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Showing posts with label Girls Disguised as Boys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Girls Disguised as Boys. Show all posts
Thursday, May 04, 2023
Newest Amy Harmon Historical My Favorite So Far
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When war breaks out, the Thomas boys start enlisting one-by-one. Deborah's heart shatters each time, not just because of worry for her "brothers," but because she wishes she could fight by their sides. In 1782, she gets tired of waiting. Donning her brothers' old clothing, she enlists in the army under a false name. An enthusiastic "Robert Shurtliff" heads off to war, eager to fight, especially under the leadership of the respected General John Paterson. In addition to the challenge of keeping her identity a secret from the men around her, Deborah is soon dealing with the gruesome realities of war, which is nowhere near as glamorous as it seemed from the sidelines. Desperate to prove herself on the battlefield while not drawing undue attention to herself, she is dismayed to find that she's somehow attracted the admiration of General Paterson. As proud as she is to be assigned his aide-de-camp, being in his constant presence is unsettling to say the least. She's hiding several major secrets from him, including her growing romantic feelings for the handsome widower. How can she make sure he never discovers what she's concealing? And what will happen when he—inevitably—does? If she survives the war, what will the future hold for an unusual woman like herself?
A Girl Called Samson is the newest historical novel by Amy Harmon. This is the third book I've read by her and my favorite one so far (although I do really love Where the Lost Wander). Deborah Samson was a real woman who truly did disguise herself as a man in order to serve in the Revolutionary War. Although Harmon tells a fictionalized version of Deborah's story, it's based in the remarkable truth about an extraordinary woman. In Harmon's hands, at least, she's a compassionate, brave, forthright, and passionate heroine who's both sympathetic and admirable. The author imbues her with a complex personality, a diverse range of emotions, and enough challenging experiences to prove her grit and fortitude, all of which make her a well-crafted character who comes alive on the page. John Paterson (also a real person) is just as likable and appealing. The sparks flying between the two are felt almost instantly, but their bond is built over time, giving their relationship a realistic warmth and depth. Besides their budding romance, there is plenty of action and other turmoil in A Girl Called Samson to keep the tale exciting, compelling, and, of course, heartbreaking. In addition, Harmon's prose is vivid, even poetic, but it's never sentimental or overdone. All of these things combine to create an engrossing, resonant novel that shines light on people who really lived, breathed, and loved their country so much that they did remarkable things in its defense. A Girl Called Samson is a gripping must-read for any historical fiction lover.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of I Shall Be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe and Sisters of Shiloh by Kathy and Becky Hepinstall)
Grade:
for violence, blood/gore, mild sexual content/innuendo, and mild language (no F-bombs)
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of A Girl Called Samson from the generous folks at Lake Union Publishing via those at NetGalley. Thank you!
Monday, June 01, 2020
The Prisoner's Wife: Unique Premise, Ho-Hum Execution
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Without the intervention of World War II, Izabela would never have met Bill King. At 20 years old, she is stuck on the family farm in Czechoslovakia helping her mother while her father and older brother are fighting with the Resistance. As much as Izzy wants to do her part for her country, she can't leave what's left of her family to fend for itself. When a Nazi officer offers to help the women with the harvest by bringing in a group of British POW's, Bill is among the workers. Although he's skin and bones, the gunner from London catches Izzy's eye because of his ready smile and his obvious passion for music. He's attracted to her, too, and soon the unlikely couple is meeting in the barn for clandestine cuddles.
When Izzy and Bill decide to marry secretly and run away together, defying both the Nazis and Izzy's mother, they set themselves on a dangerous path. Only days after their union, they're captured and thrown into a large POW camp in Poland. Dressed in her brother's old clothes, Izzy is hiding in plain sight, desperate not to be revealed as a woman or a Czech. If thought to be a spy, she would be shot on sight. Determined to protect his new wife at all costs, Bill enlists his trusted comrades to help keep her safe. Not all of the POW's can be relied on, however, and when push comes to shove, it's up to Izzy and Bill to save themselves ...
