Tag: genre: historical fiction

• Book Review: “Under a Painted Sky” by Stacey Lee

  Posted at 6:15 am by Laura, on May 11, 2015

  Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

  Publisher: Putnam
  Published: March 2015
  Genre: young adult, historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780399168031
  Goodreads: 4.09
  Rating: ★★★★★

  Missouri, 1849: Samantha dreams of moving back to New York to be a professional musician—not an easy thing if you’re a girl, and harder still if you’re Chinese. But a tragic accident dashes any hopes of fulfilling her dream, and instead, leaves her fearing for her life. With the help of a runaway slave named Annamae, Samantha flees town for the unknown frontier. But life on the Oregon Trail is unsafe for two girls, so they disguise themselves as Sammy and Andy, two boys headed for the California gold rush. Sammy and Andy forge a powerful bond as they each search for a link to their past, and struggle to avoid any unwanted attention. But when they cross paths with a band of cowboys, the light-hearted troupe turn out to be unexpected allies. With the law closing in on them and new setbacks coming each day, the girls quickly learn that there are not many places to hide on the open trail.

  If Samantha just listened to her father’s plan about moving to California, then tragedy would not have left her an orphan — or so she believes. Over the course of one night, Samantha murders a man and is aided by slave Annamae to disguise as boys and flee Missouri. A Chinese girl and runaway slave aren’t easy to hide, so they quickly forge a bond with three cowboys and claim to be heading to California for the gold rush. But these girls-turned-boys, now Sammy and Andy, find they’ve got more to worry about than prices on their heads. The Oregon Trail is no walk in the park, and danger can strike at any moment on the open prairie.

  Maybe what matters is not so much the path as who walks beside you.

  When I first saw this book on a list of to-watch reads, I latched on immediately to three things: YA historical fiction, west/Oregon Trail, and diverse protagonists. A year ago I said I wanted more historical fiction in YA, more Western themes (even mentioned the Oregon Trail!), more pioneers, more POC as protagonists. And guess what? This book has it. So if you’re looking for something fresh and unique that your mind will cling to long after you finish the book, you want to pick this one up. There’s not enough historical fiction in the YA category, and everyone loves a good adventure. Plus, this troupe has a Chinese girl (and her philosophy really plays a role in the story), a black girl (whose faith is so steadfast, it makes me weep), two white Texans (who are so very American it cracks me up), and one Mexican (whose story I wanted to hear more of). You will fall in love. Also, music. Music and storytelling are massive components to this book.

  If eyes left footprints, this man’s face would be worn as a welcome mat.

  At first I wondered how Sammy could pull off being a guy. She and Andy are girls with defining feminine features, and Chinese are typically built thinner anyway. The likelihood people could see through their disguise was pretty high, which is why it was so great the three cowboys — Cay, West, and Peety — took them under their wing without asking too many questions. With those guys by their side, teaching them how to ride, shoot, and use rope, Sammy and Andy could take on the whole Oregon Trail and any outlaws they’d stumble across. With each passing day, the guys open up to them, and Sammy noticeably relaxes from a fearful girl dressed as a guy, to a strong-willed girl stretching her wings and independence.

  They say time freezes, but I’ve never experienced it until now. I stay like that, lost in his eyes for that eternal moment, and then the dawn breaks, and we are Sammy and West again, boys on the trail.

  About a third into the book you begin to wonder if the cowboys have caught on to the girls’ disguises. It’s most visible in West’s demeanor around Sammy. He’s an artistic, tortured, quiet soul, and it speaks to Sammy’s philosophical, musical side. They dance around each other. After several life-threatening events, Sammy’s certain West knows, but at this point in the trail she’s not sure what to believe. The romance is not a major component to the story, yet it’s fraught with emotional turmoil and tension and confusion. It’s a difficult situation, pretending to be someone you’re not, when the people who’ve helped you from the beginning have been nothing but kind, generous, and honest. Truly, all the relationships, platonic or otherwise, were so well-written and believable I can’t help but hope their journey continues beautifully.

  It is no easy thing, living under the weight of public scrutiny day after day.

  Sammy and Andy are the stars of this book. Forced together under difficult circumstances, a blessing to the other, they grow and bond like no other new friendship I’ve seen in any other book. They’re torn over their paths to freedom: Sammy to California to find the man who was going to help her and her father, Andy to an unmarked, potentially mythical falls, where she would meet her runaway brother. As time passes and the necessity to stay linked to the cowboys becomes apparent, the girls are torn between continuing on those separate journeys or linking them together. It’s incredibly touching, and made doubly so by their shared and yet vastly different life experiences. Sammy’s singled out because she’s Chinese, a foreigner, a marvel to some and scum to others. Andy is singled out — or invisible — because she’s black, a slave girl with a brand on her arm, with no one to believe she’s good and clean and human. They bond over their otherness, and they learn from their differences. And what’s even more beautiful is that West, Peety, and Cay don’t give a lick what these girls (boys?) look like, just that they do their part on the trail.

  “Dig in for a second, boys,” breathes Cay. “My eyeballs are full.”

  This is a story about friendship and sacrifice, compassion and humanity, philosophy and faith, music and art, danger and bravery, all on the stunning backdrop of the Oregon Trail.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 3 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: historical fiction, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Authors in the Flesh: Jennifer Niven, Trisha Leaver, Sharon Biggs Waller, & more!

