The Fiddler's Gun

Fin's Revolution #1

by A.S. Peterson

America is on the brink of war with England, and Fin Button is about to come undone. She s had it with the dull life of the orphanage, and she is ready to marry Peter and escape the ever-watchful Sister Hilde. But an unexpected bond forms between Fin and the fiddle-playing cook, Bartimaeus, setting her on a course for the high seas of the American Revolution.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Adventure, Pirates, Christian

257 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2009

Reviews

[Kaytlin Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars
Honestly I loved the story! Like loved it! Peterson's style is good! His descriptions are beautiful! The thing that's knocking stars off is how many times the d word was used...I get this is a book with pirates in it but it seems a bit unnecessary to me. Of course any language in books is unnecessary to me...
Other than that I loved this read! Fin was such a great character! Since I own book two also I'm excited to finish her story in the near future! I'm also hoping for a redemption arc in there somewhere!
But overall I quite enjoyed this. Would have enjoyed it more without the language...overall a nice exciting and well described read! I enjoyed Peterson's style.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not finish the book. I got to page 68. Maybe it's redeeming later but I don't really care to stick with it. Sorry.

I'm just not into the character. And it's kind of hard to be when the girl is rebellious (and I really mean completely rebellious); even laughing over incidents in her past when she broke the rules/disobeyed. She also seethes whenever she has to act remotely feminine ... seethes. Really?

In another review, I mention in more detail how much I really don't like books that purposefully shred any bit of feminism into tiny pieces, mutilating them and labeling them as disgusting. With that said, I won't explain further here.

Aside from that, there was some language, with the main character balking at Christianity and God, and a few poorly and oddly composed sentences.

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[Lara Lleverino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gene Stratton Porter has been in my top ten fiction books for probably 30 years, Pete Peterson Fiddler’s Gun just knocked her out of the top ten. This is a beautiful story of good and evil. The writing, like his brother Andrew’s, paints pictures that are vivid and sing in your mind for days. I can’t wait to read the conclusion I’m Fiddler’s Green. I need to say however that this book comes with a trigger warning. The book involves pirates and not the Disney sort. There are some pretty vividly described battle scenes so if violence bothers you it may not be a book for you. The emotion in this book is pretty strong. It is setting up a beautiful redemption story (if my faith in the Peterson authors isn’t unfounded as I have started the sequel yet) but for beautiful redemption there needs to be deep depravity and this book show cases some of the depth to which mankind can fall. It also involves a deep thread of abandonment which may be hard for some readers. I think it will be beautifully resolved but this book definitely doesn’t shy away from vividly and realistically painting the pain and scars childhood abandonment can leave.

This is definitely a teen book. However it reminded me strongly of Jade by Sally Watson, True Confessions Of Charlotte Doyle by Avi, and The Witch Of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This has left me reeling! Meet Fin Button. She is seventeen years of age and has spent all but the first seven days of her life in an orphanage. Despite the nuns' desire to make her into a young lady, Fin has other ideas. Rather than sit with a needle and thread, she is out punching the daylights out of her fellow unruly male orphans, wearing pants, cursing, and she would much rather use a hammer and saw than be stuck in a kitchen all day. Unfortunately for Fin tho, the nuns do put her in a kitchen all day, but it is in this kitchen that she makes good friends with Bartimaeus, a former pirate "saved" from a life of crime.

While Fin wreaks havoc in the orphanage, America is on the verge of the revolutionary war with England. It is no surprise that such an independent, headstrong gal like Fin sides with those for independence and there is no love lost between her and the Red Coats. Unfortunately, an ill planned run away attempt goes sour causing Fin much distress with the above mentioned Red Coats, especially when they go after her dear Bartimaeus. She ends up running away again, this time leaving six dead Red Coats in her wake. She can never go back and this means leaving behind her boyfriend, Peter just days before they are due to wed.

With only a fiddle and a gun named Betsy, Fin turns to the sea. From here on out it is barroom brawls, piracy, mutiny, sword fighting, storms, capture, escape, canons shooting, and even a treasure map discovery. Assuming Fin survives the high seas, will she make it back to the orphanage and Peter? Will Peter even be waiting for her after two long years? Will she bring trouble back with her? After all, where Fin goes, trouble is soon to follow... And what of this treasure?

There are great secondary stories too. Bart is an old man who thought he had escaped his past, but discovers the past catches up. Fin deals with a lot of inner turmoil regarding her desire to be accepted by others and she questions her faith at difficult times.

I found it just a bit preposterous at first that a seventeen year old girl is allowed to run around free and in pants to boot in the 1700s, but had the author stuck to historical accuracy in this case, the fun would have diminished considerably. This is a young adult book and just extremely FUN. However, I feel adults will enjoy it just as much if not more. Fin is a very likable, spunky, fiesty, and very strong heroine. No damsels in distress here!

This was a goodreads win for me and I am very greatful to have had the pleasure of reading it. I look forward to the second one coming out late this year. (Or sooner I hope!)

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing that this classics-lover continues to most appreciate about Rabbit Room authors is how echoes of the great classics sound in new and vibrant stories from contemporary authors. As a reader, I am so pleased to have new and worthy stories to love. As a Christian living in the modern world, I am grateful to have fresh, edifying adventure tales to delight in. As a lover of the written word, I am grateful to be able to support living authors. As a student of the classics, I am particularly thrilled to read new stories that feel familiar.

