Friends and Enemies
Friends & Enemies
David Field

Reviewed by Ashley Merrill

This first book in a three book series was a very good read. Set in both current times and 400 years in the past, this book gives you a healthy dose of excitement. Tommy, a fifteen year old boy goes on a vacation with his parents. Upon arrival they find themselves staying in a beautiful chateau. Passing by a painting, Tommy suddenly feels as though it is trying to draw him in. Thinking nothing of it, he goes by the painting again, wondering if he will experience that same feeling. The next thing he knows he wakes up and finds that he is no longer in the chateau with his parents; he is instead in a strange land with people who are dressed very funny.

Tommy starts to walk around and realizes that even though he doesn’t know these people, he has memories of knowing them. People all around him are calling him Thomas. Tommy soon realizes that he has entered into another time. He is in the year 1599! Tommy meets a beautiful young lady by the name of Eloise whom he saw in the painting before it sucked him in. He learns that he has switched places with the Count and Countesses son, Thomas.  Together, Tommy and Eloise they find themselves experiencing wondrous adventures. Whether they are dressing up at nuns to hide from their enemies, swimming in the river, or hanging out in a swamp with thieves and murderers, they do it together, realizing more and more how much they are falling for each other.

David Field has created an original story that is unlike any other. I loved the action, the subtle, budding romance, and the characters bravery. This story is filled with description that allow its readers to feel as though they are running with Eloise and Tommy as they search for a way out of a dark and scary cave before getting caught by the Bishop and his guards. David Field creates noble characters that one can look up to as well as slimy, evil characters that make you shudder and cringe.  

The ending leaves you with a cliff hanger that makes it impossible to not want to go out and get the second book.  I would recommend this story to anyone who likes adventure that is not rushed. Putting this story into multiple books has really helped this book to take shape and allow the readers to get into the book.

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Review: The Fairest Star

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