Loyal Son
Published By: Independent Publishing
Release Date: April 13, 2020
Pages: 439
ISBN: 978-1657172319
Genre: Historical Fiction (Mexican/American War)
Overview
In 1846, on the eve of the Mexican-American War, hundreds of Irish-Catholic immigrants, led by John Riley, left the American Army to form the St. Patrick's Battalion in Mexico. *Loyal Son* follows Patrick Ryan, an 18-year-old from County Cork, Ireland, whose family sends him to America to secure land. After losing their savings in the violent anti-Catholic Bible Riots in Philadelphia, Patrick joins the army for the promise of land, hoping to reunite his family. However, his plans unravel in unexpected ways.
"Loyal Son" by Wayne Diehl has garnered positive reviews across various platforms:
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Goodreads: The novel holds a 4.36-star rating based on 11 ratings and 4 reviews. Readers commend its engaging narrative and historical depth. Goodreads
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Amazon: Reviewers praise the book's compelling storyline and rich character development. One reviewer noted, "This book has everything a great book should have...a fascinating story line, interesting and richly drawn characters, a love story set against the backdrop of war, amazing historical context and an incredibly satisfying ending...a must read!" Amazon Readers Reviews
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The Book Commentary: The novel is described as "action-packed and enthralling with strong, elaborately developed characters and enlightening historical details." The review highlights the author's meticulous research and ability to transport readers to the 1846 era. thebookcommentary.com
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Lauren Vela: I loved "Loyal Son" by Wayne Diehl. This historical fiction was meticulously researched and shares great information about the Mexican-American war while telling the story of Patrick, an Irish immigrant. Patrick's story is fascinating as he was part of a group that defected from the US Army in part due to the terrible discrimination he faced at the hands of military leaders and in part due to a sweet love story. I can't wait to read more about Patrick's next adventures and I love that Wayne bases the story in the 1800's, which is a fascinating time in US and Californian history.
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Yecheilyah's Book Reviews: The reviewer appreciates the book's historical accuracy and engaging narrative, stating that it is "action-packed all the way through, historically accurate," and maintains a balance between fun and serious themes. The PBS Blog