This month I read A. S. (Pete) Peterson’s The Fiddler’s Gun and it was some of the most fun I have had reading in a long time. This new adventure story reminds me of Dickens, Hugo, and Dumas while sounding familiar in its American vernacular and values. The Fiddler’s Gun is an exhilarating story that takes the reader on a sweeping hero adventure at sea. What makes the adventure so fantastic, however, is that we are rooting for a Dickensian orphan girl who has just killed British soldiers and is running away to sea leaving behind the only thing she loves. This American epic is propelled forward by a complex moral struggle with textured ideas rendering a story with a very worthy soul.

“He drew the bow across the strings and the instrument moaned a forlorn note. ‘Beautiful, that’s what you got to do with that hurtin’, you got to turn it beautiful.’ He closed his eyes and began to play.” – The Fiddler’s Gun

We live in a broken and hurting world. Christians understand that this is fundamentally true but that it is also specifically true. Since sin entered the world in Eden, all of Eve’s children were condemned to bear the scar of original sin. The consequence of this scar is that on this side of eternity, it is never really healed. And where the wound exists, hurt moves in like an infection. That hurt has been working itself out onto us, through us, and into our culture for all of human history. Like when Pandora opened her box, sin has been loosed on the world and will continue to wreak havoc on souls until the final battle. As Christians we know that this is true. But, we also know that this is specifically true in our own personal lives. We know that we are broken. We know that we are sinful. We know that we hurt and that we inflict hurt on others. And this is why we need a Savior. And this is why Bartimaeus keeps a revolver in his fiddle case as a reminder of that hurt. Bloody Bart helps us to understand that while the hurt is real it can be transformed into something beautiful if we let the Savior heal us.

“The trouble with Phineas Michael Button began the moment she was born.” – The Fiddler’s Gun

Fin is the unlucky and unwanted thirteenth daughter of the Button family. Left to grow up in a Georgia orphanage, Fin’s entire existence is marked by rebellion because she is not interested in conforming to a world that never wanted her. At seventeen years old, Fin is at war with anyone and everyone, and most especially with herself. Fortunately for her, colonial Georgia is on the brink of rebellion from England and that reality pushes Fin into a gruesome but worthy vent for her pent-up and mutinous steam.

Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the songs of angry men?
It is the music of the people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
–Les Miserables, The Musical

Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables (and the beautiful musical) is a classic not only because of the exquisite beauty of his writing, but also because of the timelessness of his characters’ struggles. Good students of history know that none of these wars that we fight are new. None of theses battles will really end the hurt or fill the God-shaped holes in our hearts. All of this rebellion is just a manifestation of the perennial spiritual battle that echoes through the ages. Like the poor and starving of Hugo’s Les Miserables, Fin Button is hungry for a world that makes sense and a freedom that she can never find. And like Hugo’s epic characters, Fin is trapped in a situation that is beyond her control. Also like those noble characters in Paris, Fin is willing to defy convention, take power into her own hands, and embrace the ugliness of war to chase after that elusive but essential freedom.

While Les Miserables is a 1,400 page tome written in several parts, featuring several miniature story arcs, and showcasing the human spirit in all of its most naked forms, The Fiddler’s Gun is a much shorter and more linear work. Obviously the two stories are entirely separate from each other. Written hundreds of years apart, on opposite sides of the Atlantic, about different national concerns and with different prejudices. That said, both center on the dynamic of the human spirit at war with itself and with the world around it. Both trade in sin and redemption. Both reveal the constant struggle between light and dark. Both explore the art of drawing beauty out of pain.

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
–Les Miserables, The Musical

Not unlike Les Miserables, The Fiddler’s Gun tells the story of ordinary characters who are thrust into epic struggles. In both stories, we follow the internal spiritual and moral struggle of our favorite character. In each, the world is on fire with war, and we get a sense of how small but significant each character is in the larger story. In Bartimaeus, we see an older Valjean. A redeemed and noble character who has fallen from grace but has been restored. In Fin, we see a younger Valjean and also a painful reminder of Fantine. Like those great characters, Fin is the victim of circumstances but too alive to go down without a passionate rebellion. In Hilde and Carmeline, we have versions of the good bishop, albeit a cold American Puritan recasting of God’s abiding provision and mercy. I could go on but instead I will admit that I don’t believe that Peterson wrote his characters to resemble Hugo’s. Instead, I think that both authors drew characters who are immensely authentic and truly human. In their subcreation, Peterson joined Hugo in deftly borrowing from life such that their characters would always look like real people with familiar struggles.

Will you give all you can give
So that our banner may advance
Some will fall and some will live
Will you stand up and take your chance?
–Les Miserables, The Musical

When I discovered The Rabbit Room a little over a year ago, I looked at the A. S. Peterson books with curiosity. I asked about them in our big book club and was warned that they are “dark,” “grisly,” “raw,” and “violent.” Sadly, these comments, taken out of the context of the whole story, turned me off and prompted me to ignore the books for a year. God, however, is gracious and gave me an opportunity to reconsider my options. During that year I had a number of conversations with Pete Peterson, and others who know and love Pete, and was sufficiently curious about why he would write books that some considered so dark and ugly. Because I was coming to understand The Rabbit Room better, I had a growing sense that my book club friends and I must be having some kind of failure to communicate with each other. There was no way that The Rabbit Room would publish books that delight in darkness.