  Posted at 6:15 am by Laura, on May 6, 2015

  In the last week of April, I met five spectacular authors. Jennifer Niven (All the Bright Places), Sharon Biggs Waller (A Mad, Wicked Folly), Trisha Leaver (The Secrets We Keep), Shannon Lee Alexander (Love and Other Unknown Variables), and Lisa Aldin (One of the Guys) came to the bookstore for signings.

  

  I told Niven I was so excited to meet her that I wanted to apologize if I fangirl-screamed. When she walked through the store doors, we grabbed arms, squealed, and hugged. Her book chat with readers went really well, and the signing was packed. She signed books, chatted with each person for several minutes, took selfies with everyone, had readers sign her copy of her book, and even offered advice or networked with readers deeply moved by the book or bloggers looking to make more contacts. Bless her heart, she was still signing books and talking to readers after the store had closed. If Niven is going to your area, you must meet her. She’s a beautiful person, inside and out!

  

  Shannon, Sharon, Trisha, and Lisa — sorry for the blur!

  Later that week, the store had a Teen Author Panel, with all but one author from Indiana. I was most excited to meet Waller, as she and I have been chatting about books, BBC TV, history, and all things Anglophile since A Mad, Wicked Folly came out. I tapped her on the shoulder, and mid-conversation she turned around and gave me a hug. “You’re real!” Leaver was incredibly helpful to me, as well, dispensing advice and suggestions regarding editors she knows at various imprints. Alexander and Aldin are regular customers at the bookstore, so it was really neat to see them acting as authors, mini-celebrities, and watching them enjoy the discussion. My favorite question of the night was, “If you could be any character from any book, who would you be and why?” (asked by Mary Claire @ Real Rad Reads) and Alexander and Waller had their immediate responses: “Cath, cause Levi” (Alexander), and “Claire, cause Jamie” (Waller). Haha!

  

  Have you read any of these books or met any of these authors? Share your story!

  Posted in Authors in the Flesh, books | 0 Comments | Tagged authors, books, genre: contemporary, genre: historical fiction, genre: romance, genre: young adult, personal, signings

• Book Review: “The Silver Witch” by Paula Brackston (ARC)

  Posted at 6:55 am by Laura, on April 20, 2015

  The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston

  Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
  Publishing Date: April 21
  Genre: adult fiction, historical, fantasy
  ISBN: 9781250028792
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★

  A year after her husband’s sudden death, ceramic artist Tilda Fordwells finally moves into the secluded Welsh cottage that was to be their new home. She hopes that the tranquil surroundings will help ease her grief, and lessen her disturbing visions of Mat’s death. Instead, the lake in the valley below her cottage seems to spark something dormant in her – a sensitivity, and a power of some sort. Animals are drawn to her, electricity shorts out when she’s near, and strangest of all, she sees a new vision; a boatful of ancient people approaching her across the water.

  On this same lake in Celtic times lived Seren, a witch and shaman. She was respected but feared, kept separate from the community for her strange looks. When a vision came to her of the Prince amid a nest of vipers she warned of betrayal from one of his own. Prince Brynach both loved and revered her, but could not believe someone close to him wished him harm, even as the danger grew.

  In her own time, Tilda’s grief begins to fade beside her newfound powers and a fresh love. When she explores the lake’s ancient magic and her own she discovers Seren, the woman in her vision of the boat. Their two lives strangely mirror each others, suggesting a strong connection between the women. As Tilda comes under threat from a dark power, one reminiscent of Seren’s prophecy, she must rely on Seren and ancient magic if death and disaster are not to shatter her life once more.

  Tilda didn’t mean to become a recluse when she moved into the tiny Welsh cottage by the lake. But because she was supposed to share this time with her husband, who died a year ago in a car accident, she’s finding it hard to connect to the new home and people. She stumbles across an archeological dig while out on a run, and is drawn to it by more than simple fascination — she senses a dark power, and strange things begin to happen in her new surroundings. She sees a woman on a boat, a woman as pale and silvery as herself, a woman named Seren who was a shaman of the area around 920 AD, and Seren’s history is Tilda’s future.

  I enjoyed The Winter Witch so much that I wanted to read anything else set in Wales that Brackston wrote. Though magical realism isn’t my thing, I thought I’d give this part-contemporary part-historical novel a try. It’s not what I expected, but I did enjoy it.

  The historical storyline worked for me in some ways and not so much in others. What worked included the pre-Anglo-Saxon and Viking invasion, when Christianity was new and people still embraced aspects of the Old Ways. Magic is a part of life, and people sought shamans for visions, advice, and healing. Seren’s role in the royal court of this small Welsh area is an honorable one. I enjoyed the dynamics and her romantic storyline and her deep love of nature and the connection she had with the water horse in the lake. But aspects of what I just stated I enjoyed were also things that didn’t quite work for me. I liked the romantic storyline, but as a contemporary reader I had difficulty accepting her affair with the prince while he was married to the princess. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the princess and think Seren a little selfish. The water horse was a bit prevalent in this, too, rather than an occasional sighting of a mythical creature. Hold back — the magical realism is showing.

