Tobias

Author: Madeline Brock
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Upward Way Chronicles #3

Tobias grows up serving in the church and trying to please his legalistic father, Reverend Ananias Wolfe. Raised without a mother, Tobias spends much of his time with their clumsy housekeeper, his beloved sister, and her irksome friend Charity. He is bullied by his peers at school and soon finds himself in more serious trouble when he is framed for stealing.

Bound by his rigid upbringing, Tobias struggles to make his own decisions as adult life sweeps in. Charity suddenly goes from annoying to attractive, America is on the brink of Civil War, and Tobias feels called to the medical field against his father’s wishes. In the face of so much change, he must decide what he believes and what he stands for.

The young man is tested when he is thrown into Gettysburg’s bloody aftermath and forced to deal with a childhood enemy and a determined admirer. As the burden to live righteously grows heavy, Tobias discovers his need for Salvation and realizes there is more to faith in God than just following the rules. Follow Tobias Wolfe as he searches for love, purpose, and redemption in this coming of age story.

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Reviewer: Deanne Patterson

Tobias Wolfe grows up as a preacher's boy, and he's bullied relentlessly and framed for stealing. Growing up with his sister doesn't have a mother, and their father is not understanding of children and very strict. He spends his time in the company of his father's housekeeper, younger sister, and her friend, Charity. Charity is a young girl, and he finds her annoying.

In this coming of age story, Tobias is struggling to please his father, struggling to make the right decisions as he grows up. He finds himself drawn to the medical field against his father's wishes.

Growing up is about making your own way in life and taking a stand about what you believe is right. At the brink of the Civil War, he finds himself drawn into the medical field with urgency as the battle at Gettysburg rages. What he lacks in skill will soon be a thing of the past as many necessary surgeries for the soldiers happen. Will it all come together for him in this time of uncertainty, though?

The characters were very well developed in this fast-paced and easy to read book. I look forward to reading more in this series.

This book was provided courtesy of Rosway Press, through Interviews & Reviews.

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Reviewer: Marta Aldrighetti

This is the third book in the Upward Way Chronicles series, but you can easily read it as a stand-alone book.

Tobias, as the title suggests, is the main character of the book. Set in Philadelphia, the year 1856, Tobias is shy, sensitive, unlucky, and the son of a minister of the local church. Thanks to the war, Tobias and all the characters learn how a boy becomes a man during the war. And how sentiments turn to love and to miss others. They learn how home and family become a place eager to return to and how a childish enemy can become a friend. They learn how studies are important and how God's presence can help during a time of suffering.

A very nice and interesting story. I loved it.

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