My reading buddies and I ordered The Fiddler’s Gun and scheduled a June reading. Within paragraphs, I was hooked. My initial impression was that Fin Button is Anne Shirley with a Charles Dickens make-over. I understand now that she is much more than that, but I still hold that in those early chapters that is exactly what Fin is. And… that makes me love her. I understood that that red-headed orphan wasn’t living at Green Gables and wasn’t going to have the chance at an optimistic outcome. Rather, Fin’s existence would be Anne unsaved. An Anne who would more closely resemble Fantine. An Anne who would rage against the darkness and challenge God to prove Himself to her.

Peterson resembles Hugo in more than just character development. His writing is also exquisitely beautiful. Like a great sea ballad, Peterson’s words sing poetry in a frolicking tone. Deeply masculine, the writing is strong, assertive, clear, and refreshingly honest. Clearly informed by a love of classics and music, the characters speak in their own unique voices. Unapologetically American, the story centers on a love of freedom and adventure. And, because Peterson is a Christian, his characters wrestle with God like Jacob at Peniel.

“She left home to keep those things from this place, from these people, from Peter. Now she was bringing it all back. Worse, she wouldn’t be able to hide it, to lie about it, to cover it up… she meant to bring death where innocence slept. She felt her blood rising; she meant to fight.” – The Fiddler’s Gun

An absolutely worthy story, I must urge caution. My book club friends were not wrong. This story is dark, grisly, raw, and violent. But, then again, so are David Copperfield, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Les Miserables. Fin becomes a pirate after she kills a handful of British soldiers. Pirate life is violent and often depraved. We are not spared those details. Peterson handles them tactfully, but as I said above, his writing is honest. This is not a story for young readers; but it is a worthy story for mature readers. I would recommend this book to mature teens and adults. To help parents navigate how mature their teens need to be, I will share one quote below.

My reading buddies and I agree that the passage that follows, which occurs early in the story, is the most vile of all. I suspect that Peterson did this so that we could really understand what Fin was getting into and brace ourselves for the grim realities of what could come in the rest of the story. In point of fact, this is not a harbinger of what is to come. It is the lowest point of the story. And, worth noting, Peterson puts this passage in a much larger context of grace.

“‘Piracy and pillage! Is that what you want to hear? Murder, rape, rum and ruin? That’s who Bart is! That’s who I was!’ The creases his face spread to an unclenched visage of anger. ‘I killed men, women, and children. English, Colonist, French, Spaniard, Moor, Turk – you name it, I killed it, missy. This what you wanted?’ Fin shrank away. ‘Don’t be scared now!’ You ain’t heard the worst of ol’ Bloody Bart. Laid down with a whore, he did, then cut her throat cause he didn’t want to pay! Give up his own friend for gold and a gallon of rum!’” – The Fiddler’s Gun

The rape scene in The Count of Monte Cristo still haunts me decades after first reading it. The early abuses heaped on David in David Copperfield make it hard for me to want to revisit a favorite book. Fantine’s demise is one of the most tragic in classic literature and so painful I am always tempted to skip over her portion of Les Miserables. The Fiddler’s Gun is equally honest and, in places, quite painful. That said, Count, Copperfield and Les Miserables remain precious to me. The ugliness in those books is justified, necessary, and honest. Fiddler is, in many ways, less gruesome and more hopeful. And like those classics, it has important things to say about the human spirit.

“She couldn’t stand by and let the world decide her fate. To make her own way she needed action, and action in war meant death, violence, murder if need be… One day, like Bartimaeus, she’d put it down, but not yet.” – The Fiddler’s Gun

[Joseph Brink · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one years ago and while overall enjoying it, my takeaway was that I was very turned off by all the language and lude references and drunkenness and gore and etc. And to make matters worse, it was a Christian book, which I don't think should have had any such things.

I may reread it someday... idk. It could have been I was too young when I read it.

[Sisters Three · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Lili P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible. It’s so well-written and hooking. I couldn’t put it down!

[A.S. Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early praise for The Fiddler's Gun:

“Peterson has lovingly crafted a work of historical fiction which begs the question, “Can this really be a debut novel?” With dogged fidelity, he captures the spirit, manners, and social conditions present during the American Revolutionary War. We meet colorful, credible characters who navigate the high seas of life and love, dependence and independence, war and peace, truth and consequence and despite forays into ostensibly dark places, The Fiddler’s Gun carries a steady pulse that is beautiful, lyrical, and redemptive.”—Curt McLey, The Phantom Tollbooth

“Peterson is a natural-born storyteller, and The Fiddler’s Gun is a sly, funny, soulful, instant classic.” —Allan Heinberg, Executive Producer, Grey’s Anatomy

“Redcoats, pirates, orphans—and Fin Button, a passionate and savvy young woman who is a treasure all by herself. Here is high adventure that feels like truth. Three huzzahs for A.S. Peterson: The Fiddler’s Gun is an achievement.”—Jonathan Rogers, author of The Wilderking Trilogy

“A.S. Peterson’s The Fiddler’s Gun is an exciting, rollicking adventure - it will touch the depths of your heart as its characters wrestle with human frailty, failure, love, and the quest for redemption. You will love this book, and you’ll read it over and over.”—Travis Prinzi, author of Harry Potter & Imagination

“Like a vivacious child, it grabs your attention and runs away laughing, urging you to give chase. Don’t start this book when you have something important – like sleeping – to do; I guarantee, it won’t get done.”—Paula K. Parker, BuddyHollywood.com

[Haley Annabelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm surprised at all the good reviews of this book. To me, it's an utterly stupid book. Maybe I'm being too harsh but after reading so many classics with good content, this doesn't even compare. I want to like it because it's historical fiction (my favorite). But as a few other reviews have mentioned, the main character is unbearable. She doesn't have a single spark of femininity.

