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Essay / Analysis of Historical Fiction “The Devil Takes Tomorrow” by Gretchen Jeannette
The Devil Takes Tomorrow by Gretchen Jeannette is a historical fiction set during the era of the American War of Independence. Anyone interested in history, espionage, and romance would enjoy this fast-paced novel. Personally, I love it when a book tells an action-packed story and is educational at the same time. This book did not disappoint me because it was full of historical facts and I couldn't put it down. Romance is part of the story, but never overshadows the rest of the themes. In fact, the budding relationship between the characters further highlights their motivations and beliefs. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"? Get an original essay Despair and love for one's own country bleed through pages that lead you down a twisting path of deception and freedom. Jeannette not only tells a beautiful story, but also one that shows how war shapes the lives of those caught up in it. The story begins with an anonymous letter sent to General George Washington, warning him of the presence of a British spy, named Parker, in his camp. Parker was tasked with assassinating the general. To obtain more information on the spy's identity, the Continental Army sends its own spy, Ethan Montgomery, to infiltrate the British ranks. Ethan integrates with the British and leads a double life. Staying at an estate owned by Robert Sinclair, merchant and crown loyalist, Ethan meets Maddie Graves. Maddie sides with the Americans and does not hide her animosity towards the king. With her father in prison for treason, Maddie and her aunt must rely on Robert's generosity to house them. Ethan and Maddie share a mutual attraction even though Maddie perceives him as the enemy. Yet time passes. Soon the order will come for Parker to complete his mission. Can Ethan uncover Parker's mystery or get caught as a spy himself? There are many aspects of this book that I loved. Besides the story, Parker's espionage and mystery made the novel fun to read. You know George Washington isn't executed, so Parker gets found out one way or another. Even though the outcome is known, how it is achieved and what sacrifices are required to achieve it make the story suspenseful. The best part for me, by far, was describing how leading a double life affects someone. Ethan discovers that not all Brits are bad and even makes friends with some. Knowing that his deception could harm his new comrades brings him inner turmoil. The author illustrates that there is a price to pay for being a spy, not only physically but also mentally. The personalities of the main characters conflicted me. I couldn't decide if I loved them or hated them. Ethan exuded confidence and his dry sense of humor made the story even more fun to read. At times however, he seemed harsh and vindictive, even calling Maddie a "naughty" on several occasions. I appreciated Maddie's passion for the American cause and her courage to stand up to anyone to defend it. However, she continued to make irrational decisions and got into trouble because of them. I don't think I've done so much facepalming over a character's stupid mistakes until now. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay At the end of the assignment, you get the reason why Ethan behaves the way he does. Although some of his actions are not.