Review Detail

What worked:
Jack Broom is an endearing character who balances doing his apothecary duties for Old Mother Cobb with avoiding her beatings for being late or messing up. He scrapes together any money he has to buy medical books as he dreams of becoming a surgeon’s apprentice. He’s treated rudely by the king’s guard and suspects he’s being spied on. He tries to survive his difficulties as best he can and finally finds a friend in a girl named Alice. He’s willing to help those who need it but discovers he often needs help from others.
Jack is an orphan and doesn’t remember anything about his parents. The “aunt” he’s living with doesn’t seem to be a loving relative so her relationship to Jack is unclear. These questions force readers to speculate about Jack’s true story so the idea that he might be a lost son from nobility is very possible. He eventually realizes he may be able to learn answers about his past if he can somehow sneak into the Tower. However, there are people in the Tower searching for Jack and he doesn’t understand why. He must weigh the danger from the threats seeking him out with his desire to understand his past.
The story is set in the 1400s and the author includes numerous details from that time period. Old Mother Cobb creates remedies from herbs but Jack knows they probably don’t do much to cure any ailments. He studies the latest medical treatments using his books which include blood-letting with leeches to heal diseases. Clothing is handmade from wool and Jack mostly moves by foot around the city. King Richard III is ruling England but his claim to the throne may be illegitimate. This leads to the Cousins War, or the War of the Roses, which is a major part of the book. An epilogue and the author’s note at the end will answer any lingering questions and provide historical context to the story.
What didn’t work as well:
Clues are left regarding what’s happening in the plot but astute readers will probably be able to easily figure everything out. The synopsis lets readers know Jack will be misidentified and chased by unknown assailants but the mystery isn’t hard to foresee. The author’s twist adds some intrigue to Jack’s character but readers will have an inkling about that too.
The final verdict:
Jack’s kind, humble character is at the center of a historical adventure. There’s enough danger and drama to satisfy everyone with mystery and a suspenseful climax to wrap things up. I recommend you give this book a shot.