Cleanliness: mild language, murders, and more. Don't read this.

(I read this book many years ago and didn't remember a lot of the bad stuff. I tried to reread it and got 100 pages in before I was done with it.)

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a Sentence: While a little slow to start, The Fiddler's Gun is an exciting historical adventure with a great main character.


My Thoughts

One of the things I thought of while reading The Fiddler's Gun is that it reminded me of Avi's The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, which I really enjoyed as a kid. However, I think that The Fiddler's Gun will hold more appeal for older readers as well as younger ones.

The main character, Phinea "Fin" Button is a sassy, tomboyish orphan who yearns for something more than her life at the orphanage. Fin is a great main character, and she is well-supported by a wide variety of minor characters who help to move the story along and together, make for an interesting plot.

The Fiddler's Gun is one of those YA books that I think will appeal to both boys AND girls. Though the main character is female, there are many male characters present in the story as well. This book is also more of an action/adventure story than a romance, though there IS a little bit of the latter for those of you who are interested.

The only negative thing I have to say about The Fiddler's Gun is that it took me a little while (probably about the first 80 pages or so) to get into it. The slowish beginning was worth it in the long run, because it resulted in the development of the background and the characters. So while it might not draw you in immediately, you might want to give it a chance for putting it down.

I've also read that there's a sequel in the works called The Fiddler's Green. I'll be keeping my eye out for it because I'd like to see where Fin's story goes from here!

[Lori Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a GREAT ride... boy, this book pack so much adventure into only 200+ pages!!! The whole time I was reading couldn't help comparing it to a book version of Pirates of the Caribbean... only pirates of the Carolinas!!! Would really appeal to kids 12-14... but great for all ages!!! Highly recommend!!!

[Amelie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If I was ever to be a man I'd have to stand up like I just done, only to keep standin'.

Want a story that puts a different spin on the Revolutionary War era but still feels like a rollicking nautical adventure story? The Fiddler's Gun delivers all of that.

It's definitely a different kind of historical fiction from what I usually see since it's set first in Georgia and then at sea with privateers. I appreciated that. In fiction, I've rarely read about the Revolutionary War's impact on the South, so that was a fascinating element of the historical aspects. There's also a thread of theology that's compelling and beautiful. I grinned at getting to see historical preachers like the Reverend George Whitefield and John Wesley, and after Reverend Whitfield comes, Fin asks Peter whether God really wants her if he chose her before she was born, since her parents didn't want her. It's poignant and lovely and a theme that informs the rest of Fin's choices in the book.

Fin is the definition of prickly, stubborn, and fiery, but she also displays some sweet qualities, like adopting younger orphans as her flock to protect and defend. (These qualities of her reveal themselves again throughout the book.) And though I did feel like her extremely tomboyish inclinations were a little far-fetched, she still pulled me into her story enough to make me ready to follow her and root for her growth. It's interesting, too, because yes, Fin balks loudly at being feminine, but yet she becomes this tough pirate queen who longs to return to her steadfast, patient fiancé, to home and peace. In this, she displays growth from the very beginning, from wanting to be wholly tomboyish just because she can to wanting life and love with Peter in her own uniquely feminine way. It’s a poignant and believable shift, filling her with more dimension than cardboard “strong females” can achieve. And the fiddle-playing to turn hurt into something beautiful...how I loved that.

The other characters driving the cast are so colorful: Brother Bartimaeus, Jack Wagon, Tan, Topper, Knut...all of them play a decisive role in Fin’s story, and all of them are intriguing. The pacing moves at a decent clip throughout, and while many parts of the plot are a little predictable, it's no less breathtaking in its action. (Mainly regarding the fight scenes.)

Still, I would add several cautions to my review of this book before recommending it, because, while it didn’t fully ruin my enjoyment of the story, there was enough content to make me squirm. For instance, the way Fin's mother "tries to convince" her to "become" a boy at the beginning of the story…just...didn’t hit right with me in this day and age, the same way that Fin is mistaken for a boy didn’t hit right. (I also had a hard time believing and/or understanding how Fin could hide her femininity so effectively for so long while being tied to a ship.)

And, though I suppose they’re “authentic” to the nautical setting, there is…an abundance of visceral, lewd, and profane language and references that are certainly not my favorite.

This is a good, old-fashioned historical pirate adventure story. It's well-written. It’s a flaming good time. And though I was unsure about it at first, I ended up enjoying it immensely. I look forward to reading the sequel. But there are...plenty of references that are…quite punchy in an unappreciated way. Overall, I’d award this four stars out of five for how the book achieves what it aims to be, though I’d certainly recommend it with caution.

