Math: Five Concepts Taken from the 'Ruby Pi' Stories (Ruby Pi Adventure Series)" is out now on Amazon!
👉 https://amzn.to/3ZyiA4l
Visit the links below for free pdf's to read a sample of each book!
https://www.themathgirls.com
https://www.boatmansdaughter.com
https://www.mycolonials.com
https://www.teddystantrum.com
https://www.kidlitcrit.com
https://www.empirestudies.com
https://www.usginchina.com
Early reader response to Tom’s historical fiction adventures has been promising. “A true pleasure … the richness of the layers of Tom’s novel is compelling,” writes Fatima Sharrafedine in her foreword to “The Illustrated Boatman’s Daughter.”
The Midwest Book Review calls that same adventure “uniformly gripping and educational … pairing action and adventure with social issues.” Adds Prairie Review, “A deeply intriguing, ambitious historical fiction series.”
Tom earned a Masters in English Literature in San Diego, where he also served as Executive Director of San Diego Habitat for Humanity.
Two of Tom’s books, “Kid Lit” and “The Illustrated Boatman’s Daughter,” were selected “Best of the New” by Julie Sara Porter’s Bookworm Book Alert 2021.
His new book, "An Introduction to Higher Math: Five Concepts Taken from the 'Ruby Pi' Stories (Ruby Pi Adventure Series)" is out now on Amazon!
👉 https://amzn.to/3ZyiA4l
Visit the links below for free pdf's to read a sample of each book!
https://www.themathgirls.com
https://www.boatmansdaughter.com
https://www.mycolonials.com
https://www.teddystantrum.com
https://www.kidlitcrit.com
https://www.empirestudies.com
https://www.usginchina.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 2, 2021
Mahmoud has been changed a lot and he is performing the duties as Navigator’s mate of the German ship Jungfrau. They reached Boston, the city at war. His journey to the new world is not an easy run and everything is in a time of turmoil.
The third book of the series revolves around a coastal region with canals and ships. The battlefield is not forgiving to anyone. The war between the British and Colonials has drawn Mahmoud to choke on blood. What will happen to the brave soul and their pact? I do not want to interrupt the readers' curiosity.
The story is breathtaking and emotional. The twists are unpredictable, and the readers will feel the same sentiments through the exceptional writings of the author. Each chapter reflects the cruelty, wickedness of war. Unlike previous books, this made me more attentive and sympathetic.
Overall, the character development is excellent throughout the whole series. each book retains its own uniqueness. The maps are ideal to understand the journey. The colorful illustrations stick the readers to the story. I enjoyed the series very much and thank you Tom Durwood for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The expected arrival date is 7/04/2021. Hope you all enjoy the read.
The third book of the series revolves around a coastal region with canals and ships. The battlefield is not forgiving to anyone. The war between the British and Colonials has drawn Mahmoud to choke on blood. What will happen to the brave soul and their pact? I do not want to interrupt the readers' curiosity.
The story is breathtaking and emotional. The twists are unpredictable, and the readers will feel the same sentiments through the exceptional writings of the author. Each chapter reflects the cruelty, wickedness of war. Unlike previous books, this made me more attentive and sympathetic.
Overall, the character development is excellent throughout the whole series. each book retains its own uniqueness. The maps are ideal to understand the journey. The colorful illustrations stick the readers to the story. I enjoyed the series very much and thank you Tom Durwood for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The expected arrival date is 7/04/2021. Hope you all enjoy the read.
October 12, 2021
Spoilers: So this is it.
We come to the last final volume in Tom Durwood's The Illustrated Colonials series. We reach the final adventures of Jaiyi Mei Ying, Prince Mahmoud, Sheyndil, Leo, Will O., And Gilbert du Motier and it ends on a high note. While the first book, The Pact is my personal favorite, Saratoga brings the characters forward allowing them to adapt and accept their roles in a new world. The teens are now ready to leave their youth, ascend into adulthood, and become the leaders that they were trained to become.
The plot mostly focuses on Prince Mahmoud who apparently ties with Mei Ying as Durwood's favorite characters in the ensemble (since they receive the lion's share of attention in both this and Home Fronts).
Mahmoud travels to the future United States to deliver documents of alliance and finance to Gilbert who is busy filling the role history and popular culture (such as a famous Tony Award winning Broadway hip hop musical) have bestowed upon him as "America's favorite fighting Frenchman," the Marquis De Lafayette.
After enduring a very uncomfortable sea voyage Mahmoud encounters loyalist spy, Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne, a meeting that ends with him being kidnapped. Mahmoud manages to make his escape and is caught in the middle of the Battles of Beckman's Mill and Saratoga.
Meanwhile, Leo's military strategy and Will's business contacts end up becoming quite fruitful for them as people come directly to Will to work for him. Unfortunately, on his way to travel to Boston Harbor to join his buddies, Leo is threatened with a duel and subsequently betrayed. Sheyndil and Mei Ying take their lessons to the home front to battle local opposing forces with the same drive and dedication that their male counterparts possess.
