Title: Searchers: The Irish Clans Book One of the Series
Author: Stephen Finlay Archer
Publisher: Manzanita Writers Press
ISBN: 978-0990801948
Pages: 474
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reviewed by: Aaron Washington
Hollywood Book Reviews
Searchers: The Irish Clans: The Irish Clans Book One of the Series is the first book in ‘The Irish Clans’ book series. The main story is about Irish revolutionary wars witnessed among Irish clans in the 20th century. The reader is made to time travel to 1915 as the story starts in the Atlantic Ocean south of the Irish coast. A death happened in Ireland in 1915, which caused a revolution. Meanwhile, in the United States, Irish nationals are also entangled in this conflict. The two clans involved in the dispute are The McCarthy and O’Donnell Clans. It is fascinating how members of each clan have their individual agendas while collectively working for a similar goal. There is a clan pact, and the author keeps the reader guessing how the two will meet in the end.
The first character to be introduced to the reader in chapter one is Claire. She has a friend, Doris, who is also a nurse like she is. They are on this sea voyage where they are engaging in life stories, among other things. All seems to be going well until they experience a torpedo sinking. This leaves Claire with a memory loss. Claire’s name is later changed to Morgan by Tadgh McCarthy, an Irish dissident sea captain. Claire is one of the most significant characters in this book because this Irish lass could be having the answers to ancient clans’ secrets. The reader loves Claire as a character from the onset, not just because she is among the main characters, but also because of how much of an enigma she is.
In Searches: The Irish Clans, the reader is entertained by historical fiction tales that happen in Ireland and America. The events in both countries are intriguing, with the characters having special attributes and taking perilous actions. Mr. Stephen Finlay Archer wrote an incredible book for readers who enjoy war stories, politics and history. Amidst the stories, the reader also learns of British oppression of Irish people and the role Germans have played over various periods in history. Drama in Searches; The Irish Clans is in plenty: Drama among family, lovers, political factions, and allies. The action is also immense, with the author centering the main stories on the personal lives and political side of Irish people. The events that happened between 1915 and 1923 became a symbolic part of Irish history.
Searches: The Irish Clans is an excellent book for teens and young adults. The language in the book is modest, and the author uses simple and discernible diction. You do not have to be a history enthusiast to enjoy this book as Mr. Stephen Finlay Archer expounds on any unfamiliar term, unknown historical event and even the historical figures mentioned in the book. I award Searches: The Irish Clans with “Notable” because of the mystery, adventure, suspense, drama and vivid description employed by the author in his narration. I also admired the book because of the many lessons on war and peace, politics, loyalty, poverty, and history.