Greetings fellow bookworms!

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!!! Today is the day the famed “Gunpowder treason and plot” was to take place! A day shrouded in mystery and conspiracy. Guy Fawkes (and other conspirators) hid barrels of powder under the Parliament building in the hopes of assassinating King James. This is such an intriguing story and if I lived in England, you can be sure I would be even more fascinated!

Although I don’t have a review for you today (Alas! When I read this book, I didn’t take notes for the review!), I thought I’d mention a Guy Fawkes Day book! Fawkes by Nadine Brandes tells the story of Thomas Fawkes, the son of Guy Fawkes. While it’s not known for certain whether Guy Fawkes had a child, there’s a single, mysterious record of his birth.

This story is historical fantasy (the first I’ve ever read), and the storytelling, world-building, and themes are all beautiful. I love the author’s other books (one series made it onto my Ones that Really Mattered list), and this book has an eerie tone and intense plot. Review to come!

“Remember, remember, the fifth of November,

The Gunpowder treason and plot;

I know of no reason why the Gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot!

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his itent

To blow up the king and Parliament;

Threescore barrels of powder below,

Poor old England to overthrow.

By God’s providence he was catch’d,

With a dark lantern and a burning match.”