Archive for the ‘historical fiction’ Category
Review: Everlasting by Angie Frazier
Everlasting by Angie Frazier
Scholastic Press
In Everlasting, Camille is the daughter of a ship captain in the year 1855. She’s lived her life back and forth between San Francisco and her voyages on her father’s ship. Now that Camille is 17, she’s engaged to a man that is a partner in her father’s company, but before her marriage, she is taking one last trip with her father to Australia. On the ship is an friend of the family and first mate, a young man named Oscar. On the way to Australia, Camille discovers many things aren’t as they seem–her father’s company is failing, and if she doesn’t marry his partner, the company will become bankrupt, a mysterious letter talking about a magical stone is the reason behind the Australia trip, and Oscar seems to be acting oddly around her, and she can’t help but feel different in his presence as well.
After a disastrous ship wreck, the letter, which contains information on Camille’s long-missing mother, leads herself and Oscar to Adelaide, where they must fight against those that also want what is in the letter, as well as their growing feelings for each other. Through a series of twists and surprises, Camille fights to find this magical stone, as well as find a way to let her true feelings shine through. This is a book ripe with adventure and romance, with waves of thrills and suspense.
Camille is a relatable character, in many ways. Her eagerness to please her father, who has become distant, her romances, and her passion for the sea, are admirable traits. I enjoyed the relationship between her and Oscar especially. Compared to many other novels today, where characters jump into relationships with others right off the bat, this felt fresh, and realistic. The voyage on the sea, and in Australia’s jungles, was thrilling and often had me on the edge of my seat. The cast of characters faced a series of villains, and you never knew what was going to happen next. Several surprising twists presented themselves in this novel, and I never felt they were contrived, but a necessary part of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and was delighted to see there will be a sequel next year, called The Eternal Sea. I recommend this book for fans of historical fiction and romance, but also for fans of a good mystery as well.
Purchased from local Borders!
For More: Visit Angie Frazier’s website and check out the gorgeous book trailer for Everlasting!
Review: Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
It’s been far, far too long since I have finished a young adult/middle-grade novel, and even longer since I’ve reviewed one. I just finished Chains and had to talk about it. One, because it’s sequel, Forge, will be coming out THIS MONTH and two, it was fantastic and riveting. Keep reading for my review!
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Isabel is a young slave living during the most heated moments of the American Revolution. After her owner dies, she is sold, along with her sister Ruth, to a couple, Loyalists, that live in New York City. While in New York, Isabel finds herself at the center of the conflict between those loyal to the British crown and the rebels fighting for American freedom. Despite her youth, she is resourceful and smart, and begins spying on her owners in hopes of earning her and her sister’s freedom. After a series of awful betrayals, Isabel realizes there are few people, if any, that she can trust in this world, and that she must continue to fight to survive, not only for herself, but for her sister and for a new found friend, a male slave named Curzon.
Anderson’s Chains will have you gripping the edge of your seat, holding on to every word as you continue through Isabel’s story. This book is extremely emotional, and told in the first person from Isabel’s point of view. Written for a middle-grade audience, this novel does contain a great deal of violence, however, given the time period and events happening, it is to be expected and is presented in an extremely accurate, and often sensitive way. Isabel’s relationships with the people around her, especially her sister Ruth, are touching, and I found myself holding back tears when reading about the life they have been forced to lead as slaves. Time after time again, Isabel’s and Ruth’s luck has run out, and the reader will feel Isabel’s heartbreak and fears.
I found this novel to feel extremely accurate in terms of history, setting-building, and characterization. The dialogue between characters is excellent, and the plot continues to build and build until reaching the final climax. I’ve come to expect excellent storytelling from Anderson after reading her other works, like Speak and Wintergirls, and I was not disappointed in the slightest with Chains. I am eagerly awaiting Forge and any other future works from her!
Paperback copy purchased from local bookseller.
For More: Visit Anderson’s Chains’ website!