Yours Is the Night, (Paperback)

AmandaDykes has an elegant way with words that resonates to your very soul. She is a storyteller of the highest caliber. Her words are sure and true and beautiful, bringing light from the darkness that was war. The author continues to amaze me with her eloquent words to describe a story none of us should forget. A story of faith, selflessness and courage in a battle for freedom. The scene of using fireflies in lanterns so the enemy would not discover the soldiers may seem slight, but the author uses it to show us how God is light and He dispels the darkness. It is told from five unique voices but that just adds perspective and shows how each character grew and was sustained in a devastating period of history. Mira is dubbed The Angel of the Argonne by the soldiers who hear her singing in the night: It was the only thing I had to give. To bring a small bit of life to a lifeless place. It is a rich story of God prevailing, of honor for the fallen and of hope in the future. I am awestruck by the words in this book. It is a fitting tribute to those who fought in the Great War. Beyond 5 stars for me. *I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

Sometimes there's a dark so thick you just know that the God who made light with His own two hands with just His words is going to plunge right into that dark to find you. You remember that, Mr. Matthew." This book. This is a book I've wanted since I first heard about it because the author has earned her place as an auto-buy author for me. If you're looking forward to this one, and maybe, just maybe, wondering if the story can possibly live up to the hype in your mind, let me relieve you by saying Yours is the Night is, at the same time, all that we've anticipated and far more. That heart-tugging prologue lets us know that there's an emotional ending coming. But the journey--the JOURNEY is worth the tears. And isn't that just like life. In that poetic way of hers, Amanda D. introduces you to the Seventeenth Band. Matthew, Jasper, Henry, George (hilarious George)...and Mira too, because she certainly earns her place in their band. As you walk with them in France, you find yourself in those WWI trenches. In a mysterious forest haunted by song. In the midst of hope and light to combat the night. To live with you in the night. I was, of course, shedding tears by the end, but those tears were born from acknowledgement of the sacrifice others made long ago--and still make today. This isn't a story to be missed or skimmed. This is one to savor, line by line. And the little nuggets sprinkled in from her other two novels are so fun! (Side note: I'd love to be a fly on the wall while the author writes because, man, does she have a talent that must be intuitive and God-given as much as attained through practice and study. I'm in awe.) *For transparency's sake, I'll tell you I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. But all this gushing is absolutely my own opinion!)