It would be nice to see the Enlightenment Six reunite perhaps on American soil. One of the gifts that the first volume had was the ensemble cast. These were kids from different countries with diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, economic status, goals, and roles in society. Each one grew and adapted, becoming a close group of friends and better individuals. It would have been a nice payoff to see them reunite physically, perhaps in the United States during the American Revolution or back in Alsace-Lorraine after the war ended. Instead, they spend the book apart and only a few see each other again.
However, it also makes sense that Durwood would do this approach. It gives a chance for the characters to make individual contributions, using their various talents and contributions in their own way. Many of those contributions are made within their own countries but lead to the ultimate goal of uniting each other. They also are able to evolve into leaders on their own merits.
The one who benefited the most from this approach was certainly Mahmoud. I was not kidding when I speculated that he is probably Durwood's favorite character. He certainly has shown the most development in the three volumes.
In the first book, The Pact, he was a spoiled arrogant Prince certain of his own place as a royal and put everyone around him into little boxes of nobles, slaves, etc. Through his education, he learned different philosophies and looked at a larger world around him.
The second book , Home Fronts, featured Mahmoud verbally sparring with his family in Ottoman Turkey when he realizes that he has changed but they have not. His philosophies are spoken and theoretical. They are not yet practiced.
Saratoga is the completion of Mahmoud's journey. He is finally able to physically put what he learned into practice and become an accomplished freedom fighter. Throughout this book, he is able to use his strength and intelligence to outfight and outwit his enemies. He proves to be clever at escaping from captivity and active as he fights in battle. He has clearly changed a lot and it is wonderful watching him grow so much into a hero.
The other reason that it makes sense for the characters to have their stories come to an end on their own is to emphasize the international concerns of The Illustrated Colonials series as a whole. While part of the series is set in North America and the covers show an emphasis on the American Revolution, the series expands on by taking on international concerns in France, China, Russia, The Netherlands, Germany, and Turkey later expanding into The United States and Africa. This is very important as it shows oppression and tyranny wears many faces and that there are many people who suffered under it. There were also people who fought against it and shared the same values of equality and loyalty. This isn't just an American struggle, it's a global struggle.
Of course, as with many final volumes, there is great loss. Some characters don't make it, leaving many tears from friends, family, and a few from the Reader. Some ascend and become well known in their own right. Years later, one character acknowledges the other's roles in the world that they helped to create. It is a very satisfactying ending as the character is addressing a college of young people, thereby recognizing the leadership that their friends took and passing the mantle to the next generation.
Saratoga is a terrific ending to a wonderful YA series. Hopefully, young people will discover and read it, love the characters and setting, and maybe just learn a thing or two about friendship and equality along the way.
We come to the last final volume in Tom Durwood's The Illustrated Colonials series. We reach the final adventures of Jaiyi Mei Ying, Prince Mahmoud, Sheyndil, Leo, Will O., And Gilbert du Motier and it ends on a high note. While the first book, The Pact is my personal favorite, Saratoga brings the characters forward allowing them to adapt and accept their roles in a new world. The teens are now ready to leave their youth, ascend into adulthood, and become the leaders that they were trained to become.
The plot mostly focuses on Prince Mahmoud who apparently ties with Mei Ying as Durwood's favorite characters in the ensemble (since they receive the lion's share of attention in both this and Home Fronts).
Mahmoud travels to the future United States to deliver documents of alliance and finance to Gilbert who is busy filling the role history and popular culture (such as a famous Tony Award winning Broadway hip hop musical) have bestowed upon him as "America's favorite fighting Frenchman," the Marquis De Lafayette.
After enduring a very uncomfortable sea voyage Mahmoud encounters loyalist spy, Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne, a meeting that ends with him being kidnapped. Mahmoud manages to make his escape and is caught in the middle of the Battles of Beckman's Mill and Saratoga.
Meanwhile, Leo's military strategy and Will's business contacts end up becoming quite fruitful for them as people come directly to Will to work for him. Unfortunately, on his way to travel to Boston Harbor to join his buddies, Leo is threatened with a duel and subsequently betrayed. Sheyndil and Mei Ying take their lessons to the home front to battle local opposing forces with the same drive and dedication that their male counterparts possess.
It would be nice to see the Enlightenment Six reunite perhaps on American soil. One of the gifts that the first volume had was the ensemble cast. These were kids from different countries with diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, economic status, goals, and roles in society. Each one grew and adapted, becoming a close group of friends and better individuals. It would have been a nice payoff to see them reunite physically, perhaps in the United States during the American Revolution or back in Alsace-Lorraine after the war ended. Instead, they spend the book apart and only a few see each other again.
However, it also makes sense that Durwood would do this approach. It gives a chance for the characters to make individual contributions, using their various talents and contributions in their own way. Many of those contributions are made within their own countries but lead to the ultimate goal of uniting each other. They also are able to evolve into leaders on their own merits.
The one who benefited the most from this approach was certainly Mahmoud. I was not kidding when I speculated that he is probably Durwood's favorite character. He certainly has shown the most development in the three volumes.
