by Nathaniel Nathaniel Hawthorne
First published 2018
John Endicott commands the Salem trainband as they gather for military exercises on an autumn day over two centuries past. The English colors fly above the assembled militia, but these are no ordinary drills. The religious exiles who settled New England find themselves preparing for conflict as relations between King Charles the First and his subjects deteriorate. Parliament echoes with heated disputes, while the King's measures grow increasingly harsh. The royal opposition lacks the strength to challenge injustice with force, leaving the colonists caught between competing loyalties. Endicott must navigate this treacherous political landscape while preparing his men for whatever may come. The story captures a pivotal moment when the future of New England hangs in the balance, and ordinary citizens must decide where their allegiances lie.
Genres: american-fiction, historical-fiction, american, 19th-century, american-history
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: divided-loyalties, political-intrigue
Setting: Salem, New England
Period: 17th Century, Colonial Era
26 pages · Paperback · Independently published