Reviewed by Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite

S.D. Banks pens a splendid tale of historical fact and fiction in Transcendent Loyalties: A Novel of the American Revolution. Two young people from Boston come of age during the prelude to the American Revolution. Anna Somerset is an adventurous, outspoken, intelligent teenage girl who lives with her Loyalist uncle, John Wilton. Her slightly older friend, Daniel Garrett, is a brave, yet haughty young man, who seems to gravitate to trouble, especially the violent kind. Much to Anna’s dismay, Daniel joins the Patriot movement, supporting the Sons of Liberty. After the massacre in front of the Custom House, Anna is sent to London. During her absence, she and Daniel exchange letters. Over time, they realize how much they truly care for each other, but neither one shares the depth of their feelings. Anna returns to her beloved Boston on the verge of war. Anna and Daniel's devotion is strong toward each other, yet their beliefs are at an impasse. Their loyalties remain on opposite sides of the growing political unrest. Their friendship is stretched, tested to its core. Anna is fueled by her dreams of love and peace. Daniel is fueled by his fire for freedom. “Sometimes dreams and fire are a powerful combination.”

S.D. Banks writes an eloquent piece of historical literature in Transcendent Loyalties: A Novel of the American Revolution. With brilliant word usage, the narrative is exceptionally written. Metaphors float across the pages, painting vivid scenes and portraying the thoughts and intentions of the characters. Battle scenes surge with adrenaline, placing the reader in the thick of the fight. History comes alive! The characterization is refined and balanced, creating a fluid plot progression. The main characters are bold and intelligent. Yet, equally compassionate and caring, they buffer each other’s strengths and flaws, making them a dynamic heroic duo. The villainess is a master of deception, growing in her narcissism, unleashing sociopathic tendencies.

The obvious conflict is between the Loyalists and the Patriots; however, the real conflict emerges from this primary divergence. The conflict of loyalty to preferential political causes and devotion to friendship between the narrative’s characters is the driving force of the story. Banks exposes the nature of fear as an underlying theme. Fear is dangerous; it causes the worst to surface from deep within a soul, resulting in unspeakable acts of violence, especially on the battlefield. But more importantly, fear is also a powerful mechanism for survival. Fear causes men and women to rise up to face insurmountable challenges. One of my favorite concepts in the book is: “America is not to be a nation of nobility, but a nation of ordinary folks. To be a great nation ... ordinary folks will have to be willing to step up and do the extraordinary from time to time ... to put down their plows and pick up a sword or musket.” I love this statement. I pray that it remains as true and meaningful today as it was then.