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Brutalized
In seventeenth-century Dublin, Ireland, pre-teen Callum McCarthy is shipped to the English Colonies where he will endure horrors of the Irish slave trade. Intense and powerful, JR Thompson’s Brutalized explores ideas of greed, loneliness and despair, determination, and faith.
Growing up in an area where poor Irish families are as welcome as malaria, Callum, the son of a drunkard father and neglectful mother, already has the odds stacked against him. But when the boy is kidnapped from his own home, he’s plunged into a living nightmare.
Upon arrival in America, a cruel man by the name of Josiah Gillcrest makes Callum his ill-treated workhorse. Bone-chilling secrets Callum uncovers on the tobacco plantation force him to make difficult decisions. Should he make a run for it? Kill the wicked overseer, who happens to be his master’s son? Lead a slave uprising? The possibilities are endless.
Mystery, brutality, and deep, dirty secrets saturate Brutalized as Thompson shares truths of white slavery from Ireland and Germany to Colonial America. Callum’s detective skills could prove useful in bringing crucial changes to the plantation if they don’t kill him first.
Early readers have characterized Brutalized as “gripping,” “intriguing,” and “a story that needs to be told.”
Growing up in an area where poor Irish families are as welcome as malaria, Callum, the son of a drunkard father and neglectful mother, already has the odds stacked against him. But when the boy is kidnapped from his own home, he’s plunged into a living nightmare.
Upon arrival in America, a cruel man by the name of Josiah Gillcrest makes Callum his ill-treated workhorse. Bone-chilling secrets Callum uncovers on the tobacco plantation force him to make difficult decisions. Should he make a run for it? Kill the wicked overseer, who happens to be his master’s son? Lead a slave uprising? The possibilities are endless.
Mystery, brutality, and deep, dirty secrets saturate Brutalized as Thompson shares truths of white slavery from Ireland and Germany to Colonial America. Callum’s detective skills could prove useful in bringing crucial changes to the plantation if they don’t kill him first.
Early readers have characterized Brutalized as “gripping,” “intriguing,” and “a story that needs to be told.”
- GenresHistorical Fiction
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2022
169 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Thompson
17 books25 followersJR Thompson is a Christian novelist who is happily married to his lovely wife, Hannah. He pastors two churches in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. He loves hiking, and working his small MT ranch.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 4, 2022
This is a powerful story that grips at your heartstrings. The author draws you into Callum’s life with masterful skill. From the moment Callum is tragically taken from his parents with his siblings. You find yourself wrestling with the chains along side Callum as the ship makes its way to the American Colonies. As Callum goes through the humiliation of being sold to the highest bidder, your heart hurts for him.
He could have been bought by so many people but he landed at a plantation that offers a mystery to be solved.
The author introduces the gospel very gently through a fellow slave, and as Callum wrestles with his future, he wrestles with the idea of God.
I enjoyed this book and do highly recommend it. I am looking forward to reading book 2 of this series.
I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinion.
#Historicalfiction
#christianfiction
#irishslavetrade
#newrelease
#whattoreadnext
#readstagram
He could have been bought by so many people but he landed at a plantation that offers a mystery to be solved.
The author introduces the gospel very gently through a fellow slave, and as Callum wrestles with his future, he wrestles with the idea of God.
I enjoyed this book and do highly recommend it. I am looking forward to reading book 2 of this series.
I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinion.
#Historicalfiction
#christianfiction
#irishslavetrade
#newrelease
#whattoreadnext
#readstagram
August 4, 2022
This story was so very different from many others, and that is why it was so interesting and captivating in my opinion. The story starts off with a young boy and his siblings being kidnapped out of their own beds in Dublin, and being whisked away on a ship to the American Colonies, and sold to the highest bidder. What would become of Cullen and his family, and will they ever make it home to safety, or will slavery be their future?
This story definitely had my attention on the first page, and kept me wanting to know more and more as the story progressed with each chapter. The author added every element into the story to keep the reader engaged and the story flowing smoothly. One very nice surprise was the author added a wonderful mystery into the plot, and that added to the suspense and action of the story, and kept you on the edge of your seat, trying to guess what comes next. Although the book is Christian Fiction, I wish the characters had more of a relationship with Jesus, or that there was more of a salvation message woven into the story, which would have made it even better, but this is only book one, so that may come into light throughout the next book.