🎻 heads-up for content: drunkenness. Many mentions of sordid pasts and current sordid activities (murder, piracy, fornication, prostitution). Pirates threaten and kill in front of young children. Fin is objectified, tortured, and captured, and both a British soldier and borderline-insane sailors make it clear that they want to take advantage of her. A lewd comment about men "having fun" with both a man and a woman. Fin's shirt gets ripped off during a beating. Very intense violence with some blood. Very frequent language (fitting for a sailor's mouth, but still discomfiting). 🎻

[J.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is going to almost completely devoid of any plot points. I enjoyed the story and loved the characters so much that I wouldn't want to spoil anything for you. But I will start by saying this is not a kid's book. It is violent and there is a bit of mild language, but neither is gratuitous.

It's hard to believe this is the first book by A.S. "Pete" Peterson. It can sometimes take me months to get through a book if I don't find it interesting. It has to grab me in the first few pages, or at least the first chapter, to keep my attention. If it feels like work to turn each page and is a strain on my brain to keep going it might not get finished. Not so with The Fiddler's Gun. I became almost instantly attached to Fin Button. When she starts to trust and love people close to her I started to trust and love them too. Likewise when she starts to hate certain people I hated them too. The characters are portrayed with such realism that I started to think of them as real people that I either adored and wanted to hang out with or loathed so much that I wanted to punch them in the face. I haven't cared about characters in a book this much in a long time.

There is a lot of swashbuckling action that reminded me of some of the great moments from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies (so much so that I plan on watching them again soon). But there is also much heartache and grief. Fin Button is a flawed young lady and she has endured more suffering than most will in their entire lives. That endeared me to her from the start. And because of that attachment to her, certain events were so tragic that I had tears in my eyes. I felt the same sting of pain that Fin felt. But despite the tragedies endured by our characters there is much hope and laughter. I can't count how many times these characters made me smile, and I could picture their faces as they laughed with one another. I felt like I was there laughing and smiling along with them.

I could say a lot more but I don't want to spoil it. The story and characters are incredibly well written. It's apparent that a lot of thought and care went into this book. Having participated in Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) the last few years and finishing a 50,000 word novel in 2006 and 2009, I have a fresh appreciation for the time and energy it takes to create characters that readers will care about. Pete did an amazing job creating characters that I adore. Fin. Tan. Knut. Jack. Peter. These are names I won't soon forget. I can hardly bare having to wait for the story to finish up in The Fiddler's Green.

If you are a fan of any kind of fiction you absolutely must read this book. It's a great mix of heart wrenching drama, swashbuckling action, young love and romance (yes, there is a love story) war and historical fiction. I'm glad Pete (at the prompting of his younger brother Andrew) put this story to print for us all to enjoy. I'll be getting this as gifts for all my reading buddies and I plan on spreading the word to any outlet I can about this book.

[Sheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Squeal* this was one utterly captivating read. I laughed, I cried, I sighed, and I was completely immersed in Fin's world from page one. Tragedy, love, hope, redemption; from orphanage antics to adventure on the high seas; The Fiddler's Gun has it all.

Peterson does a wonderful job recreating the tone and feel of a southern colony in British America in the 1700's. Colonists are chafing for independence from British rule, revolution is at hand and turbulence follows on the backs of the redcoats.

It's impossible not to love Fin, she's strong, passionate, uruly, irrepressible, feisty, stubborn and compassionate. She shuns all things "girly" and only Peter (Fin's best friend and blossoming romantic interest) and the orphanage's cook, Bartimaeus Gann accept Fin for who she is. Bartimaeus was a favourite character, his special relationship with Fin and wise counsel brought tears to my eyes but I also adored many of the motley crew on the Rattlesnake; Jack, Tan, Topper & Knut.

"I'm sorry, Bartimaeus."
"Don't you be sorry now. Don't you be sorry. Sometimes we got to look in the dark to see how bright's the dawn."

"Saw twenty mates flush their bloody innards out their bums before they died screaming and bleeding out every hole God gave 'em. It was Captain Creache they blamed. Bad luck hauling the devil's cargo. And hell was the next berth many of 'em seen." (conversation between Tan & Fin)

There's a darkness and violence that give this story a biting edge but Peterson's lyrical writing rounds it out perfectly. I'm not going to give any of the storyline away, this is one you have to experience yourself. An ageless read, definitely one I recommend for adults and teens alike.

The sequel, Fiddler's Green was released Dec 2010 and I seriously cannot wait to read the conclusion of Fin's story.

[Rebecca Tredway · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I think the book holds a lot of promise, I had great trouble buying Fin, the heroine, as a pirate. It's only in the movies, unrealistic ones at that, where a girl can hold her own among fighting, seafaring men. Sure, Fin was tough in the orphanage, but I never once believed that she could fight against the men on her own ship, much less the British navy. Besides that, I also didn't believe Peter would find much to love in her. All in all, it was fun-yet-chiched yarn of a book.

[Julia Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic swashbuckling tale set in the Revolutionary War era.

content warnings: Mild cursing, violence and bloodshed, mentions of debauchery and other piratety things.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy reading historical fiction, I highly recommend this book! The Fiddler’s Gun is set in Ebenezer, a suburb of Savannah, GA. Phinea Button is a young woman who has lived in an orphanage since she was an infant. Phinea, more affectionately known as Fin to the other orphans, was a tomboy and a troublemaker, often pulling pranks on the women who ran the orphanage. The younger orphans considered Fin to be their protector, getting into a number of fights with the older kids who were being bullies.

