Fire by Night

Another great story

If you could sum up Fire by Night in three words, what would they be?

Engaging, authentic, inspiring

What other book might you compare Fire by Night to and why?

Lynn Austen's books relating to the Civil War have a Gone With the Wind flavor with a heroine you can admire. Her rich detail comes from thorough research that gives this inspiring story and its characters their depth.

What about Christina Moore’s performance did you like?

Christina Moore always brings the emotion and color that adds so much meaning to the story. Her ability to develop each character with a unique vocal style is the basis of that color.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Once I've been drawn into one of Austen's stories, I just want to stay in it to see how the characters will grow and develop their faith.

Any additional comments?

I think Austen always finds a perfect balance between a message of faith and an engaging example of historical fiction.

8 people found this helpful

You could listen to this book over and over!

This is one of the best books I ever listened too. It is the story of two young women who are eighteen years old and how they grow up and mature during the last three years of the Civil War.

Each girl takes on very different roles, one as a nurse and one as a soldier, and it is so interesting hearing how they get where they are, and how they live and manage to get by-- and when their paths cross and the soldier is found out to be a woman, they become friends.

This is a story of determination, strength of character, faith and courage, friendship and love, and a realistic view of how things were during and after the battles were fought. The female characters will touch your hearts and the male characters will intrigue you because they have their own stories and struggles within the book-- and the ending is so sweet and so very well done that you might want to listen to it again and again.

This is a fantastic novel and the attention to detail is amazing. The characters live and breathe through the different voice tones of the reader and there is never a dull moment-- and quite a few surprises. It's a story that will be remembered long after the book ends and if you like richly developed plots, a cast of characters that are well defined, and feel good books, you should love this one!

13 people found this helpful

left me smiling!

I loved this book! I have never read anything by Lynn Austin and chose it because of the reviews. I was very suprised to find that I cleaned longer, worked out longer, drove my car slower- anything that kept me listening to my ipod longer. The story took some turns you might not like but in the end it left me smiling. I highly recommend this book!

10 people found this helpful

Love It! Highly Recommend it?

This was a wonderful story that mixed civil war history with integrity, kindness and love. The author bound these attributes together with strong Christian values. I will listen to it many times. It not only entertained me with an uplifting love story, it furthered my knowledge of the difficult and painful Civil War times.

8 people found this helpful

A great story read by a great narrator

Where does Fire by Night rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is an excellent story, told from a different perspective on the Civil war.

What did you like best about this story?

I especially appreciated hearing the story from the perspective of those caring for the wounded. How overwhelming it was for the doctors and nurses as they cared for the wounded and dying soldiers. Their personal lives being entertwined with each other as they served. This story truly captured the sights and sounds of the Civil war for me.

What about Christina Moore’s performance did you like?

She captured the personalities of the characters very well. She used the appropriate inflections for the story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Phoebe had to make the choice to shoot Julia's abductor, even though she didn't want to kill him, she had to make the decision to do so in order to save Julia's life.

Any additional comments?

A very well written book with good character development and progresion of story.

3 people found this helpful

Good story, disappointing romance

I enjoyed fire by night. I found the story of both girls captivating. Phoebe (disguised as a union soldier), and Julia as a 'married nurse,' but I really feel this novel should've been two separate books. I found it incredibly disconcerting to switch back and forth between the two major protagonists especially when they didn't meet at all until the middle. I also didn't like Julia's romance at all. What is with authors finding the angriest, annoying and antagonistic male character and making him the love interest? Yuck. Seems like a recipe for an abusive relationship to me.

I also liked the Ted/Phoebe storyline. At least until the end. Ted was such a cute character. I would've liked to have seen this romance end differently.

Overall, an enjoyable story, but a disappointing romantically. I remained unconvinced at the end that these to characters were with the right partners.4 stars.

8 people found this helpful

A Little Bit Gypped....

I never had any interest whatsoever in the Civil War until I stumbled upon "A Light To My Path". I have not only read the trilogy, but have been to Gettysburg twice! I also have devoured all of Lynn Austin's books and have started researching some of the other topics she has laid out. Her stories are faith-based and truly inspiring.

I really like anything she writes, and I have to say that "Fire By Night" is my all time favorite. I have listened to this book a few times and hope to listen to it many more. Christina Moore does an outstanding job interpreting each character.

HOWEVER: I read the paperback first (which I also loved) and noticed that the section describing Phoebe's brother Willard on the deathbed was omitted in the Audible version. To me this was a very important part of the original story, as it gave even more insight into Phoebe's character.

4 people found this helpful

warms your heart

This was a good story, especially if you are looking for a good book without filthy language and disgusting topics. It gave me a real appreciation for what women through the years have went through so that we can be free to follow our dreams and not be limited to certain career choices. It also reminded me of what a blood bath the Civil war was. I can't imagine what it must have been like living in those times.

6 people found this helpful

Fire By Night

excellent ,excellent,excellent! very good reader,very enjoyable listening. the history is interwoven & the scripture applied so appropriately.would recommend it highly.

6 people found this helpful

Absolute BEST Civil War Fictional Series

Just finished Fire by Night, the second in the Refiner's Fire trilogy by Lynn Austin. The first one, Candle in the Darkness, was so good, I didn't think this one could match it, but it does. This time the family is on the Union side, although few family members are actually enlisted as soldiers in the war. Class differences existed in the north, which is evidenced by the wealthy being able to "buy" their way out of serving in the Union army. I admire the way that Lynn Austin is able to cut through Christian hypocrisy and show the truth of our Savior's grace and love. The Civil War, on both sides, was very evil, and this series, is the best I have read/heard in divulging the human failures of the war. Slavery is and was absolutely wrong. And it is by divine providence that the north won the war and slavery was abolished. That said, the price that our nation paid was a grievous one, and many horrors were perpetrated by the blue and the gray.

2 people found this helpful