Lindsey Davis's historical novel, REBELS AND TRAITORS, explores the British Civil War from both Royalist and Parliament points of view, showing readers its impact on both sides and on the rich, poor and those that fall somewhere in between. The prologue details the execution of Charles I in flowing prose, and then Davis jumps back 15 years to 1634 to introduce one of her two main protagonists. Gideon Jukes works as an apprentice in a print shop, has a popular older brother, a father in the grocery trade and a mother well-known for her expert cooking. But Jukes hasn't quite found his own place. He gets married but more because he feels he has to than because of love and flees to join the army on the side of Parliament at the first opportunity.

Juliana Carlill's only friend in the world is an elderly guardian, Mr. Gadd who is helping her to find a husband so she will have some security. Spirited and intelligent but naïve when it comes to men and marriage, Juliana is chosen by Orlando Lovell rather than her choosing Lovell as a husband. Lovell, who fights on the side of the Royalists, has returned from fighting on the continent and doesn't do anything unless it has a benefit to him. And having a wife will definitely prove beneficial. But Lovell's plans take him into fighting for long periods and into espionage for even longer periods, leaving Juliana with shattered dreams of cozy matrimony and to fend for herself in the raising of their two children.

REBELS AND TRAITORS has a romantic element as well, but the two lovers don't meet until 2/3 of the way through the book. Davis fleshes out her characters well, giving readers insight into how they coped with war but shedding light on their personalities and aspects of daily life as well. and the portions of the book dealing directly with their lives are compelling and well-written. She has clearly done her research on the period, but unfortunately the story bogs down with too much detail and introducing numerous participants in the war on both sides with which the reader has a hard time keeping track. For readers who want to know more about this period and are willing to wade through the minutiae to ferret out the wonderful story, it's worth the read. For readers who want a fast-paced story that skims along, I'd have to recommend you pass on this one. Davis is well-known for her Marcus Didius Falco mystery series and her other stand-alone novel, The Course of Honour as well.