“In “At the Seven Stars” (1963) these authors provided a panoramic vision of 18th century London during the time of King George III. Here they have given a similar treatment to an earlier time in English history, the years just prior to the Restoration. The Puritans, with their undisputed respectability, are a popular subject for juvenile historical fiction. In this case the severity of the heroine’s beliefs is tempered by her gradual involvement in the Royalist cause. 15 year old Penitence Hervey leaves her home in Salem to visit her dying grandmother in Worcestershire, England. Although she is avid in her support of Cromwell and has agreed to spy on her relatives for the cause, circumstances bring her to the opposing side. The devoted Roundhead who masquerades as a boy to bring news to Cromwell on the eve of the battle at Worcestershire is kissed by King Charles, accompanies him on his disguised escape, and has a romance with an outlaw cousin. A solid overlay of detail makes this fantastic sequence of events seem perfectly plausible. The story is long, but this is compensated by the building adventure set against the full panoply of the period setting, which has been described in a smoothly convincing modification of Cromwellian English.”

“One of history’s more exciting episodes is the escape of Charles II after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. With Parliamentarians hunting for him, he was concealed by loyal supporters and eventually made his way to safety in France. Mr. and Mrs. Beatty create a fictional character, Penitence Hervey, a Puritan from the American colonies, to accompany King Charles for part of his journey. The King’s story is only a part of this novel, however, which concentrates more on Pen’s interactions with her Royalist, non-Puritan English relatives.”

“What a captivating read! The wonder of a new world filled with great characters, intrigue and suspense as we chart the journey our the young Puritan heroine, Penitence, from innocence into a time of war and religious strife. Set against the great historical backdrop of the English Civil War, this is an adventurous story of courage and commitment for any reader but especially for younger readers. The illustrations and interactivity make it all come alive. If you have not tried historical fiction before, you will be hooked after this one.”

“This story takes you into the life and mind of Puritans during the English Civil War. Young Penitence is a colonial girl in the Massachusetts Bay Colonies and is sent to retrieve her inheritance from her deceased mother’s family. While abroad, England is fighting a bloody war between the Parliamentarian troops of Oliver Cromwell and the Cavalier troops of King Charles II. Pen learns that all she thought she knew of puritans is not always true. This is a true coming of age journey for Pen as she makes discoveries about he own assumptive heart, decides what right and wrong for herself and makes new friends that she’ll carry home with her if she manages to escape a ravaged countryside as Cromwell searches for Charles II.

John and Patricia Beatty are masters at transporting you in time and Pen’s story will have you questioning your views on what you think you know about your life.”