Review copy was received from Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Rebel by TJ London Narrator: Tara Langella, Patrick Zeller, Marnye Young, Adam Gold, Charlie Albers, John Hartley, Nicholas Boulton, Sean Crisden, Aaron Shedlock, Dryw McArthur, Shiloh James, Curtis Michael Holland, Chris Tester
Series: The Rebels and Redcoats Saga #4
Published by Self-Published on January 30, 2025
Genres: Historical Romance
Length: ~ 24 hours
Format: Audiobook
Source: Author
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Like father, like son . . .
April 1777
Alexei McKesson is a man caught between two worlds: the son of the disgraced former Duke of McKesson, and an adopted warrior of the Standing Stone. For the past two years, Alexei has been pirating ships on the St. Lawrence, and he’s never been caught until . . .
While spying on a meeting between the British and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, three of Alexei’s men were captured and imprisoned in Fort Niagara to be used in negotiations with the Crown.When he learns about a ship bound for the colonies carrying a wealthy heiress and a cache of weapons, he hatches a plan to steal the cargo and force the British into trading for his men. But Alexei’s about to get more than he bargained for.
Beautiful, rebellious Lady Wilhelmina Townsend is searching for her missing brother, and she would do anything to find him—even relinquish her freedom to be with a husband she does not desire. When her ship bound for the colonies is set upon by thieves, Will finds advantage in adversity and joins forces with Alexei.
Now they race against time to arrange the trade and find Will’s missing brother as enemies are plotting against them, those with a vested interest in sending her back to her husband and forcing the Confederacy into siding with the Crown. Passion ignites when these two rebellious souls collide on the American frontier, but ghosts of the past threaten to undermine their love, truths yet to be revealed, so dark and dangerous they could tear Will and Alexei apart.
I don’t read much historical fiction other than fantasy. Often times with historical fiction, I then want to know what really happened. The Revolutionary War is one of my favorite time periods to read and most of the characters are not real people other than the leaders of the armies. However, I do wonder about who the groups of native Americans supported and what happened to them. Obviously, the Americans won and did not treat natives well.
The Rebel is an odd book in the Rebels & Redcoats Saga. Man of War is a prequel of sorts about the elder McKessons and especially Dane, who is an Admiral in the Navy. The next three books in the series are from the point of view primarily of John Carlisle or Dellis McKesson. I went to figure out timelines for these books to give me some perspective on them.
- Man of War July 1755
- The Tory Winter 1776
- The Traitor Winter 1777
- The Rebel April 1777
- The Turncoat Summer 1777
As I read, it felt like I knew about many of the events and people. I did but from another perspective. The difference here is the perspective of Alexei McKesson (Cloudwalker) and Lady Wilhelmina Townsend. Alexei is not who I thought he was from the other perspectives. Will IS who I thought she was.
Alexei is a strong and skilled warrior. I thought he had a personal code of integrity and a strong bond and caring with the tribe. He felt like a drama queen. He’s also angry and immature, often not thinking about the consequences of his actions for others. His parents are a piece of work.
Will is a feisty and smart woman used to being at court, a lady familiar with social graces. She has been poorly treated by her brothers and her husbands. The brothers keep marrying her off so they don’t have to deal with her. It’s not that she is any particular trouble, just they don’t want to be “parents” at their age. She has done a great job with learning new skills and protecting herself while being kidnapped and dragged all over. I was terrified for her because she has so few options and no one really caring about her.
Alexei kidnaps Will, drags her around, doesn’t always feed her, leaves her with other people and takes off on his own missions. He is very attracted to her but he is protecting her from himself, because he is cursed. Yeah, right. His thoughts show he thinks of himself but not so much about others. The plot kind of meanders with his emotional lack of development.
I was surprised when this story ended because it is not the end of their story which I saw somewhat in The Turncoat. At this point, I don’t like Alexei very much. I hope Will doesn’t suffer too much damage during these adventures.
Narration:
Audiobook Cast: Adam Gold, Charlie Albers, Tara Langella, Patrick Zeller, Marnye Young, John Hartley, Nicholas Boulton, Sean Crisden, Aaron Shedlock, Dryw McArthur, Shiloh James, Curtis Michael Holland and introducing Chris Tester.
The cast of narrators are excellent and some are the same as in the other books. I appreciated that and recognized those characters easily. There is a different narrator for John Carlisle but his part in this book is limited. The performance is very well done and I really enjoyed it. The voices seem fitting for the different regions and accents. I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
About TJ London
T.J. London is a rebel, liberal, lover, fighter, diehard punk, medical professional, and author who loves history. As a storyteller, her goal is to fill in the gaps about missing history, those little places that are so interesting yet sadly forgotten. Her favorite time period to write is, of course, the American Revolutionary War (is there any other time period?). She also enjoys researching the French Revolution, the French and Indian War, the Russian Revolution, and the Victorian Era. Her passions are traveling, writing, reading, cycling, and sharing a martini (no more wine, I’m a migraineur) with her friends while she collects experiences in this drama called life. She’s a native of Metropolitan Detroit (but secretly dreams of being a Londoner) and resides there with her husband, Fred, and her COVID-19 rescue kitten, Hamilton.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
Excellent review, Anne💜 Love when multiple narrators are used this way.
Thank you. I think you would enjoy this series.
This sounds like an interesting series. I know very little about this slice of history and you’ve piqued my interest – thank you, Anne for a lovely review:)).
Thank you Sarah. These are long like 25 hour audiobooks but they are amazing with a full cast.
Lovely review Anne. I quite enjoy this series.
yes I had to organize the timeline for this one because while the others were mostly linear this one is not later than all the others.
I was wondering if I’d get confused with this being a parallel story in the series, but sounds like you had it figured out pretty well.
I had to do my little chart to figure out the timeline and then I was fine. But I’m sure there’s a book following this one for Alexei and Will because this is in the middle of their story. So maybe each main character gets a trilogy? Many things in this one I already knew from the John Carlisle books.
Thank you for listening and for ur review.
❤️🙏
It’s my pleasure! I love these stories.
Alexei sounds like a jerk. Not sure I’d want to read a 24 hr story with him as the main male character and not even have his story finished here.
I see your point. The John Carlisle books are a trilogy and each is about that same length. But I liked him better for whatever reason. Maybe because Steve West was narrating him. I admit this one was more difficult because I didn’t like Alexei so much and it covered a timeframe already covered.
This sounds like a fun series overall and I love historical fiction. I always end up googling the people and places in the story to see what’s based on fact/fiction. Nice review.
Thanks Nadia. These books are really amazing. The audio versions are full cast and wonderful. The ebooks are in KU I think.
I don’t read a ton of historical fiction either. Although the current Outlander season is taking place during the American Revolution, so it makes me go do some research into things I don’t remember from school. Great review!
Thank you!
I’ve read the first 2 (or 3?). They were good. I should continue on with the series.
They are excellent. The length means I needed to plan when I would listen though.
I really like it when then have a full audio cast for books like this. I think it adds so much to the experience.
yes full cast is wonderful. That’s one of the reasons I started this series along with the first series having Steve West as a main character.