I've read a lot of World War II novels and I've never come across another with the premise that lies at the heart of The Prisoner's Wife, a debut novel by British poet Maggie Brookes. Although the tale purports to be based on a true story, the details of the "real" Izzy and Bill are so vague that their story's veracity is very much in question. Regardless, it's an intriguing idea that should have led to a tense, nail-biter of a novel. Turns out, The Prisoner's Wife is really not all that exciting. Most of the story takes place inside the camp or on work details where the POWs are starved, but not in immediate danger of much more than dying of boredom. Despite a few conflicts here and there, it wasn't until the characters were enduring the Long March at the end of the book that I really worried about their survival. Beyond that, the plot is episodic and rather dull, especially in its very saggy middle. While Brookes succeeds at creating a strong feeling of friendship and camaraderie between Izzy, Bill, and the other POWs, Izzy and Bill never feel very well-developed as individuals or as a couple. Although she's described as a spitfire on numerous occasions, Izzy spends the majority of the novel content to let the men protect her, without taking any risks of her own. I kept waiting for her to do something and she just ... doesn't. It's not even until the end of the story that she really makes sacrifices for anyone other than herself. Likewise, her hasty marriage is based way more on lust than love, making her fight to remain with Bill seem unrealistic. All things considered, then, I didn't end up loving The Prisoner's Wife. I'm still intrigued by its premise, but its ho-hum execution made the book way too easy to put down. Although I did end up finishing it, the read left me feeling less than satisfied.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of every other World War II concentration camp novel I've read)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, blood/gore, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Prisoner's Wife from the generous folks at Berkley (an imprint of Penguin Random House). Thank you!
Wednesday, February 06, 2019
Female Civil War Soldiers Novel a Good (Enough) Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When her young husband joins the Confederate Army, Libby Beale Tanner knows he may never come home. Still, she's not at all prepared to be a widow almost before she's had a chance to be a bride. Haunted by the loss, Libby's overwhelming grief takes on a disturbing singlemindedness. Obsessed with avenging her husband by killing one Union soldier to represent each of the dead man's twenty years of life, she disguises herself as a man and joins the Army herself.
Although Josephine Beale never liked her sister's cocky husband, she's devastated to see her beloved Libby so overtaken by sadness. When she discovers Libby's cockamamie plan to enlist, Josephine begs her sister not to be so foolhardy. When Libby refuses to back down, Josephine does the only thing she can to protect her—she enlists, too.
Rechristened Thomas and Joseph Holden, the women join a big, bloody war that will rock them to their cores in ways they could never have predicted. Tormented nightly by her husband's angry ghost, Libby slowly descends into madness. Struck by Cupid's arrow, Josephine is going crazy in a different way. Desperate to keep their identities both concealed and intact, the sisters struggle to remain sane in a world gone utterly mad.
I find the subject of women disguising themselves as men to serve in the Civil War endlessly fascinating. These based-on-a-true-story accounts showcase the courage and devotion that drove real women to join the cause, whether it was in an effort to stay close to a loved one, earn money for their families, or simply to prove themselves in a time when they were limited by the constraints of being a "lady". Sisters of Shiloh, penned by sisters Kathy and Becky Hepinstall, is an interesting depiction of what two Southern women may have experienced while serving as Confederate soldiers. Although the characters are not well developed, the sisters are both sympathetic story people. Their tale is one of survival; as such, it's episodic, meandering, and even a little dull at times. Despite this, a plodding pace, and some overdone prose, though, I liked Sisters of Shiloh well enough to finish it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of I Shall Be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe and Women of the Blue and Gray by Marianne Monson)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Sisters of Shiloh with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Civil War Novel an Ode to Strength and Spirit of Women Warriors
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
With constant talk of the war, it's no surprise that the boys of Flat Creek, New York, are eager to join up. Rosetta knows it's only a matter of time before Jeremiah Wakefield, the boy she's always loved, enlists. She can't stand the thought of her beloved in harm's way, even if the money he'll earn will get them a whole lot closer to their shared dream of marrying and buying a farm of their own. Even though they wed before Jeremiah leaves, Rosetta is still plagued by anxiety and worry. She can't sit at home idling her days away, so she disguises herself as a boy and secretly follows her husband into battle.
