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Title: A Question of Courage (Questions of War, #2)
Author: Jesseca Wheaton
Published: 2017
Synopsis:
A man. A decision. A destiny.
Rafe Sullivan never imagined the war would come to his doorstep. But when Pearl Harbor is attacked and America’s focus suddenly shifts to the pacific, he finds he can’t ignore the problem anymore.
Leaving the life he loves behind, he joins up to do what he does best. Fly.
Yet, nothing could have prepared him for the horrors of war, and the struggle that is going on in his own heart. As an outstanding navy pilot, he is stationed on one of the few Pacific carriers. But could God be calling him to step out in faith, and go beyond the call of duty?
Lily Wilson gives her all to help the hurting community around her. With the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the war is brought home to many American families. And as a nurse, she longs to be able to relive some of the suffering. Yet, her own grief is still fresh in her heart, and though she’s made the decision to get on with her life, she can’t seem to leave the past behind. When healing at last comes, the guard she placed around her heart slowly begins to crumble.
But when she receives the news she hoped she would never again hear, can she trust that God’s plan is always right?
Arthur Warrington saw the Navy as an escape from the life he left behind. And it seems good for him. He is able to forge new friendships and distance himself from his past. But when his best friend makes a decision that rocks his world, he is left grappling with the question: what is true courage?
Three lives. One War. And a search for the Courage to go on. (Taken from Goodreads)
Review:
Wow!!!!! I was so impressed!
Every book the author writes, she gets better, no doubt; but this book took not just one step forward, but several. I was blown away by not only the accuracy of the tale to the historical period but the author’s ability to show me so vividly what it felt like to be there. She so rawly communicated the emotions plaguing our dear characters, not shying away from harder scenes but handling everything with a beautiful delicacy.
Not every character was full and real, but I was okay with that, because the characters that were important were most definitely real, distinct, individual, and easy to love. I really liked Rafe and his determination to stand up to the ways of the world around him. Though at times I felt the messages told through such resistance—such as treating women right—were ladled on a bit too heavily, it wasn’t enough to discourage my fondness for the story and of course I did appreciate the messages.
The romance between Lily and Rafe was beautiful. At first Lily seemed too one-dimensional to me, with everything going on in her mind from losing Gil and trying to decide if she loved Rafe. And to be completely honest, that was the one area I actually didn’t really like as much in general. It wasn’t done lazily or anything, but I felt we just needed more time for some of that development to happen and we didn’t get it. However, by the end of the story I liked it a lot more, and the last few chapters had me rapidly turning pages, unable to put it down.
Negative Content/Notes:
No negative content, but some brief descriptions of war.
Overall:
Not sure what there’s left to say…I was impressed!
Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Recommended to: Fans of historical fiction especially, but I think almost anyone could enjoy this story! Ages 12+.
**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**