Britfield and the Rise of the Lion

Title: Britfield and the Rise of the Lion
Author: C. R. Stewart
Series: Britfield series, book 2
Major Themes: France, War, Europe
Synopsis: As Tom and Sarah travel through France trying to find Tom’s parents, their lives are in danger at every turn.

A couple of years ago, we read Britfield and the Lost Crown. We enjoyed it as an adventure story, even though it was rather unrealistic. Tom and Sarah escaped from one danger after another in incredible ways. When I was offered Britfield and Rise of the Lion this year, my children wanted to hear the story, so we requested it.

Tom and Sarah washed up at Mont-Saint-Michel after being shipwrecked in the English Channel. After spending six months there and learning more about the Britfields, they found a way to get to Paris. This set off a chain of events, putting them in danger every step of the way. Dangling from the Eiffel Tower, discussing art in the Louvre and finding long-buried secrets, traveling across France from one historic chateau to another…they are always on the run and always only one step or less away from disaster.

To be honest, if I had known what this book was like, I would not have requested a review copy when the author asked for reviewers. We enjoyed the first Britfield book, although the adventure was pretty far-fetched. In this one though, there were not only many nearly unbelievable escapes, there was way too much violence for us. As I read the book aloud, I skipped over a number of scenes of gun battles and descriptions of a genetically-engineered, demon-controlled being. My children’s minds don’t need to be filled with that kind of thing.

It seemed to us as though C. R. Stewart took all the conspiracy theories that are floating around and compiled them into one story. Actually, though, watching events around the world for the last year or two, this book doesn’t feel too far-fetched, as far as the “Committee” that rules the world from behind the scenes. We decided that Britfield and the Rise of the Lion should be an adult book, instead of a children’s book.

Another thing that really didn’t ring true for us was the long discussions at moments of crisis. The enemy would be closing in, and Tom and Sarah and the adults who were helping and protecting them would have a long discussion about history! After reading this book, we’ve unanimously decided we’re not interested in reading any more sequels, even though the end of this book left us hanging.

I received a review copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

WARNING: As mentioned above.