Book Review - Rise of the Pale Moon by Patricia Brandon

Rise of the Pale Moon 
By Patricia Brandon

Publication Date: 15th October 2024

Publisher: Palmetto Publishing;

Page Length: 262 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Unlikely Allies: Three Diverse Women Navigate Tumultuous Times, Risking All Amidst Revolutionary Woes. A Tale of Hope, Love, and Triumph Over Adversity.

In the heart of coastal South Carolina, during the Revolutionary War era, a profound narrative unfolds in Rise of the Pale Moon. This captivating tale is set on a plantation, where three young women of strikingly different backgrounds are held captive - a humble indentured servant from London, a resilient chattel slave, and a resourceful Catawba Indian. Their lives are intertwined, bound by the chains of their circumstances, and deeply impacted by the Master and his family.

These women, each bearing a unique perspective, must learn to navigate their relationships with each other and their captors. As they grapple with their brutal reality, their courage is put to the ultimate test. Will they risk a daring escape, knowing full well that it could result in their demise? Or will they remain, hoping to influence their fate and possibly alter the course of the war in the American South?

Rise of the Pale Moon explores the intricacies of loyalty, sacrifice, and love amidst harsh adversity. The characters' relentless pursuit of hope is a testament to their determination and resilience, offering an inspiring portrayal of human spirit. As the birth of a new nation unfolds around them, their journey reveals the transformative power of unity and friendship.

This riveting narrative is more than just a historical fiction; it is a timeless exploration of the human condition, capturing the essence of shared struggles, shared dreams, and the shared determination to survive. The characters' journey serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of hope, even in the darkest of times.

Rise of the Pale Moon is a captivating read, that will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving you with a renewed perspective on life, love, and the power of resilience. The story serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the courage to fight for freedom. A must-read for anyone who appreciates a compelling historical narrative laced with poignant life lessons.

They were more concerned about the repairs to the chimney than her five-year-old brother who was lying dead on the Carrington’s floor. He had died in the darkness of a chimney and he would never see sunlight again. Genevieve “Vieve” Whittier was too young to understand the connection between her beloved Simon, Lord Carrington, and her mother. But she did know that life would never be the same again.

With a strong determination to begin anew, Claire Whittier arranges a one-way ticket for herself and her daughter to Charlestown in The Province of South Carolina. But only Vieve would survive the journey.

Left alone and with nowhere else to turn, she becomes an indentured slave under the control of a wealthy plantation owner. Although this was not the life her mother had envisaged, Vieve is determined to make the very best of it and, as her mother made her promise, she would never give up, even in the darkest of times.

With its historical backdrop and compelling emotional storyline, Rise of the Pale Moon by Patricia Brandon will captivate the reader. It’s a story that encompasses all human emotions and leaves an unforgettable mark on the reader’s heart.

In her writing, Brandon skilfully combines an epic storyline with a keen attention to historical detail, resulting in a truly impressive novel. With great precision, Brandon has woven a narrative that encompasses a range of historical events, carefully addressing all the controversies and intricacies of the era. A deep understanding of this historical period has allowed for the examination of how those ensnared in slavery, including indentured servitude and enslaved natives, were treated. There are moments in this story where the tension reaches unbearable levels as our brave protagonists fight to remain alive and stay united in a world that seeks to separate them. Brandon’s storytelling skilfully revives a tragic yet mesmerizing era that you can’t help but be drawn to. Brandon weaves together themes of slavery, friendship, love, tragedy, and hope. This is a story that once started, is impossible to turn away from.

The novel delves into how friendship can surpass social class distinctions. Mistress Lucy has never had the privilege of knowing what true friendship feels like. Living on her family’s plantation severely restricts her ability to develop meaningful connections with children her age. When her father brings home Vieve, life as Lucy knows it is about to change forever. Despite being an indentured servant, Vieve and Lucy quickly become close friends. Maybelle and Ashwiyaa soon become part of this close-knit circle. All four friends bring their own individual qualities to the table, creating a lasting connection with each other. They grow together and they learn together. They also face impossible and dangerous situations together. Through the author’s depiction of this peculiar quartet, a powerful message is conveyed about the significance of one’s character over their physical attributes and social standing.

The narrative consistently explores the influence of individuals in terms of both status and wealth. The Carrington’s are prestigious members of the English aristocracy, while the Montagues have built their fortune on the backs of slaves working in rice and indigo fields. While the Carrington’s don’t own slaves, Lady Carrington’s unsympathetic perspective towards her servant, especially Vieve’s brother, is equal to the unapologetic treatment of the slaves by their Montague owners. The emphasis on one’s social standing amplifies the distressing treatment of the unfortunate people under these merciless individuals.

Lady Carrington and Elizabeth Montague are certainly cut from the same cloth, even though they never meet. They possess similar characteristics - entitled, apathetic, unsympathetic, and completely irredeemable. The despicable behaviour of both women in this novel establishes them as the obvious antagonists, and they both leave a lasting mark on Vieve’s life. While the reader’s interaction with Elizabeth is longer, it remains challenging to develop any sympathy for her, even in instances where sympathy would be appropriate. Her response to family indiscretions is to eliminate the victim rather than hold the perpetrator accountable. This novel places great emphasis on the idea that money can mask a variety of sins.

Life’s fragility is portrayed through the thoughtful use of similes and metaphors. Like the recurring seasons, the moon’s waxing and waning exemplify its inherent splendour and untamed strength. Brandon uses the moon repeatedly throughout this novel and it becomes something of a symbol for civilisation. By incorporating Mr. Thomas Paine and his progressive ideas, Brandon explores the potential for a different life for the characters in this story. A life that is not dictated by a few individuals. Irony is again put to good use for there is a prevailing sense of restlessness within the 13 colonies — they do not like to be told what to do, they want freedom from Britain. The ominous anticipation of war on the horizon is felt by all the characters in this novel, and more importantly, there is a sense of fear about what would happen after such a war. Would freedom be gained by some and lost by others? Or would this be a chance as Paine so elegantly put it: “… to begin the world over again.” The new world. A chance for individual liberty – of course that would depend on the individual in question. It’s really heart-wrenching to learn about Maybelle’s aspirations for her future. With nothing to hold onto but hope, she yearns for the freedom to shape her own destiny. Perhaps this war will see an end to slavery and she and her family will be free. Man’s inconsistency is once again comparable to the ever-changing nature of the moon, promises can just as easily be broken as made. Which leaves the reader truly fearing for Maybelle’s future.

Patricia Brandon’s Rise of the Pale Moon is an emotionally charged and captivating novel that had me engrossed from the very first sentence until the final punctuation mark. This literary masterpiece is an undeniable triumph that I enthusiastically recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde
Yarde Book Reviews & Book Promotion

Pick up your copy of
Rise of the Pale Moon
HERE!  

Patricia Brandon

I'm homegrown_ raised, braised, and cured in a charcuterie of the Deep South, with the wonderful nuances of family, friends, and our famously fractured characters. One of only three girls in a host of boy cousins and two brothers, I learned to find my own way somewhere between southern belle and tomboy. 

 I was that kid at the top of the summer reading list challenge, tucked away in a secret fort, or obscure beach cottage loft on a rainy day, devouring a smorgasbord of goodies from biographies and Nancy Drew mysteries, to C.S. Lewis and The Scarlet Letter. Books were_ and still are _ both the escape and the connection!

 After I had raised my girls, and was approaching my 60th birthday, I was stricken with a very rare form of paralysis, a "surfer's stroke". (As my fabulous English teacher used to say, "Go look it up.") My tennis, hiking, music-festival attending days came to an abrupt halt. My world temporarily imploded while I negotiated through the mess. The journey to walk again is ongoing, but possible, and I haven't given up! My book, In The Valley Of Achor, is a view of the first year of life in a wheelchair, and a very important part of my own spiritual journey as well. I'm still active, but in a much different way these days. Writing, jewelry making, learning to play the mountain dulcimer, and staying active in my church, have all become therapeutic, fun, and meaningful ways of seeking joy in my life. An English teacher once told me she wanted an autographed copy of my first book. Life kind of got in the way for awhile, but I have discovered, again, how much I love writing, reading, and discovering all that is given to us in this life. I gravitate to historical fiction, and that is what my first fiction novel, The Center of Gravity, will be! It's almost ready for publishing, so stay tuned! 

 Come along on the journey with me! patriciabrandon.com