  The contemporary storyline began a bit slowly, and I was quite frustrated with Tilda at first. But she grows on the reader, aspects of her personality waking up and flourishing. It’s as if she’s waking up from her grief, so in the end I enjoyed her character growth immensely. The way she handles coming to terms with her newfangled magical power was amusing and awesome, as well. Her interest in the history of the area, and how she makes logical connections between now and then, was incredibly enjoyable. I loved her interactions with the archeologists, and her time with Dylan made me smile. But again, as her power grew, it stepped beyond what I was expected and entered into magical realism. I have so much difficulty with that.

  Throughout this plot, we’re trying to figure out what happened to Seren, how she’s connected to Tilda, and what exactly is buried in the unearthed grave. The who, what, when, where, and whys of it all drive the story. I had so many guesses from the beginning, but all of them were completely wrong. But by the time it was revealed (about 80% into the book — great timing!), it all made complete sense and clicked into place. Of all the aspects of the story, it was this I was most interested in: connecting the past and present through this grave.

  The Winter Witch was more earth-based magic (it’s all in the plants and winds and animals, no spells or incantations or brews or mythical creatures) with a very realistic historical storyline (a mute marries a drover). I wanted to know more about Seren than Tilda, or at least see this as two separate books rather than two narratives in one. The book was enjoyable, and perfect for someone with a higher tolerance for magical realism.

  Thank you, NetGalley, for providing this book from Thomas Dunne Books for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, genre: fantasy, genre: fiction, genre: historical fiction, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke” by Anne Blankman (ARC)

  Posted at 7:15 am by Laura, on April 15, 2015

  Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke by Anne Blankman

  Publisher: Balzer + Bray
  Publishing Date: April 21
  Genre: young adult, historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780062278845
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★★

  The girl known as Gretchen Whitestone has a secret: She used to be part of Adolf Hitler’s inner circle. More than a year after she made an enemy of her old family friend and fled Munich, she lives with a kindly English family, posing as an ordinary German immigrant, and is preparing to graduate from high school. Her love, Daniel Cohen, is a reporter in town. For the first time in her life, Gretchen is content.

  But then, Daniel gets a telegram that sends him back to Germany, and Gretchen’s world turns upside-down. And when she receives word that Daniel is wanted for murder, she has to face the danger she thought she’d escaped-and return to her homeland.

  Gretchen must do everything she can to avoid capture and recognition, even though saving Daniel will mean consorting with her former friends, the Nazi elite. And as they work to clear Daniel’s name, Gretchen and Daniel discover a deadly conspiracy stretching from the slums of Berlin to the Reichstag itself. Can they dig up the explosive truth and get out in time-or will Hitler discover them first?

  Gretchen and Daniel managed to escape Germany and start new lives in Oxford. She lives with the Whitestones, the family of the doctor who helped her discover Reinhardt and Hitler’s psychological similarities, and attends school and dreams of going to university. Daniel, however, lives a bit unhappily working as a reporter for a society paper. Their newly constructed identities are shattered when Daniel receives a telegram about his family back in Germany. While he’s there, Gretchen hears on the wireless that Daniel’s wanted for murder in Berlin. Knowing he’s trapped, Gretchen races back to Germany to find Daniel, clear his name, and flee before Hitler discovers she’s back. Clearing Daniel’s name takes longer than Gretchen anticipated, and Hitler is days away from finding her. The Reichstag fire is tied to Daniel, and it takes working with mob rings to bring down Hitler and escape unscathed.

  If you haven’t read Prisoner of Night and Fog yet, do so now. This is a duology, very intense and historically revealing.

  While Prisoner exposes the reader to the Nazi state of mind (which is a complete mind-bender of its own, almost like experiencing Stockholm Syndrome) and reveals the psychological aspects of Hitler’s character, Conspiracy exposes the reader to historical events and conspiracies that lead up to Hitler’s dictatorship and WWII. First of all, mob rings? Who knew?! Right — they’re not really mobsters or gangsters, they have a strict code of honor and no-violence policy — but these underground clubs were targeted by Hitler. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. The messy links between politics, money, and business work in Gretchen and Daniel’s favor, and Gretchen needs to use what she’s learned about psychology from Dr. Whitestone and what she knows about Hitler in order to stay one step ahead and make it out of Germany (again) alive.

  Gretchen and Daniel run into family and friends — or, in Gretchen’s case, old friends that are now dangerous enemies — and the reaction to their relationship is across the board. Hitler’s propaganda is rooting, and National Socialists (Nazis) are even more dangerous and impulsive while everyone else is either headstrong and determined to fight against it (and eventually die for it) or frightened (so they follow the crowd to blend in, or are so scared they’re blocking it out and pretending it’s not happening). Germany is not a good place, and any one of their friends or foes could turn them in at any time. It’s heart racing, blood pounding, breathless fear from beginning to end. I don’t know how anyone could have lived like that on a daily basis for years on end.

