Copyright © 2009 by Michael A. Burstein
Traitor to the Crown series by C.C. Finlay, published by Del Rey:
The Patriot Witch (pb, 352 pages, 9780345503909, April 2009)
A Spell for the Revolution (pb, 400 pages, 9780345503916, May 2009)
The Demon Redcoat (pb, 400 pages, 9780345503923, June 2009)
Proctor Brown isn’t your everyday minuteman living through the American Revolution. He’s dedicated to the American cause, certainly, even to the point of abandoning the love he has for a loyalist girlfriend for a greater cause. But Brown also carries with him a secret that could get him and his parents killed, for Brown is one in a long line of witches descended from Salem, and if his powers are discovered, it could mean the end of all his hopes and ambitions.
Although the idea of incorporating real magic into the story of the American Revolution is not an original one, C.C. Finlay makes it uniquely his by focusing on a fascinating character. Like all well-rounded characters, Brown is a mass of contradictions, wanting both to know more about his powers while at the same time afraid of what he might discover. As Brown gets caught up in his adventures, he learns more about his magical talents and how magic can assist the battle for freedom, but he also constantly questions his role and worried about the consequences of his actions.
Finlay has done his historical research, but he doesn’t let it overwhelm the tale. He does an excellent job of painting the historical period and showing the reader the growth of Proctor Brown. In The Patriot Witch, Brown begins to explore his powers and those of other witches, and even gets involved in a minor mystery. A Spell for the Revolution continues Brown’s story as he leads a small group of witches against a secret society that is attempting to undermine George Washington and the continental army. And in The Demon Redcoat, Brown’s story becomes even more personal, as his family is threatened by a powerful demon and he must enlist the aid of the country’s founding fathers. The first book in the series moves a bit slowly, but that’s understandable, given the need to set up his world; the other two books move a lot more quickly. The writing in all three books is solid, and Finlay avoids the trap of leaving readers hanging too much at the end of any one book. In theory, a reader could start with any book, but Del Rey made the wise publishing decision to release all three books within the three months before American Independence Day.
The Traitor for the Crown series is a delightful blend of historical fiction and fantasy, with a clever idea well executed. Seek it out; you’ll be glad you did.