In the first book, The Pact, he was a spoiled arrogant Prince certain of his own place as a royal and put everyone around him into little boxes of nobles, slaves, etc. Through his education, he learned different philosophies and looked at a larger world around him.
The second book , Home Fronts, featured Mahmoud verbally sparring with his family in Ottoman Turkey when he realizes that he has changed but they have not. His philosophies are spoken and theoretical. They are not yet practiced.
Saratoga is the completion of Mahmoud's journey. He is finally able to physically put what he learned into practice and become an accomplished freedom fighter. Throughout this book, he is able to use his strength and intelligence to outfight and outwit his enemies. He proves to be clever at escaping from captivity and active as he fights in battle. He has clearly changed a lot and it is wonderful watching him grow so much into a hero.
The other reason that it makes sense for the characters to have their stories come to an end on their own is to emphasize the international concerns of The Illustrated Colonials series as a whole. While part of the series is set in North America and the covers show an emphasis on the American Revolution, the series expands on by taking on international concerns in France, China, Russia, The Netherlands, Germany, and Turkey later expanding into The United States and Africa. This is very important as it shows oppression and tyranny wears many faces and that there are many people who suffered under it. There were also people who fought against it and shared the same values of equality and loyalty. This isn't just an American struggle, it's a global struggle.
Of course, as with many final volumes, there is great loss. Some characters don't make it, leaving many tears from friends, family, and a few from the Reader. Some ascend and become well known in their own right. Years later, one character acknowledges the other's roles in the world that they helped to create. It is a very satisfactying ending as the character is addressing a college of young people, thereby recognizing the leadership that their friends took and passing the mantle to the next generation.
Saratoga is a terrific ending to a wonderful YA series. Hopefully, young people will discover and read it, love the characters and setting, and maybe just learn a thing or two about friendship and equality along the way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2021
In “Saratoga,” the final installment of Durwood’s Illustrated Colonials series, readers find the young heroes more determined than ever. Mahmoud, disinherited by his father, crosses the Atlantic to aid the colonials’ cause. Two additional men are dispatched to follow Mahmoud. One man is assigned as his protector and the other, his assassin. During the voyage, Mahmoud matures and transforms from a pudgy teenager into a lean young man. As he lands in Boston, resolves to find Gilbert and deliver the important documents that will aid the Americans both financially and in strength with new alliances. Along the way, Mahmoud meets Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne and finds himself at odds with the British leader. Mahmoud is then kidnapped and eventually rescued by a Native American brave. After a series of events, Mahmoud is reunited with his protector, Kace. Mahmoud then reveals his tactical skills and aids the Americans at the battle of Saratoga.
The papers delivered to Gilbert go to Benjamin Franklin, who then presents them to the King of France. As each letter is revealed to the King, the pact between the six main characters comes to fruition. Alliances are formed between Dutch merchants, Catherine the Great, the Ottoman Admiralty, and Chinese seafaring cartels. Each of these institutions has promised France great rewards if they aid the Americans. The heroes have fulfilled their promise made in Book One: The Pact. At the end, each of the main characters who survived are still fighting for the American ideals bestowed upon them by their beloved school masters.
Tom Durwood’s third installment of the Illustrated Colonials does not disappoint. His creative storylines culminate in the ultimate win for the Colonials. The innovative way he places these young heroes into the narrative creates a more enjoyable journey for tween, teen, and adult readers. While the tweens and teens are following the story to see what happens next, the adults are reading to see how Durwood utilizes his characters to influence a war in which they already know the outcome. Those who enjoy historical fiction will fall in love with Durwood’s story. In addition, those who crave adventure will also enjoy the journey these characters experience. Therefore, it is the opinion of this reader that all audiences from age 10 and up will enjoy this exciting book, “Saratoga: The Illustrated Colonials Book Three.” However, one should also read Book One: The Pact and Book Two: Home Fronts in order to appreciate the entire story of these young heroes.
The papers delivered to Gilbert go to Benjamin Franklin, who then presents them to the King of France. As each letter is revealed to the King, the pact between the six main characters comes to fruition. Alliances are formed between Dutch merchants, Catherine the Great, the Ottoman Admiralty, and Chinese seafaring cartels. Each of these institutions has promised France great rewards if they aid the Americans. The heroes have fulfilled their promise made in Book One: The Pact. At the end, each of the main characters who survived are still fighting for the American ideals bestowed upon them by their beloved school masters.
Tom Durwood’s third installment of the Illustrated Colonials does not disappoint. His creative storylines culminate in the ultimate win for the Colonials. The innovative way he places these young heroes into the narrative creates a more enjoyable journey for tween, teen, and adult readers. While the tweens and teens are following the story to see what happens next, the adults are reading to see how Durwood utilizes his characters to influence a war in which they already know the outcome. Those who enjoy historical fiction will fall in love with Durwood’s story. In addition, those who crave adventure will also enjoy the journey these characters experience. Therefore, it is the opinion of this reader that all audiences from age 10 and up will enjoy this exciting book, “Saratoga: The Illustrated Colonials Book Three.” However, one should also read Book One: The Pact and Book Two: Home Fronts in order to appreciate the entire story of these young heroes.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews