On Wings of Devotion - Review

On Wings of Devotion (Codebreakers, # 2)

By: Roseanna M White

Publication: January 7th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

400 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Adult

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

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Goodreads description--All of England thinks Phillip Camden a monster--a man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But as nurse Arabelle Denler watches the so-dubbed "Black Heart" every day, she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. And when their paths twist together and he declares himself her new protector, she realizes she has her own role to play in his healing.

Phillip Camden would have preferred to die that day with his squadron rather than be recruited to the Admiralty's codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved. What comes as a shock is the reborn desire to truly live that Arabelle inspires in him.

But when an old acquaintance shows up and seems set on using him in a plot that has the codebreakers of Room 40 in a frenzy, new affections are put to the test.

I enjoyed The Number of Love, but it was a little slow to get going for me. The romance was atypical due to a main female character that is so mathematical and logic-focused. So even though I liked it, I wasn't sure I was going to continue the series, but the opportunity to get Camden's story pulled me in. And I'm so glad that I did.

Normally I find myself connecting to the male characters in books a little easier than the female characters. Or maybe the better way to say that is that I find myself more critical of the female characters. Sometimes that's simply the difference of the female typically being the narrator. Regardless, I absolutely loved Ara. She is the exact type of character I love to root for. While I couldn't fathom her agreement to marry without love, I understood her motivation to create a stable family so she wouldn't be alone. What I loved most about her was her continued choice to do the right and good thing despite how it might affect her personally. I appreciated the personal struggles that she worked to overcome. Like Margot, Ara has a strong relationship with God, and she follows the inclinations that He gives her.

Oh Camden. So much that he had to work through. I almost feel like I need to re-read this book now that I know his story. He came from such a dark place. Ara is sure that God is working on Camden--wearing him down and calling him back to Himself. I don't want to say too much because his story is so essential to the twists and turns which would be spoilers to reveal.

Unlike Das Gespenst from The Number of Love, Denzille's story was more interesting. I appreciated that her pieces weren't completely hidden from the reader. It's frustrating enough to jump from the main characters to a side story so at least it was easier to see how she fit into the overall story.

Favorite quotes:

-If you want to be healed, He’d whispered into her heart when she was around Cassandra’s age, then heal others.

-“I don’t think God has much to do with this particular situation.” Jeremy wasn’t fazed. He just turned to watch for whatever auto might appear through the bare-limbed trees lining their drive. “Your ignorance is showing, brother. God has much to do with everything.”

-“Avoid Him as you may, I daresay even you have heard the story in the Gospels of the rich young ruler and how difficult it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”“Always found it absurd. If everyone goes about giving away all they have—”“He does not ask everyone to give all they have. But if He does, are we willing? Truly willing?” She shook her head. “Whatever He asks of us, whether it be a fortune or a pittance or our time or our devotion, we can be sure it will be painful. Cutting out what stands between us and God always is. But we can also trust that in the giving, we’ll gain something far more precious.”

-“You know it’s true. You know you need Him.” Blast, but he could drown in those eyes. “I need you.” She shook her head. “Don’t put that responsibility on me. I’ll fail you— people cannot help but fail. Not to mention . . .” She narrowed those eternal eyes at him. “How exactly can you claim you care nothing for matters of faith if they’re part of what you stand here claiming to love about me?”

-“Perhaps you should instead praise Him for using the cruelest of circumstances to achieve the brightest of miracles.”

On Wings of Devotion was more enjoyable in every way than I expected. I found myself wanting to seek out other books written by Roseanna M White which is one of the best compliments I can give On Wings of Devotion. I'm giving this 4 Stars, and I'm excited about the final book in the series to come. Have you read On Wings of Devotion? What did you think? Let me know!