I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions are my own. 

Two brothers separated by tragedy grow up on opposite sides of a brewing conflict in author Armand Du Silence’s “Blood and Soil,” the second book in the A Mari Usque Ad Mare Novel series.

The Synopsis

The soil demands blood. Memory offers no mercy.

1689: what was meant to be the dawn of a dream in the New World becomes the most brutal of nightmares.

When Mohawk warriors strike in the dead of night, the Martiny family is engulfed by senseless violence. Carlo “Charles” Martini, an Italian builder who sought a future in New France, fights with every fibre of his being to protect his own, but fate is cruel: three of his children are snatched away, destined to grow up as strangers within the enemy tribe. While Charles struggles to rebuild his life within the walls of Québec, his brother Antoine refuses to surrender. In the northern wilderness, a blood bond forged with Kwame, a man escaped from the shackles of slavery, ignites an ambition that stretches far beyond the frontier, reaching towards the gold and the shadows of Africa.

Blood and Soil is the gripping second volume of the epic adventure saga A Mari Usque Ad Mare. A forty-year odyssey of rebirth and betrayal, sweeping from the savage American frontier to the first voyages towards the Dark Continent, following the iron will of a family that refuses to be broken.

In a world ruled by chaos, the only bond that endures is the one etched in the scars of the past.

THE REVIEW

This was yet another compelling entry in this fantastic historical fiction series. Delving further into the family history behind this story’s cast of characters and how the family tree branches off by tragic circumstances showcases a depth of world-building that not only infuses real-world history into the narrative but also creates engaging and dynamic characters that are able to grab the reader’s attention and make them connect on an emotional level.

One aspect of the series that continues to impress me is the level of detail the author is able to immerse into this original narrative, using great historical context and references. While some American history buffs will know the Seven Years War and how it impacted what would eventually become the United States, very few take the time to explore how it impacted the Canadian territories as it would eventually become known and the way the author was able to infuse a plethora of historical events, including the Seven Years War and the Fall of Quebec, making this narrative far more immersive than the previous entry in the series while also giving readers a grounded story of family and trauma. Introducing or rather re-introducing Carlos’ brother Antoine into the narrative as well as exploring how two brothers in the next generation of this family were separated by the tragic kidnapping of one of them, and how this led to them becoming enemies on opposite sides of battle, deeply showcases the theme of brotherhood and the impact world events could have on families overall.

THE VERDICT

Compelling, engaging, and a detailed yet immersive reading experience, author Armand Du Silence’s “Blood and Soil” is a must-read historical fiction drama and a compelling sequel entry into this prominent historical fiction series. The twists and turns the story takes, and the dynamic character development and world-building that bring real-world history to life on the page, while also giving voice to this prominent family that the author has crafted, will leave readers on the edge of their seats as the introduction of new characters leads into a promising and equally heartbreaking third entry into the series. If you haven’t yet, please be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Armand Du Silence is an Italian-born author and a traveller by vocation, standing as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary adventure fiction. His literary work is profoundly influenced by personal explorations, allowing him to imbue his books with a realism and depth rarely found in the genre.

He is the creator of the successful saga “A Mari Usque Ad Mare”, an epic work that explores the ancestral relationship between humanity and the great watery expanses, weaving together themes of courage and discovery. Armand’s writing is characterised by its fast-paced rhythm and meticulous geographical and historical reconstruction, the result of notes taken directly in the field.

Beyond his writing, Armand’s life revolves around two great passions: travel and dogs. Firmly believing that there is no better companion than a dog to understand the essence of freedom, Armand frequently weaves the theme of animal loyalty into his plots. Today, he continues to live and write, pursuing a narrative quest that blends classic action with a modern environmental sensibility.