Also, I was very pleased and surprised that there was no romance in this story, which was perfect for me. Without that added in, it enabled the reader to focus on the mystery and what comes next with the characters and the plot. The author stirred up so many different emotions in this story and that shows the author can connect with the reader and make them feel they are actually seeing the story unfold and come to life. That type of talent engrossed me in the story and made me feel as I was really there experiencing the story before my eyes. I personally feel that is a good sign of a great writer, when they write the story and you are so pulled into the story and you feel like you are experiencing it yourself. I highly recommend reading this book and anything else by this wonderful author. I personally enjoyed the book so much that I pre ordered book two in the series.
I was given an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review, and this is my honest review as stated.
This story definitely had my attention on the first page, and kept me wanting to know more and more as the story progressed with each chapter. The author added every element into the story to keep the reader engaged and the story flowing smoothly. One very nice surprise was the author added a wonderful mystery into the plot, and that added to the suspense and action of the story, and kept you on the edge of your seat, trying to guess what comes next. Although the book is Christian Fiction, I wish the characters had more of a relationship with Jesus, or that there was more of a salvation message woven into the story, which would have made it even better, but this is only book one, so that may come into light throughout the next book.
Also, I was very pleased and surprised that there was no romance in this story, which was perfect for me. Without that added in, it enabled the reader to focus on the mystery and what comes next with the characters and the plot. The author stirred up so many different emotions in this story and that shows the author can connect with the reader and make them feel they are actually seeing the story unfold and come to life. That type of talent engrossed me in the story and made me feel as I was really there experiencing the story before my eyes. I personally feel that is a good sign of a great writer, when they write the story and you are so pulled into the story and you feel like you are experiencing it yourself. I highly recommend reading this book and anything else by this wonderful author. I personally enjoyed the book so much that I pre ordered book two in the series.
I was given an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review, and this is my honest review as stated.
November 20, 2022
Thoughts for the Soul
I knew about the Colonies,of course,but never knew they kidnapped mostly Irish youngsters & treated them like slaves,calling them red- legs and worse.
This is the first part in a continuing series, about a young boy named Callum,who was taken from his home,along with all his siblings.
After they put them in an old lorry of some kind,they drove off and next stopped & took all of them into an old bldg.
Callum,was separated from the rest of his family & taken to the waterfront, put on a large ship & shackled in the hold with hundreds of other unfortunates.
The trip to the Colonies was beyond torture,some died & the rest lived to face the auction block.
A good read, if your interested in the subject matter, it will definitely hold your attention.
This story takes place in 1602.
I knew about the Colonies,of course,but never knew they kidnapped mostly Irish youngsters & treated them like slaves,calling them red- legs and worse.
This is the first part in a continuing series, about a young boy named Callum,who was taken from his home,along with all his siblings.
After they put them in an old lorry of some kind,they drove off and next stopped & took all of them into an old bldg.
Callum,was separated from the rest of his family & taken to the waterfront, put on a large ship & shackled in the hold with hundreds of other unfortunates.
The trip to the Colonies was beyond torture,some died & the rest lived to face the auction block.
A good read, if your interested in the subject matter, it will definitely hold your attention.
This story takes place in 1602.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2022
I thought this book would be more of a historical novel. Perhaps it is to some degree.
October 22, 2022
Brutalized: A Novel of White Slaves in Colonial America
I was unfamiliar with young men being kidnapped in Ireland, put in ships, and transported to the colonies in America to be sold as slaves. As I looked through books for my next read, I was appalled to hear about white slavery. Boys and young men were taken across the ocean and sold on the slave markets that were near the seaport where they landed. Shockingly to me, young women and girls were also sold at the slave market.
This book introduced me to purchasers of these slaves. It seems that they were more likely to be mistreated than to be treated as family members.
This book is part of a series by JR Thompson. I could not put this book down because I was appalled by the treatment of these young people. There are 2 other books in this series. I will wait a few days to decide whether to read book 2 in the series.
This book tells about the mistreatment this young men and women suffered
I was unfamiliar with young men being kidnapped in Ireland, put in ships, and transported to the colonies in America to be sold as slaves. As I looked through books for my next read, I was appalled to hear about white slavery. Boys and young men were taken across the ocean and sold on the slave markets that were near the seaport where they landed. Shockingly to me, young women and girls were also sold at the slave market.