In an effort to civilize Fin into a proper lady, Fin was sent to work in the kitchen with Bartimaeus. It’s there that Fin begins to learn about the war that’s brewing and the oppression of the colonies from the British government. Initially, Fin hopes to avoid the coming war because all she wants is to marry her best friend Peter, who was also an orphan. When British soldiers begin to show a greater presence in the area, the situation goes sour.

Fin has a bad run-in with some soldiers, which leads to events that inadvertently throw her into the war. Having no choice, Fin must leave her home and Peter. In Savannah, Fin is mistaken for a boy and pressed into work on a merchant ship. While at sea, Fin encounters British marines, dangerous seas, pirates, and more! From sea battles to treasure hunts, there is no lack of excitement in Fin’s life once the British come to town!

I can’t recommend this book enough! I was instantly drawn to the book by the attractive cover! A number of people have asked me what I’m reading because the cover art caught their attention. The title is written in a very cool script that integrates the design of a fiddle down the middle. In the foreground, there is a ship’s wheel and branches covered in Spanish moss, and in the background you can see a ship on the ocean. You immediately gain a sense of adventure on the high seas just from looking at the cover!

The writing was fantastic and flowed well. Throughout the book, the author constantly introduces the reader to new characters. Even with so many characters, I never had trouble keeping track of who was who or who was speaking. You learn the history behind the primary characters, and grow attached to them as you learn about their lives. I found myself crying a couple of times! I love how each detail ends up tying back into the main plot. Characters and even personal items that initially seem insignificant come to light later in the book as the key to some incredibly important situation (Think “Tom Riddle’s Diary” in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and how you learn the true significance of it in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince).

The plot itself was very interesting, keeping my attention throughout the book. I couldn’t put it down! The plot is initially a bit slow as Fin is dealing with life at the orphanage, but within a few chapters, the story is off and running as Fin escapes to a life at sea. Once Fin joins the crew of the ‘Snake, there’s a never ending deluge of activity keeping Fin and the crew busy. The author manages to mentally paint every scene for the reader, describing everything from the appearance of the ship deck to the stench of the guy standing nearby. You become so immersed in the story that you feel like you’re standing on deck with the crew!

This was my first foray into historical fiction based around the Revolutionary War, and I couldn’t have had a better introduction! This book has so many great plot elements- a strong, independent heroine, adventure, patriotism, pirates, treasure, sword fights, romance… I could go one for ages! You really must try this book! It will make you laugh out loud, cry, and everything in between! If you buy it from The Rabbit Room (the link to the left), and you get the book club bundle, the books are all signed! Give it a read! I can’t wait for Book Two!

[raffaela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read and loved The Wingfeather Saga by the author's brother Andrew Peterson, which is how I found out about this series. I figured, I like historical fiction and I love his brother's work, so I would probably like this series as well. Besides, it had such high reviews.

Well, that was a mistake.

I'll say what I liked about it first: the setting, atmosphere, and writing were all well-done. From a technical perspective, this is a good book.

But.

The main character was, to me, unbearable. She was so unfeminine and rebellious that I had a hard time relating to or sympathizing with her; and on top of that, she was an idiot. I'm sorry, but she seemed to have no capacity to think through the consequences of her actions, either for her or for others. Her stupid decisions drove the plot and so I know it was "necessary" to keep the story going, but it was just so frustrating watching her constantly make bad choices that she probably wouldn't have made if she had just sucked it up and submitted to authority and to her feminine limitations (and anyway, some of her exploits seemed to stretch the bounds of plausibility). To be honest, the book would have been better if the protagonist had been male.

But what really gets me is that the author doesn't seem to place a clear moral judgment on her actions. We watch the events unfold, but it feels more like a "oh well, she was forced into a difficult situation and this is just what happened, there was nothing she could do" sort of a thing. Sure, she feels guilty about some of it afterward, but not enough to stop doing similar stuff. It just seems to be taken for granted; it's just who she is and there's no helping it, or at least not until she's learned some hard lessons. Maybe she eventually does learn in the next book, but that's a long and painful redemption-arc story and though there's a time and place for that, it's not an easy thing to read, and I didn't know that's what I was signing up for. Maybe I'll read the next book just to see what happens, but I wish I had known this before I picked this up. As it was, it just made me uncomfortable - like something was off about it morally, and the protagonist was the focal point of that.

[William Bentrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fiddler’s Gun by A. S. Peterson

I don’t often say, “outstanding work” upon reading a new author. The Fiddler’s Gun is historic fiction set in rural Georgia at the outset of the American Revolution. It is a tale of an orphan coming of age and coming to grip with personal characteristics that frighten her.

Fin Button is a very likeable character exhibiting very modern frustrations with pre-determined roles. She doesn’t see her self as falling into acceptable life roles for her time and place. The development of her character and her coming to grips with her life are done exceedingly well.

Bartimaeus’s secrets are startling and refreshing. The ability to change directions in life successfully is reaffirmed. Peter’s willingness to be Fin’s accomplice in her not very merry pranks, when his nature is clearly opposed to those pranks, illustrates a staunch commitment.

I liked the action, the transformations and the tone of the book. The author successfully portrays a time period where rebellion both by society and individuals was tumultuous and often fatal.

I really liked the book and I look forward to the sequel, The Fiddler’s Green.

I highly recommend the book.

[Emma Whear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe my third or fourth read.
Something made me think of it the other day, so I picked it up again.
Like finding a dear, old friend.

