A Book Review: {By the Light of the Silvery Moon} by Tricia Goyer

About the book: Remember the Titanic 100 years after its doomed voyage with Tricia Goyer’s fictional portrayal of one woman’s journey. To Amelia Gladstone, this ship means promise of seeing family again. To Quentin Walpole, the Titanic represents a new start in America…if he can get on board. All seems lost until Amelia offers him a ticket, securing his passage—and bringing him face-to-face with his railroad tycoon father and older brother, Damien. As Amelia works to reconcile father and son, she finds herself the object of both brothers’ affection. Can she choose between two brothers? Or will she lose everything to the icy waters of the Atlantic?

My Rating:  5 Stars

My Review: It's not often that I actually purchase a book for "full" price, but that's how much I wanted to read this one!  Tricia Goyer has done an amazing job bringing to life all of the magnificence of the Titanic, as well as its tragic demise (which only takes up about twenty percent of the book).  Tricia has done a fantastic job weaving the real-life story of the Titanic, around the fictional story of Amelia Gladstone -- the two seem to have been effortlessly woven together.  In addition, Tricia includes an intriguing retelling of the story of the prodigal son.  With messages of God's love, hope, forgiveness, and redemption, you can't go wrong -- it all works together beautifully!  I read the book in two days, because it was so hard to put down!

The setting is vividly described, and brings to life the opulence of one of the finest ships ever built!  And despite the fact that you know the ship will sink, it doesn't take away from the intrigue and suspense of the story.  I still felt the heart-pounding tension brought on by the sinking of the ship, and the suspense of not knowing what would happen to the characters.

The characters are well drawn, likeable, and very realistic.  I came to like all of the characters, and was impressed by the solid, natural dialogue throughout the novel.  The romance is sweet, as Amelia is torn between the affections of three men.  I was never quite sure how the love story would turn out, and Tricia does a great job of keeping you guessing until the very end. 

Being familiar with the stories of the Titanic and the prodigal son doesn't detract from this story in any way.  I highly recommend it to all who enjoy solid, well-written Christian historical fiction.  Tricia Goyer is an outstanding author, with an exceptional skill for storytelling.   I look forward to reading more of her books in the future!