  Because of the tension and the world crumbling to pieces, Gretchen and Daniel try to reconcile their feelings for one another with the reality of their situation. It’s very likely they’ll die at any time, so why discuss the future? Or, if they make it out alive, how can they discuss their future when Gretchen was happy in England and Daniel wasn’t? They’re both young with full lives ahead of them (hopefully), so they’re concerned their love for one another is just emotion without reason. I should note their relationship is not the forefront of the story — it’s not like they sit around and twiddle their thumbs and discuss whether or not to stay together — but their confusion mixed with their without-question race to defend and save one another feels deep and genuine. It’s unconditional. It doesn’t matter what happens after this is over, because here and now they’re fighting for one another, for the other’s safety, for freedom, to expose Hitler and his evil plans. Instinct kicks in, and that’s what drives the story. Again, I don’t know how anyone could have lived like that.

  I’m curious about 1930s Europe now. I want to learn more about pre-WWII Germany. I want to see the chain of events domino from WWI on. It’s dark and fascinating and not really explored in classrooms or in literature. Blankman is a phenomenal writer who gives us such unique perspectives on history. She deserves awards. All of them.

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Balzer + Bray for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: fiction, genre: historical fiction, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “The Wondrous and the Wicked” by Page Morgan (ARC)

  Posted at 6:30 am by Laura, on April 8, 2015

  The Wondrous and the Wicked by Page Morgan

  Publisher: Delacorte
  Publishing Date: April 14
  Genre: young adult, fantasy, gothic
  ISBN: 9780385743150
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★★

  Since the Waverlys arrived in Paris, the streets have grown more fearsome by the day. As Ingrid learns to master her lectrux gift, she must watch Axia’s power grow strong enough to extend beyond her Underneath hive. By all indications, the fallen angel’s Harvest is near-and the timing couldn’t be worse.

  Targeted by vengeful gargoyles, Gabby has been exiled to London for her own protection. Meanwhile, the gargoyle castes are in disarray, divided between those who want Luc to lead them and those who resent him and his fondness for humans. The Alliance is crumbling from the inside as well, its members turning against one another, and possibly against the Waverlys, too.

  Axia has promised that the world will burn. And now, unable to trust the Alliance, separated from Luc, Gabby, and her twin, Grayson, Ingrid is left to face the demon uprising alone.

  Ingrid is left in Paris with a different gargoyle presiding over her home. Her brother, Grayson, seems to have disappeared, when he’s actually learning more about demon dust with Vander in order to fight off his hellhound instincts. Gabby is trapped in London with Rory, Nolan’s cousin, and she insists on training to become an Alliance member, no matter what Nolan says. Meanwhile, Luc is separated from the Waverly family, and a civil war is approaching the Dispossessed, one that decides whether Luc should become their leader. But Axia’s Harvest could happen any day now, and Ingrid’s life — her blood — is at stake. But who can anyone trust? The Alliance, with their oath to slay demons? The Dispossessed, with their curse to protect humans? Or the Diacrypta, with their newfangled technology that may prove to save them all?

  Okay, so, the publisher summary makes it sound like Ingrid is all alone, the poor dear. What is she to do? And while my summary is a bit jumbled, I can’t say too much without revealing the entire plot. But what is true about both of these summations is that Ingrid, Gabby, Grayson, and Luc all share equal page time with their voices and perspectives, weaving together seemingly dissimilar parts of the story into one complex and epic plot.

  Trust me. It will all make sense.

  That’s the thing about Morgan’s writing. With The Beautiful and the Cursed, we had several perspectives but it was primarily on Ingrid and Luc. As the plot thickened in The Lovely and the Lost, secondary characters had more to tell the Waverlys and Luc. And now, they all work together to bring down Axia and find their way to a happy ending. That’s not to say this ends everything all neat and tidy (for a moment, there, the Dispossessed does have an elder, a leader, but by the end that’s up for debate — plus, Gabby’s future and Vander’s future and basically all of Paris and these fantastical orders), but it certainly leaves you in an expected but very satisfying place.

  I loved every single character in this book, bad and good and somewhere in between. The places the plot takes them matches their personality and decision-making and the way everything came together. Gabby’s stubbornness felt more like bravery and less like snobbery, and that’s a major character growth. Ingrid was always determined to do what she could to save those she loved, and thank goodness she used more thoughtful reasoning behind her actions in this book than in previous — more growth there. Luc point-blank gave up trying to govern himself. By being more human, he’s able to accomplish so much more — and his support from Marco was a welcome sight. Grayson was just an interesting character all around. We only knew him as a brother in book 1, and a struggling half-demon in book 2, so getting into his mind and understanding his thought process, motivation, and emotional turmoil was very interesting and eye-opening. It makes his big moment really hit you in the gut, too.

  Though the historical aspect may appear simply as a backdrop for the story (that maybe this could take place at any time), it’s not. Morgan chose this time frame meticulously. It all comes down to the blood. All those scientific studies Vander worked on in the previous books help shed light to the situation in this one, and blood transfusions is one of them. Blood transfusions were dangerous in this time, yet new and fascinating and gross and taboo. That’s why Dracula was oddly enjoyable for readers when it first came out. Toss in the science versus religion conversation and this book goes well with that. Gargoyles are placed on cathedrals to keep the demons out. In this book, that’s true too, but they keep the humans within holy places and homes safe.

  So who wins this war in science versus religion? Is it even a science versus religion topic? Is it about race or social class? Is it about the human condition?

  I love this trilogy. It’s so unique, and Gothic, and fantastical, and deserves so much attention! Thank you for the wondrous journey, Morgan!