[Valerie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF ... bad language and taking God's name in vain right from the start was a big NOPE for me

[Misty Wilson read.fine.print · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t wait to hand this one over to my daughter because I know she will love it. If you or your teen loved Daughter of the Pirate King, then you will like this one, though Fiddler’s Gun is heavier on the action and lighter on the romance and both boys and girls will be drawn to the story.

When the story begins, Fin is a restless orphan. Her impulsive, rebellious nature leads her to make some bad decisions (really bad) that change the course of her life. This novel is set in Georgia during the Revolutionary War and things were different back then, but also so much is the same. Teenagers have to face suffering, shame, and the consequences of their mistakes, but there is forgiveness too.

As a follower of Jesus and a young adult writer myself (no I don’t have anything published yet, to answer your next question) I’m always looking for books that incorporate faith in a way that’s not cheesy. Spiritual themes run throughout The Fiddler’s Gun but not in a way that’s “in your face” or as if it’s written with some sort of agenda. I will pick up the sequel soon, The Fiddler’s Green. As far as adult content, there is mild cursing and violence.

[Sharon Loves to Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that when I finished this book the first time, I was a bit torn up. I went right into the second book as one simply must to get some closure on Fin's tragic life. After finishing the sequel, I couldn't quite land on how I wanted to rate it because of the conflict in my heart, so I waited a while and began again, not sure I was ready for the difficult journey a 2nd time, but really wanting to land on how I felt about it. This is my take on my 2nd time through the books. I have changed my rating from 4 to 5 stars.

This book is amazingly written... some paragraphs I went back and read twice just to experience again the beautiful prose this author puts together.

Yet the tragedy in this book is strong. It deals with abandonment, rejection, attempted rape, revenge, rage, and piracy in bold, harsh ways that leaves you feeling the despair of its characters. One character's redemption from a life of pirating-evil is a 2-sided coin... he is free and refuses to go back to that life, but filled with tortuous regret of his past life. The main character is a girl/young woman tortured by similar issues and constantly battles to be free. However, she either is pushed into poor choices or makes them on her own over and over again making it clear that her own ability to find freedom is not going to be enough. Her salvation will clearly not be at her own hand. We are left at the end of the book still hoping for her redemption. One plotline is closed, but her storyline still has a long way to go.

If you are ready for an emotionally tortuous ride, then I strongly recommend this book. However, I would caution parents of the disturbing content and recommend that they either reserve this book for older teens or pre-read it first to determine if it is a good choice for those younger.

For those concerned about Fin's femininity being exploited, I did not struggle with that issue in this book. I do not normally appreciate it when I see a lone woman physically taking on 4 men and coming out the victor as is so often portrayed in our culture today. However, despite her victories in fighting men and leanings toward rage which would normally be considered masculine, I found Fin to be quite believable. There are always going to be men and women who are on the other side of what we would call "normal" and that is where we find Fin, in my opinion.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fiddler's Gun comes very close to being a five star book for me. Here's why: the writing, the story and the characters. It tells the tale of a Georgia orphan during the Revolutionary War. Yet Fin Button (Fin being short for Phinea, the 13th girl born to parents who left her at the orphanage) is no typical character. She is bold, headstrong, lovely, endearing and infuriating - in short, she's a lot like each of my very own daughters. Perhaps even more importantly, she's real and I enjoyed reading her tale.

Peterson's writing manages to be fun, engaging and reminiscent of the historical setting - not an easy triumvirate. After reading just a few pages, I was compelled to read a few paragraphs aloud to my daughters. Sadly, after getting a bit further into the book, I decided this was one to share with other adult readers, not my 10 and 12 year old readers. It's not that there's anything strictly offensive in the book, but Fin goes through some harrowing ordeals and if I found some scenes difficult to endure, I'm sure they would bother my girls even more. But the book is well-written throughout, whether it's setting a scene that is grim or gleeful.

The other thing Peterson manages to do in this book is convey truth without hitting you over the head with it. Early on in the book, a character talks about turning his pain into beauty with a fiddle. A fiddle might not be your tool of choice, but I believe there's great truth in the idea that our pain exists for a reason - and pain is often the source of and inspiration for great beauty.

If you're in the mood for historical fiction that takes you to the world of Revolutionary War, piracy, sailors and a girl who has lost her way, The Fiddler's Gun will take you there. If you want a summer read that will entertain you and make you think, I think this book is a good choice. It's not too long to read over a long weekend, but it may leave you longing to read The Fiddler's Green - the next book in Fin's tale. Because if you're like me, you'll want to know where Fin goes from here and where she finally ends up.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

normally dismiss historical-fiction because I fear that it will be really, really boring and that I might accidentally learn something. So when I got The Fiddler’s Gun I was conflicted. On the one hand I hate history and on the other, I love pirates. I was conflicted until finally my love of pirates won and started to read the book.

It was pretty awesome.

There was the initial culture shock from reading about people who didn’t know what a large hadron collider was but then I realized historical-fiction isn’t that much different from science-fiction and was able to continue reading with no problems.

Anyway, The Fiddler’s Gun (which takes place somewhere around 1755) is about a Fin, a tomboyish girl who lives at an orphanage in America. She in constantly defying the nuns and getting in to trouble. That trouble causes her to be banished to kitchen duty where she befriends Bartimaeus, the book with a mysterious past. One thing leads to another and Fin kills some English soldiers and is forced to run away. She is mistaken for a man and joins the crew of the Rattlesnake. Luckily she feels right at home aboard a boat full of men. Then they become pirates and fight people who don’t like pirates.