This book introduced me to purchasers of these slaves. It seems that they were more likely to be mistreated than to be treated as family members.
This book is part of a series by JR Thompson. I could not put this book down because I was appalled by the treatment of these young people. There are 2 other books in this series. I will wait a few days to decide whether to read book 2 in the series.
This book tells about the mistreatment this young men and women suffered
December 9, 2022
A little-known fact of history is that white slavery existed in Colonial America. And I do not mean indentured servitude, I mean slavery. (If you do some serious research, you will see I am right.) JR Thompson does an admirable job of exposing this truth in the story of Callum McCarthy, a twelve-year-old Irish youth who is stolen from his home in Dublin, shipped to the colonies under inhumane conditions, sold at auction, and forced to endure brutal cruelty.
The book is titled Brutalized and that is exactly what is done to Callum. I struggled with how to rate this book since, though it is an important book, there was no evident character arc, and the story seemed rather flat to me. I never felt the empathy I should have for Callum which I might have felt if his character was written with more depth.
In all, an interesting read for the historical framework of this “fictional” account
The book is titled Brutalized and that is exactly what is done to Callum. I struggled with how to rate this book since, though it is an important book, there was no evident character arc, and the story seemed rather flat to me. I never felt the empathy I should have for Callum which I might have felt if his character was written with more depth.
In all, an interesting read for the historical framework of this “fictional” account
December 18, 2022
jean38no
Most interesting subject. I never knew that the Irish were sold for slaves. I had heard of the people that were bond servants for a length of time. They then because free colonists. The Author takes you to the 16th century where children were seized out of their homes and off the streets of Dublin. They were shackled taken to ships and transported to the colonies. There they were sold as slaves called red leggers. The author takes you to the times, smells . You see how the colonist treated their slaves White and Black as we follow Callum the main character through his trials as a White slave.
Most interesting subject. I never knew that the Irish were sold for slaves. I had heard of the people that were bond servants for a length of time. They then because free colonists. The Author takes you to the 16th century where children were seized out of their homes and off the streets of Dublin. They were shackled taken to ships and transported to the colonies. There they were sold as slaves called red leggers. The author takes you to the times, smells . You see how the colonist treated their slaves White and Black as we follow Callum the main character through his trials as a White slave.
December 2, 2022
Unknown history
Completely shocked at hearing of Irish children kidnapped and sold to work as slaves in the plantations of the Carribean. St Patrick himself was sold as a slave ,but that was centuries earlier . Called redlegs because of the brutal sun,after coming from an island that rains over 250 days a year. Indentured servants sold themselves for a period of time, but even they were taken advantage of by the brutal owners. Totally heartbreaking, yet a story that must be told.
Completely shocked at hearing of Irish children kidnapped and sold to work as slaves in the plantations of the Carribean. St Patrick himself was sold as a slave ,but that was centuries earlier . Called redlegs because of the brutal sun,after coming from an island that rains over 250 days a year. Indentured servants sold themselves for a period of time, but even they were taken advantage of by the brutal owners. Totally heartbreaking, yet a story that must be told.
August 14, 2022
This historical fiction book had my attention from page 1. The story is about the Irish slave trade in the 1600s and is told through the life of a 12-year-old boy. It was amazing to learn about this part of world history.
How he lives, how he struggles with right and wrong, good and bad…and ugly…is all in there. It’s a book that’s hard to read at times; it’s also a book that is hard to put down.
I highly recommend this book.
How he lives, how he struggles with right and wrong, good and bad…and ugly…is all in there. It’s a book that’s hard to read at times; it’s also a book that is hard to put down.
I highly recommend this book.
July 9, 2023
Brutalized
I wasn’t sure I’d know what to say about this book. Though we’ll-written, the thought of young children being kidnapped to become slaves in a different country, not knowing what had happened to their parents and siblings, will haunt me. I realize that is what happened to so many in our country’s history, this book vividly and graphically brought the past to life. I can’t bring myself to read any subsequent books in the series.