Jeremiah isn't exactly thrilled when he discovers what Rosetta's done, but she's determined to see it through. With both of them earning a soldier's pay, they can buy their farm even faster. If both of them survive the war, which grows increasingly more desperate and bloody by the second. As Rosetta works to prove herself as capable as any other soldier, she'll have to face the greatest dangers and struggles of her life. With comrades dying all around her, Rosetta fears she'll never make it home alive. Will Jeremiah and the other Flat Creek boys ever return to their farms and families? What of the glittering dream that's driving Rosetta on? Will it come to pass? Or will everything—and everyone—she loves become just another casualty of war?
Inspired by the hundreds of real women who served in the Civil War in various capacities, I Shall Be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe honors the strength and spirit of female warriors who fought for the right to battle alongside their husbands, sons, and countrymen. And held their own. Rosetta embodies everything admirable about those real-life women—she's brave, loyal, compassionate, and tough. Her story is an intriguing one, with lots of tension and adventure to keep the reader turning pages. For me, the most fascinating part of a historical novel is often the Author's Note at the end which talks about the real stories behind the fiction and this one was no exception. I had no idea how many women served in the war—I'm definitely planning to read more about these real-life heroines (starting with the reading suggestions McCabe offers on her website)
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of I Shall Be Near to You from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Sixth Installment in Charming Action/Adventure Series As Enjoyable As All the Rest
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for My Bonny Light Horseman, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Bloody Jack novels. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
Jacqueline "Jacky" Faber is no stranger to danger. In fact, it seems to follow the 16-year-old orphan wherever she goes. Although she's had a fine time being a ship's boy, a pirate, a riverboat captain, an entertainer, and a student at a fancy Boston school, it seems her life of adventure is about to come to an end—at the guillotine. She's in deep trouble and there seems to be no way out.
Luckily (or unluckily as the case may be), everything is not as it seems. By faking Jacky's death, British Intelligence is able to enlist her as a spy in the war against the French. Going undercover as a dancer in a seamy Parisian nightclub, her job is to flirt her way into the private lives of enemy soldiers, coaxing out secrets she can pass along to her own government. Jacky's not happy about taking such a big risk—both to her life and to her virtue—but it's the only way she can get her friends freed from prison. In her trademark fashion, Jacky soon finds an even more daring way to fight the French, one that will take her to the front lines, even into the presence of Napoléon Bonaparte himself. While Jacky's certainly gotten herself into some grand scrapes before, this one might be the most dangerous one of all. If she fails, her friends will surely rot in prison and "Bloody" Jack—the infamous, unforgettable pirate and adventurer—will be no more.
It's no secret that I'm mad about the Bloody Jack series by the late L.A. Meyer. I've loved every installment, each of which is full of humor, adventure, and charm. My Bonny Light Horseman, the sixth book, is no exception. It's exciting, fun, and just downright enjoyable. No surprise here, I adored it. I'm reading this series slowly, savoring every book, knowing that there will be no more. R.I.P., Mr. Meyer.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Bloody Jack series, including Bloody Jack; Curse of the Blue Tattoo; Under the Jolly Roger; In the Belly of the Bloodhound; Mississippi Jack; Rapture of the Deep; The Wake of the Lorelei Lee; The Mark of the Golden Dragon; Viva Jacquelina!; Boston Jacky; and Wild Rover No More)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of My Bonny Light Horseman with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Clean, Compelling Adventure an Exciting Start to a Golden YA Series
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
"When there's gold to be had, you can't trust anyone. Not a single soul" (15%).
Like a dowser is drawn to water, Leah Westfall can sense gold. It's a handy skill to have. And a dangerous one. Although her peculiar magic helped the Westfalls buy their large Georgia homestead, Leah has to keep her abilities secret. If no one knows what the 15-year-old can do, no one can exploit her.
Then, Leah's parents are brutally murdered, their home ransacked. It's obvious that someone knows about the Westfalls' secret stash of gold. But who? When Leah's oily Uncle Hiram conveniently appears on the scene, Leah can't contain her disgust. She can't prove he's responsible for her parents' death, but that doesn't make it any less true. With Hiram as her guardian, Leah knows she'll never be free. She refuses to become his gold-finding pet.
