The Patriots by John Heldt is new in his stone shed series, and it is filled with fun and adventure. Compared to John’s last book, Second Chance series (starting with The Fountain), This one features a different kind of siblings. History major Noah Maclean, the older brother of 22, finds himself grieving the sudden death of his ailing grandfather, Rory. Soon, he and his brother Jake, a fifteen year old young gun, find themselves orphaned again when their grandfather passed away.
The Inheritance
What do you say when you inherit a stone shed that can bring you back in time? For Noah and Jake, it seemed like an adventure that no one else could have. The Macleans have found out about the magical properties of the shed dating as far back as 1744, and had managed to develop a system for safe travels. When their uncle Douglas wanted to dismantle it for fear of wrong use, Noah and Jake convinced him to let them have the experience.
Soon, a date was set. The two boys picked 1956 to try. After a successful trip, they wanted to spend some time in 1776, a time steeped in history. The time where Benjamin Franklin was alive and in Pennsylvania. Soon, with the help of their experienced relative/ traveller, they set off.
Story
There are a few points of views in The Patriots to make the story easier to follow along. While it was mainly Noah and Jakes, but you get to see the other characters in play. The different views provide a better view of life in 1776 and a modern person’s take on living there. Granted, it would be hard to live without some modern conveniences. Soon Noah and Jake settle down with the help of town people and extended family. No time travel will be complete without meeting new people and establishing new relationships.
On one hand, there’s the fear of changing the past. On another, being in a time where history is being made is a special experience. Noah and Jake faces mounting pressure, and their decision may well affect the future.
Verdict
It is an interesting start to the Stone Shed series. As Noah and Jake navigate life in 1776, they are also growing into men with a purpose. In The Patriots, the time they travelled to is a tumultuous period in American history. I am interested to see what the future holds for both brothers as the consequence of their decisions.
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