Brothers at Arms: Treasure and Treachery in the Amazon

Brothers at Arms: Treasure and Treachery in the Amazon
(Men of Grit #1)
By: John J. Horn
Rating: 5 stars
Ages: 12 and up (for action)

Lawrence and Chester Stoning are twins, but like Jacob and Esau of old they have little else in common. Lawrence is a realist, fascinated by the study of science, mathematics, and history, while Chester longs for the knightly adventures of chivalrous times past - hard-fought battles, gold-filled caves, damsels in distress.

When Chester's impetuosity engages the unlikely pair as bodyguards to a Spaniard and his beautiful ward, Pacarina, the twins quickly realize that the 19th century calls for a chivalry of its own. Protecting Pacarina's secret leads all of them into the steaming jungles and dizzying mountains of Peru, a foreboding territory made all the more dangerous by Lawrence and Chester's strivings against each other.

Can the twins learn to trust God and work together before it's too late? Or will they fall prey to the mysterious schemes of Pacarina's enemy - an enemy they know nothing about?

After reading Brothers at Arms: Treasure and Treachery in the Amazon a second time recently, I still came away amazed. I knew what was going to happen, I knew where the story was headed, I knew who the bad guy was the whole time - but I still immensely enjoyed it. Seriously, after over a year of reading and reading other novels, it still stands as my favorite book. Why? Well, don't get me started...

Action. Adventure. Peril. The slightest hint of a romance. It all added up to become an intensely amazing story that I just want to keep reading. Oh, why did it have to end!? :) John J. Horn created an awesome tale. I adore it.

Lawrence and Chester are so opposite - Lawrence is studious and philosophical, and Chester is mischievous and adventurous. Yet, they work extremely well together. All the times they banded together to overcome impossible odds - escaping that treacherous cave and an enemy ship, fighting the Mayamuras, chasing down Pacarina, the list goes on. They are honestly two of my favorite fictional characters. The dialogue between them throughout the book was hilarious. Law and Chester are the perfect pair. And, I have to say, Chester might have a bit of Peterkin from The Coral Island in him.

Pacarina Garnica was a wonderful character. After having read the book again, I like her even more. She is strong, intelligent, fun, and totally perfect for- *cough, cough* Never mind that matter. She was an awesome heroine for this novel.

Sabas and Garcia are a totally different matter. I can't say much about either of them without giving something away, so... we'll just leave it at that - or, since there is nothing to leave it at, I'll just leave it. :)

(I'll give some of my thoughts from the first time I read it, since the experience was different the second time)

I was on the edge of my seat when I read this last August. I read it in two days, the majority of it being in one sitting. I couldn't put it down! I was delighted with the originality (you could say improbability) and creativity of the plot. It had me hooked from the very first page.

John Horn's love of history is evident, and I love the humor that is intertwined throughout the whole story. It has elements of manliness, chivalry, bravery, and God-honoring principles that are hard to find in books today.

I can't recommend it highly enough! Just go read it! It's an unforgettable story. We need more novels and stories like this one.

Recommended for historical fiction readers, adventure and action fans, and those who just want to read a good book. Both boys and girls will love it.