My rating: 4.5/5
Yours Is the Night by Amanda Dykes is a breathtaking story rich with themes of hope, self-discovery, and love. This is the first novel I have read by Dykes and I am so pleasantly delighted by her work. This page-turning novel encompasses the power of ambition and faith.
Yours Is the Night is a character driven story with five points of view that tell this inspiring story. Set during World War I during a time span of four years, 1914-1918, the novel opens with the introduction of the two protagonists of the story Matthew Petticrew and Mireilles. While fighting in the gruesome war as a member of the American Expeditionary Forces, Matthew, along with fellow POV’s of the story and minor characters, George Piccadilly and Henry Mueller, inadvertently stumble upon a melodious voice singing in the woods. Though the identity of the voice is hidden, the angelic sound immediately pulls on the heart of Matthew and stirs within him a longing for what he has never had, true love. Eventually, German forces drive them deeper in the woods, and they discover a secluded small house. They discover Mireilles is the occupant of the house and is alone with no food and other resources. They decide to help her escape before the onslaught of the German army, and escort her on a journey to Paris to find family. During the journey, Matthew discovers that she embodies a character of strength, courage, and kindness that endears himself to her. He also eventually discovers that she is the owner of the melodic voice he previously heard, which catapulted his heart to adulation. Throughout this journey, they each obtain a hope that becomes a beacon of light in their past darknesses and achieve a sense of self-discovery that provides them with purpose.
“Because sure, there was plenty to be afraid of. Plenty of real, awful things. But maybe, after all, it wasn’t about the presence of danger, but the presence of a God who would plunge right into it beside you” (Matthew, Yours Is the Night).
Amanda Dykes is a skillful writer, whose prose is beautifully expressed with a poetic tone. The narrative includes magnificently developed characters within a noteworthy plot. Christian faith content was eloquently included in the story, as the characters were believers in Christ who were depicted praying and maturing in their faith. The resounding message of hope resonated thoroughly in the plot, as the author was able to deftly capture this idea within the backdrop of a grueling war that oozed with death and destruction. This will certainly not be the last novel that I read from the author. I highly recommend this book.