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Delacorte for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: fantasy, genre: gothic, genre: historical fiction, genre: paranormal, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “At the Water’s Edge” by Sara Gruen (ARC)

  Posted at 6:15 am by Laura, on March 17, 2015

  At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen

  Publisher: Spiegel & Grau
  Publishing Date: March 31
  Genre: historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780385523233
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★★

  After embarrassing themselves at the social event of the year in high society Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve of 1942, Maddie and Ellis Hyde are cut off financially by Ellis’s father, a former army Colonel who is already embarrassed by his son’s inability to serve in WWII due to his being colorblind. To Maddie’s horror, Ellis decides that the only way to regain his father’s favor is to succeed in a venture his father attempted and very publicly failed at: he will hunt the famous Loch Ness monster and when he finds it he will restore his father’s name and return to his father’s good graces (and pocketbook). Joined by their friend Hank, a wealthy socialite, the three make their way to Scotland in the midst of war. Each day the two men go off to hunt the monster, while another monster, Hitler, is devastating Europe. And Maddie, now alone in a foreign country, must begin to figure out who she is and what she wants. The novel tells of Maddie’s social awakening: to the harsh realities of life, to the beauties of nature, to a connection with forces larger than herself, to female friendship, and finally, to love.

  Maddie, Ellis, and Hank just celebrated the stroke of midnight and welcomed in 1945 when the men decided that this year, in two weeks’ time, they’ll finally set off to Scotland and find the Loch Ness monster. Maddie laughs, and doesn’t take them seriously. There’s a war going on, for crying out loud! But when they’re sober once more — and Ellis’s parents toss him and Maddie out the door — Maddie comes to find these two foolish men are serious about this adventure. When they arrive in Scotland, Maddie tries to make the best of their situation by befriending Anna and Meg, the two girls who help run the inn, with their daily tasks and getting to know the town when it’s not ravaged by air raids. But as time passes, and Hank and Ellis are no sooner to gathering evidence of Nessie’s existence, Maddie must make a life-changing decision to save herself or fall victim once more to the men’s plots.

  This blows Water for Elephants out of, well, the water. I think this may be Gruen’s best book yet.

  When I first picked this up, I was expecting a jolly quest for the Loch Ness monster darkened by the war only slightly with punctuated air raids and all that. Oh, no. No no no, this is a very deep, introspective novel, about one woman and her personal awakening while her deceiving husband and his charismatic friend dash off God-knows-where, mindless and heartless about the hardships right in front of their eyes.

  Maddie, though without asking for pity, has had the kind of rough life only a pampered rich girl can receive: a cold father, a narcissistic and hysterical mother, no girl friends, and essentially no money if she doesn’t stay in her father’s good graces. She can’t go to college, her mother insists she gets plastic surgery, or at the least starve herself to be “thin and beautiful,” and so her life is an endless cycle of sleeping till noon, stumble down lavish staircases for dinner, and party all night. A doctor has even diagnosed her with a nervous disorder, and prescribes pills she doesn’t take and encourages her to abstain from physical activity of any kind.

  You can’t help but fall in love with her, because once she sets sail to Scotland with husband Ellis and friend Hank on their ridiculous adventure to prove Nessie is real, she’s awakened to the war, her sham of a marriage, her lack of female friendships, how utterly useless she’s become. Once in Scotland, she notices Ellis’s drug addiction and alcoholism, the way he treats her like she’s someone to be locked up. Hank distracts Ellis by taking him away for longer visits to the Loch, and Maddie finds solace in working with the other women at the inn, Anna and Meg — who, by the way, are absolutely awesome. Maddie, with Meg and Anna’s assistance and the sheer reality of the war above their heads, grows and stretches her legs and becomes who she was meant to be, who she wants to be. It’s beautiful. And it’s written entirely without selfishness. It’s like watching a naive, sheltered child grow into a determined and strong young woman. Amazing what war can do.

  There’s so much in this novel, beyond Maddie and her growth. You get a good peek into early/mid twentieth-century psychology, the effect WWII had on Americans versus Europeans, just how much class systems still mattered then, the effect news on the radio had on the populace, just how important it was to have a gas mask at all times. It’s not another Scotland story, another Loch Ness romp. It’s a very thorough examination of the war just before the end.

  And also, Angus.

  These fantastic men need to stop cropping up in literature and convincing me to move across the pond. And by “these” I mean Jamie, Red, and now Angus.

  This book is astounding. You really get into the mind of the character in her everyday life, and I absolutely adore that. I’m sad it had to end — I enjoyed befriending Maddie.

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Spiegel & Grau for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 1 Comment | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: historical fiction, genre: romance, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Drums of Autumn” by Diana Gabaldon

  Posted at 6:15 am by Laura, on March 8, 2015

  Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon

  Publisher: Dell
  Published: 1996
  Genre: historical fiction, fantasy, romance, adventure
  ISBN: 9780440224259
  Goodreads: 4.33
  Rating: ★★★★★

  Brianna has made a disturbing discovery that sends her to the stone circle and a terrifying leap into the unknown. In search of her mother and the father she has never met, she is risking her own future to try to change history…and to save their lives. But as Brianna plunges into an uncharted wilderness, a heartbreaking encounter may strand her forever in the past…or root her in the place she should be, where her heart and soul belong…

  Claire and Jamie travel from Jamie’s aunt’s plantation in the South upriver to the Carolinas, where Jamie builds a homestead on a vast expanse of land. As his men from the prison years begin to settle, so too does Claire into her medicinal routines. Young Ian has a way with the Native Americans, and while times are by no means easy or peaceful, the Frasers are content for the first time in years. Meanwhile, Brianna and Roger continue their research to find out whether Claire reunited with Jamie, and a discovery from a newspaper clipping dating 1776 proves Claire and Jamie were reunited, but something terrible will happen to them. Brianna takes it upon herself to reunite with her mother, meet her biological father, and keep her heart in one place in time.