I wasn’t sure I’d know what to say about this book. Though we’ll-written, the thought of young children being kidnapped to become slaves in a different country, not knowing what had happened to their parents and siblings, will haunt me. I realize that is what happened to so many in our country’s history, this book vividly and graphically brought the past to life. I can’t bring myself to read any subsequent books in the series.
August 7, 2022
“Fear is an enemy worth defeating.” Wow!! This was such an emotional read but it was so eye opening. I’ve never read anything on the Irish slave trade and it was heartbreaking to read about. At the same time, it was very well written and as a mystery lover I appreciated the author weaving one into the story. The ending also has me looking forward to reading more about what lies ahead for Callum.
August 10, 2022
We know about black slaves, but white people were enslaved too. This fiction story gives voice to the Irish slave. What makes men enslave other men? What drives men to hatred, greed, and murderous souls? A young Irish lad, Callum, introduces the reader to the perils of a slave’s life. This is a gripping novel for teens and adults.
August 13, 2022
Imagine being 12 years old and being kidnapped from your home in the middle of the night. You end up on a ship, chained to others, flat on your back, for many weeks. Then you are sold off to the highest bidder.
Cullen's story is brutal and heartbreaking. Also a must read.
You'll need tissues, lots of them.
I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book!!
Cullen's story is brutal and heartbreaking. Also a must read.
You'll need tissues, lots of them.
I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book!!
October 7, 2022
Irish slaves in America
Well written book about an Irish pre teen who was abducted from his family along with his siblings. Taken to America on a slave ship, he was separated from his family and sold. This story tells of the brutal treatment of the Irish called crackers. A good read but an abrupt ending leaving a lot of room for a second book.
Well written book about an Irish pre teen who was abducted from his family along with his siblings. Taken to America on a slave ship, he was separated from his family and sold. This story tells of the brutal treatment of the Irish called crackers. A good read but an abrupt ending leaving a lot of room for a second book.
February 10, 2023
Not ALL Slaves Were Black
Twelve year old Callum was taken out of his Irish countryside and sold for a slave to a plantation family. His antics as owned by others others were sometimes entertaining, often terrifying. Causing a family to break up, by his interference resulted in his being sold at auction.
Twelve year old Callum was taken out of his Irish countryside and sold for a slave to a plantation family. His antics as owned by others others were sometimes entertaining, often terrifying. Causing a family to break up, by his interference resulted in his being sold at auction.
August 9, 2022
JR shares a tale most would like to ignore. We think child trafficking is a new problem, but it has a long history, and Ireland was hit hard. Callum's story offers insight into the trials of early America and keeps you riveted with unexpected twists. Great Read!!!
August 11, 2022
I received a copy of this book in exchange for review. I have always been aware that white slavery existed, mostly involving people of Irish descent, but it's not a commonly known part of history. We need more books like this to help educate others about it.
September 5, 2022
A quick read about a young Irish child trafficked into indentured servitude (not to be compared with African American slavery in the US). It kept me invested enough to where I want to read what’s next in the series!
October 27, 2022
Fast, easy read but with no ending.
Seems like the beginning of a series. The story just stops. Bam! I'd like to know what happens to Callum.
Seems like the beginning of a series. The story just stops. Bam! I'd like to know what happens to Callum.
October 28, 2022
Excelleny
This left me breathless. I couldn't put it down. The only reason it isn't 5 stars is it was left open ended. I like closure.
This left me breathless. I couldn't put it down. The only reason it isn't 5 stars is it was left open ended. I like closure.
October 28, 2022
Loved
I couldn't put this book down, I have now read this and the following book written and cannot wait for the next one, so well written and moving.
I couldn't put this book down, I have now read this and the following book written and cannot wait for the next one, so well written and moving.
November 12, 2022
Something the history books don't talk about. Very eye opening
Read
December 24, 2022Felt really dark.
December 29, 2022
Callen a white slave
It was hard to read because we know that the Irish were slaves . But any slave book I'd hard to comprehend. Made me 😢
It was hard to read because we know that the Irish were slaves . But any slave book I'd hard to comprehend. Made me 😢
February 6, 2023
Almost dnf
This book was filled with modern language and thoughts despite the setting be hundreds of years earlier. Not very good and I almost didn’t finish.
This book was filled with modern language and thoughts despite the setting be hundreds of years earlier. Not very good and I almost didn’t finish.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews