Review: A Future Arrived by Phillip Rock

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (February 5, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 0062229354
• Source: Publisher

The final installment of the Passing Bells trilogy begins in the 1930s, the Jazz era ending and a period of uncertainty as the younger generation, born during the great war, embarks upon adulthood.

Rather than continuing with the host of characters readers of the series have grown to love, Rock instead introduces a whole new cast of characters in a younger generation.  While a few of the original characters, like American writer Martin Rilke make an appearance, a great deal of the story focuses on a ten-year span of time with the younger generation.

The historical setting of these novels is incredibly rich. In this installment, Hitler is just beginning to make a voice for himself in Germany. Those who have just survived a war don’t even want to contemplate another battle but it seems imminent.  Additionally, while the characters Rock builds are in general new to the reader, the depth that he adds to each of these characters is commendable. Readers can’t help but grow to love them just as much as their family before them.

While this wasn’t my favorite of the trilogy, mainly due to the new slate of characters, as a whole I did find this series to be incredibly informative and engaging. Additionally, while I would have enjoyed more closure regarding the original characters, I did find the new generation to be an interesting set of individuals. The challenges they faced, including the uncertainty of their future, was far different than the same uncertainty that challenged the generation before them.

Fans of historical fiction will find this series to be incredibly rewarding. Additionally, fans of Downton Abbey desperate for another fix will enjoy this series tremendously. Recommended.

Thank you to TLC Book Tours for providing me the opportunity to review this title. Be sure to check out the tour page for the entire series.