  SPOILER ALERT
  Events pertaining to Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, and Voyager are within this review.
  SPOILER ALERT

  Reading Gabaldon is an extreme time commitment. When I began this book (late October!), I had a lot going on in my life, and so I would only read maybe ten pages a night. Not even a full chapter. Or even a full scene! But despite how long it took to finish, I can say without a doubt that this is, thus far, my second favorite of the series (first being Outlander, of course).

  It’s also the most unique of the four I’ve read. Drums delves into multiple points of view across time, such as Jamie and Claire building a home in the Carolinas, and Roger and Brianna looking for ways to connect back to Claire. So much happened in this book — homelessness, poverty, plantations and slavery, encounters / fights / friendships with Indians, time travel, love, pregnancy, misunderstandings, illness, reconciliation — that it might be best if I summarize character growth instead of plot.

  Jamie. He’s running a farm, just like he wanted to do at Lallybroch, without a price on his head. He’s relaxed and gentle, while still maintaining a very political, skeptical mindset. We also get to see the fatherly side of him, his protectiveness over the younger generation and how it’s different from what he shows with Claire. I was happy to see him this way. He’s still that adventurous, laughing, fierce warrior Claire met in Outlander, but in a much calmer, settled way. Like a sigh.

  Claire. She manages to be a woman of her original time as well as a woman in history. She adapts easily to the culture (apart from the slavery) and manages to hide her differences very well now. It’s interesting seeing the Native Americans’ reaction to her healing powers. Word spreads about her talent, and the settlers of the area, as well as the Indians, see her as a cross between a good witch and a healer. The lore of the area is like that of Scotland, only with a different sort of superstition. It was neat watching her navigate that territory.

  Young Ian. He always longed for adventure, to be just like Uncle Jamie while living in Scotland, that he adapts very well to living on Fraser’s Ridge. Like his uncle, he has a knack for languages and a natural charisma. He thrives in the New World, and becomes a great asset to Indians and the settlers alike. I can’t wait to read the rest of his story in the following books!

  Roger. Our historian, our musician, our modern, chivalrous knight. He’s passionate and loving and thoughtful, incredibly patient and determined, and fights hard to understand and rationalize time travel. He loves Brianna deeply and throws himself into understanding her family history as well as his own. Poor man went through several ups and downs in this book, and I’m also looking forward to what comes next for him.

  Brianna. She, too, is a determined, stubborn character, an outlander in her own right. She’s deeply conflicted throughout the novel, and even when she has doubts she’ll firmly stick to her decisions. She’s strong and bold, an enigma. I’ve no idea how she managed to handle any of the conflicts thrown her way in this book, and her bravery has me rooting for her in the next ones!

  Drums contained so many echoes and parallels to Outlander. I worried that I wouldn’t like the series as much since we were no longer in Scotland — and I’ll be honest and say Scotland was partly the draw. But Scottish culture made its way to the mountains, and the American lore blends in well. Claire and Jamie’s relationship deepens, and they grow and love one another even more. It’s just beautiful. Watching everyday life come about from extraordinary circumstances…it’s beautiful.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: action/adventure, genre: adult fiction, genre: fantasy, genre: fiction, genre: historical fiction, genre: romance, goodreads, review

• Top Ten Tuesday: All Time Favorite Books

  Posted at 8:15 am by Laura, on March 3, 2015

  Top Ten Tuesday, a concept started by The Broke and the Bookish, is a themed post that connects bloggers to bloggers, bloggers to readers, and readers to readers. Every Tuesday has a special topic, and this Tuesday is Top Ten ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOKS from the Last Three Years.

  

  Oy. At first I thought this would be easy — just a quick scan of my top five favorites from each year — but now that I think about this more, some of the books listed below didn’t even make my Top Five of 20__ list originally. They stick out to me now, though, in one way or another.

  

  

  

  

  

  The Night Circus || Outlander || The Last Enchantments
  Shadow on the Crown || The Secret Keeper

  Mostly historical fiction, two of them fantasy-based, and all three set in England and/or Europe. Sounds about right for my tastes! Four of these authors were new to me at the time I read them and/or they were debuts, so it’s always exciting to find new people to follow.

  

  

  

  

  

  Fangirl || All the Bright Places || Anna and the French Kiss
  Between Shades of Gray || Prisoner of Night and Fog

  Three YA books are contemporary, speaking to who I am as a person (anxious and nerdy, deeply interested in psychology, giggly and a hopeless romantic), and two are WWII historical fiction but with a different perspective (lesser-known Russian history and through the eyes of a young pre-Nazi). Phenomenal books in their own right, and I’m constantly putting them in readers’ hands.