Like I said, it’s pretty awesome.

I know my description above probably wont sell you on this book. But it is a very beautifully written book that is chock full of adventure, drama, and romance.

My one complant, and it’s a major one, is that after 300-ish pages of rooting for Fin to get the happy ending she deserves, I find out that this is a two book series. And the second book, Fiddler’s Green, isn’t out yet. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Anyway, I don’t think I can recommend this book enough. I went in to it with low expectations (again, historical-fiction) and, like a ship being hit with a cannonball, I was blown completely away. You should pick up a copy at The Rabbit Room or even get the Kindle version for less than the cost of a gallon of gas.

[Lydia Presley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I will be singing the praises of this book for a very long time.

This book had everything. Kick-butt heroine? Check. Fascinating time in history? Check. Humor? Check. Heart-break? Check. Action? Check. Pirates? Double-check.

When I began the book I was immediately taken in by the almost fairy-tale like start. It was all just so.. fascinating. Fin's origins, the complex characters that made up the people in her life. Hilde.. I couldn't decide whether to love or hate (and I think that's the point!). I fell in love with Bart. Who wouldn't love a fiddle-playing pirate turned cook? I fell for the pure sweetness of Peter and never once for a moment doubted the outcome of the end of the book with regards to the relationship there.

I read this book in an afternoon. Now, granted, I was traveling.. so I had a lot of reading time, but I found myself walking between gates at the airport, my Kindle in hand, completely absorbed in the saga.

Peterson does not pull any punches. This story will knock you over, pick you up and then knock you over again. I finished it and immediately turned back to the beginning, wanting to read it again (but decided, ultimately, I shouldn't if I planned to finish my reading list for the week). But I can guarantee you, I WILL be re-reading this book again in the near future.

It's very easy to see why The Fiddler's Gun is nominated for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. This book lived up to the story excerpt I read first and then some. Bring on The Fiddler's Green, Peterson! I want to read it now!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I picked up "The Fiddler's Gun" at my friend's house and couldn't put it down after skimming the first five pages. This book made me wish for subway delays and long waits in the dental office so that I could be whisked away into Fin's world. I do not particularly like books about wars or pirates, and yet I was completely captivated by this story. Peterson hooked me with the initial subtle dash of Anne of Green Gables in the opening chapters. But really, it only took those first 5 pages for me to love and root for Fin. Fin is much rougher around the edges than Anne, of course, but the pledges she and Peter made to one another were enough to set me at sail on the Rattlesnake. I often didn't like where Fin headed, but my frustration only pointed to my care for this character. Not only are the characters (favorites are Fin, sweet Peter, Bart and Knut) wonderfully drawn but the writing itself is stunning. I underlined favorite, poetic phrases along the way and caught myself swooning at the beauty of the words melded together. "Sometimes we got to look in the dark to see how bright's the dawn."

I don't know how I'm going to wait months for the next installment. I will have to take up basket-weaving to distract myself. Seriously, it's not often you have the opportunity to read a new author in his debut novel and anticipate his next works with such excitement. I will enjoy sharing this book with everyone I know until Part 2 arrives. I guess we'll be weaving some beautiful baskets in the next months.

[Redheadkate · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read the first two pages of The Fiddler’s Gun by A.S. Peterson, these lines stole the air right out of me.

"…time has a way of leading a person along a crooked path. Sometimes the path is hard to hold to and people fall off along the way. They curse the road for its steep grades and muddy ruts and settle themselves in hinterlands of thorn and sorrow, never knowing or dreaming that the road meant all along to lead them home. Some call that road a tragedy and lose themselves along it. Others, those that see it home, call it an adventure."

And quite an adventure follows. I don’t want to give anything else away, so suffice it to say that Fin's voyage takes her through some dark and dangerous times.

I had high hopes for this book, since I have followed the author for a while now. I can’t say that it lived up to my expectations because it wasn’t what I expected. This book is not a light, entertaining read that you toss aside once finished and never think of again. It is so much more. There is depth, emotion and characters that you will care about. There is excitement, battles and mutiny. Though full of all these things, it also explores the simple yet universal desire to find a home, a place where you are chosen just for who you are. And that is something that anyone should understand.

[A.M. Reynwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never been a big fan of the ocean and sailing, but I have loved every seafaring book I ever read, so I knew this was a book I wanted to try. For some reason I was anticipating it being a lighthearted, swashbuckling adventure like all the others.

Not quite so. It goes far deeper, capturing the reality of privateering and piracy in the eighteenth century, and what's interesting is that while the story is set during the American Revolution, it's not actually about the war. It's about a headstrong firecracker of a girl learning about life and loss the Hard Way, struggling with fear and faith in a very real sense. Not to say that there isn't some good fun in the mix as well. It's hard not to with this cast of characters! Every step of the journey is met with the good, the bad, and the ugly ─ and every combination thereof. Bartimaeus broke my heart, and Knut would have to be my favorite crewman of the entire motley collection aboard the Rattlesnake.

To top it off, the writing is gorgeous. Peterson has a way with words that made the story actually feel like it was written in the spirit and culture of the American colonies.