  What are your top ten favorite books from the last three years? Do we have any overlap?

  Posted in books, Top Ten Tuesday | 16 Comments | Tagged books, genre: adult fiction, genre: historical fiction, genre: romance, genre: young adult, top ten tuesday

• Double Reviews: The Winner’s Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski

  Posted at 6:45 am by Laura, on February 25, 2015

   

  Double Reviews! As both books are by the same author — and the newest publication is out next week — I felt it necessary to condense the two posts into one. The first section is for the first book, a review for those who haven’t read it; the second section is for the second book, a review for those who can’t wait to read it. If you’ve read the first book or both, I would love to discuss it with you in the comments!

  ~~~

  The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

  Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
  Published: March 2014
  Genre: young adult, fantasy
  ISBN: 9780374384678
  Goodreads: 4.08
  Rating: ★★★★

  As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction.

  Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

  Kestrel is trapped in a life where she must either marry or join the military. Neither option is appealing. She’s trained in the art of war, and an excellent gambler, but she’d much rather sit at her piano all day. One afternoon at the market changes not only her world but the small portion of the Valorian empire her father, the general, occupies. In one moment, she finds herself in the middle of winning a bid in an auction for a Herrani slave. Little does she know, the slave, Arin, is a spy, and is ready to begin a revolution. But fate has other plans for these two, each one step away in a gamble of crumbling to pieces.

  I was completely uninterested in this book during all the hype last year. But after several nudges from Morgan — “It’s based on Greco-Roman history!” — I gave in. And now I’m ashamed I waited so long!

  This isn’t historical fiction, yet it kind of is. It feels like a part of our own classic history. I couldn’t help but imagine Greece and Italy as the backdrop. Except for the names of the people (Valorian and Herrani) and their customs and culture, there’s nothing else in here that screams stereotypical fantasy, either. No magic, no creatures, no superpowers — just raw human emotion driven by the roles of master and slave, caught in a whirlwind of gambles and revolutions.

  Kestrel was a breath of fresh air. She’s a mediocre warrior, though in no rush to show this to the public. She’s an excellent gambler, quick and intelligent, though she only reveals this while playing society games. Her musical talent, though not appreciated by her society, is phenomenal. This is what drew her to Arin in the first place: the auctioneer claimed he had a beautiful voice (and he does). What makes Kestrel so unique is that this is entirely an introspective novel, both in Kestrel’s (third person) point of view and Arin’s (third person). They’re very intelligent, noting all the potential outcomes of a move and predicting future moves from their opponents. It’s a political game, and it kept me on my toes. Rutkoski brilliantly crafted this novel to make it suspenseful, intriguing, and entertaining.

  “My soul is yours,” he said. “You know that it is.”

  I loved the complexity of Kestrel and Arin’s relationship — or non-relationship, rather. Kestrel is the master, though she struggles with the concept of owning a human. Years ago she freed her Herrani nurse, Enai. Purchasing Arin is a source of inner conflict for Kestrel. She becomes fascinated with him, and forges something akin to friendship. Arin, likewise, is a spy and wants what’s best for his people, but he’s drawn to Kestrel and struggles to keep her out of the plot. He wants to avenge the Herrani, but not if it means harming Kestrel. They save one another, they fight for one another, and yet by doing so their rescues are complicated by the love for their own people and the purpose on their respective side of the fight.

  Layers upon layers of plot and warfare techniques and emotion and loyalty! Kestrel and Arin love one another, but this could also be a strange master-and-slave relationship. It’s fantasy, but it’s based on historical events and texts. It’s political and strategic, but it’s far more mental than physical.

  I can’t describe it. Just read it. Yes.

  ~~~

  The Winner’s Crime by Marie Rutkoski

  Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
  Publishing Date: March 3
  Genre: young adult, fantasy
  ISBN: 9780374384708
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★

  The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement…if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.

  As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.

  Kestrel and Arin have buried themselves in a sea of deception. Arin knows Kestrel isn’t being completely honest with him about her engagement and the treaty he signed — but how could she trust him when he, too, has lied to her? As Kestrel’s wedding approaches, she takes charge of working within the palace walls to discover the emperor’s true intentions, to find a balance of love for her father and Valoria, and love for Arin. Arin, too, seeks dangerous allies with the help of a spy in Kestrel’s court. Just as they feel they’ve learned the truth, the struggle to maintain a dam of secrecy nearly bursts, with deathly consequences.

  “. . . We both know what it means to lie for the right reasons.”*

  First, the plot was more complex, more intricate, and yet much tighter than the first book. This is a blessing, because things really do become even more complicated. It seemed the only truthful person in the entire book was poor Prince Verex, and even then his lies were simply the omission of truth. If Rutkoski added any sort of flowery romance, any additional encounters between Arin and Kestrel, this would have dragged. The plotting (of the book and of all the schemes with Arin, Kestrel, and the emperor) was wonderfully packaged, and I’m glad Rutkoski included what she did and no more.

  “Marry him,” Arin said, “but be mine in secret.”*

  Second, the romantic element was even more heartbreaking. Arin is obsessed with figuring out why Kestrel is engaged when she’d originally had no interest in marriage. He wants to know what he’s done wrong. He throws himself at her, and she’s cold to him. She has to be. Watching that happen — her pain mixed with his sudden humiliation — was just…stomp on my heart why don’t you! But then he makes discoveries, and she makes discoveries, and they try to tell each other about these discoveries, but then there’s misunderstandings, and there’s heartbreak everywhere. GAH! Like Lindsey, I just wanted, for once, for them to tell each other the truth and laugh and smile with true happiness and “smoosh their faces together.” But alas. This is not that kind of love.

  “I believe that the land I won was for you. You are my fate.”*

  There’s another sort of love going on here too. Very small, singular moments of father-daughter affection appeared in the first book. Call it love, call it respect — they were the other’s world. Well, the plot thickens for Kestrel and her father as he continues his work for the empire and she’s trapped behind silks and jewels. This relationship — the one that was meant to be the most honest and pure in Kestrel’s life — is strained and muddied.

  An emotion clamped down on her heart. It squeezed her into a terrible silence.
  But he said nothing after that, only her name, as if her name were not a name but
  a question. Or perhaps that wasn’t how he had said it, and she was wrong, and
  she’d heard a question simply because the sound of him speaking her name made
  her wish that she were his answer.*

  This book will give you all the feels. And none of them will be particularly happy. All the happy feels will be from imaginary scenarios, and remembering that will only make you sob. All the politics will intrigue you and anger you. The stolen moments are filled with love and coded with deceit. And once you think some progress will be made, that happiness is just around the corner, Rutkoski snatches it away from you and crushes your dreams. I loved every second of it (even when I wanted to throw this across the room).

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from FSG for review!

  *Quotes taken from uncorrected proof.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 2 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: fantasy, genre: historical fiction, genre: romance, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “The Case of the Missing Moonstone” by Jordan Stratford

  Posted at 7:30 am by Laura, on February 21, 2015

  The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency: The Case of the Missing Moonstone by Jordan Stratford

  Publisher: Knopf BFYR
  Published: January 2015
  Genre: middle grade, historical fiction, mystery
  ISBN: 9780385754415
  Goodreads: 3.96
  Rating: ★★★★

  Lady Ada Byron, age eleven, is a genius. Isolated, awkward and a bit rude—but a genius. Mary Godwin, age fourteen, is a romantic. Adventurous, astute, and kind, Mary is to become Ada’s first true friend. And together, the girls conspire to form the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency—a secret constabulary for the apprehension of clever criminals. Their first case involves a stolen heirloom, a false confession, and an array of fishy suspects. But it’s no match for the deductive powers and bold hearts of Ada and Mary.

  Ada finds numbers in everything. It’s how she understands her world. Mary is observant and a romantic, longing for adventure. When the two girls are thrust together, they become a dynamic duo and form a detective agency to help London find and prosecute the real criminals not put in the newspaper Ada reads everyday. Mary and Ada take on a case regarding a missing heirloom, and are able to solve it by discovering loopholes in propriety, the power of logic, and learning from one another.

  When I found this adorable middle grade read pertaining to Ada Lovelace (Lord Byron’s genius computer programming daughter) and Mary Shelley (author of Frankenstein), I knew I had to read it. Toss in Percy Shelley, Charles Dickens, and references to The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, and I knew I’d be in love! This is Victorian Gothic / early detective fiction for young readers!

  The author’s note regarding the ages and dates of all the characters was definitely a welcomed one. Mary was actually old enough to be Ada’s mother in real history, and obviously Percy was not much older than Mary. In the book, the author took liberties to make Mary, Ada, and Charles roughly the same age (with Charles the only character the accurate age in 1826), Percy their tutor, and Byron long dead. Even with these liberties, Stratford managed to capture these characters in such a way that it truly reflects who they eventually became (or at least how we know them to be). For example, Ada really was a bit of a rude genius, and Percy passionate but somewhat wishy washy. Mary, from what I’ve read, longed for adventure outside her home, but outwardly showed herself to be docile and polite (hence the shock of her book!).

  Anyway, enough with my amazement with the timeline and nods and general Victorian-ness!

  I found myself laughing at least once each chapter. There would be a turn of phrase, a line, an observation, a remark, that would cause me to laugh at the pun or the reference or the characterization. I especially enjoyed reading Ada’s line of logic — like how a guard should let two young girls into Newgate because no one ever begs to be let in, only let out — and Mary’s observational skills coming into play later on. The things Percy would fall for — like following the butler into the distillery and getting locked inside — would make me smack my forehead in exasperation, laugh, and read on.

  Everything fit together nicely, like a neat little puzzle. I’ll admit I was paying more attention to all the Victorian literary parallels more so than the mystery — so solving the mystery of the missing moonstone came as a surprise, and quite clever too. The mystery is easy and intriguing enough that I think young readers will really enjoy it.

  This book is perfect for mystery readers, educators, librarians, and logophiles (who will especially enjoy the puns and dialogue). I can’t wait for the next one, featuring Jane (aka Claire Clairmont) and Allegra! The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency will be an automatic buy for me.

  This qualifies as book #2 in my resolution to read 10 library books in 2015.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2015 | 0 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: historical fiction, genre: middle grade, genre: mystery, goodreads, review

• 

• Hello, I’m Laura!

  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to travel, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm always down for chips-and-queso nights. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

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