Disguising herself as a boy, "Lee" takes off for sunny California, where she hopes to blend in with other prospectors hunting their fortunes. In a place where gold lust prevails, she should be able to camouflage her secret skill sufficiently. Leah's best friend, Jefferson McCauley, is somewhere along the trail; she prays that, somehow, fate will allow them to meet up again. In the meantime, she must fend for herself on a long, hard journey filled with dangers of every kind. With Hiram hot on her tail, it's a desperate run for her life. Can she escape her uncle's greedy clutches? Will she make it to California unscathed? And what of Jefferson? Can she find the boy who's always loved her in the vast wilderness of an untamed land? Anything can happen on the long, perilous trek—especially to a girl with a priceless, golden gift.
I love books like Walk on Earth a Stranger, the first novel in Rae Carson's Gold Seer Trilogy. Starring a brave, hard-working heroine, it's a story brimming over with action, adventure, romance and, most important of all, heart. Who cares if it's not the most original tale in the world? I loved it from start to finish. The story is engaging, the characters endearing (with a few exceptions), the historical details intriguing. It's an excellent novel that will appeal to teens and adults, while being clean enough to hand to tweens. Did I mention that I adored it? Well, I did.
(Readalikes: Like a River Glorious and Into the Bright Unknown (coming October 2017) by Rae Carson; also reminded me of Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee and Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Walk On Earth a Stranger from the generous folks at HarperCollins via those at Edelweiss. Thank you!
Saturday, January 09, 2016
"Real" Lost Dutchman's Mine Legend Comes to Colorful Life in YA Western
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When 18-year-old Kate Thompson returns to her Prescott homestead one day to find her father's dead body swinging from a tree, she's horrified. And outraged. Clearly, this is the work of The Rose Riders, a notorious gang of outlaws. Kate knows exactly what they were after, too. Her father possessed a mysterious diary that supposedly contained directions to The Lost Dutchman, a mine full of treasure hidden at the base of the Superstition Springs Mountains. Kate's Pa always said gold made monsters of men. As she sets off in pursuit of The Rose Riders, it's not greed propelling her, but an unquenchable thirst for revenge.
Disguising herself as a boy, Kate does exactly what Pa told her to do in case of emergency—she heads to the ranch of his friends, the Coltons. There, she receives a letter in which her father strongly cautions her against taking any kind of action against the Roses. Ignoring the advice, she sets off in pursuit. Only now she has brothers Jesse and Will Colton riding in her wake. Try as she might, she can't shake the boys, not in their perceived duty toward her or in their lust for gold. Reluctant companions, the trio rides on.
As they cross over 100 miles of Arizona Territory desert, the group faces dangers of every kind, not just from the relentless heat and ever present dust, but from snorting javelina and wildlife of the most dangerous sort—the human sort. Unwilling to trust anyone, Kate does what she has to do, even when she has to use her gun to do it. As she comes ever closer to a face-off with the men who killed her father, she will have to make a choice between justice and mercy, revenge at any cost or the safety of those she's come to love. With family mysteries unfolding before her, Kate's seeing more clearly than ever before. But will that stop her from avenging her father or will it push her even harder toward her goal?
I've read a few YA westerns lately and, let me tell you, I'm digging this trend toward exciting, old-fashioned yarns. It's refreshing. I appreciate the break from the usual vampires, demon hunters, high school love triangles, etc. Especially enjoyable is Vengeance Road, the newest from Erin Bowman. Featuring a tough, sharp-shooting heroine, it's a gritty tale of survival set against a punishing desert background. The characters are sympathetic while remaining authentic in their actions and desires. Plot-wise, the story gallops along at a steady pace, offering surprising twists around every cactus. It's an engrossing, well-told tale that delivers a compelling, action-packed story as well as an important message about the too-high price of greed.
A fun sidenote: Bowman didn't make up the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Mine. It's one with which most Arizonans are familiar. The hidden mine has never been found and treasure seekers are still drawn to the Superstitions and the gold that may—or may not—be hidden somewhere in the 160,000 acres of desert that surround the mountain range. So, guess who may—or may not—have sparkling caches of gold sitting practically in her backyard? Yours Truly! If you're ever in my 'hood, be sure to visit the Superstition Mountain Museum, which is dedicated to collecting and preserving artifacts related to the colorful history of this area. It's only a few miles from my house, but I've never taken the time to visit. Reading Vengeance Road definitely fired up my imagination and piqued my interest in learning more about the fact, folklore and plain ole fiction surrounding the desert where I live.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee and the movie True Grit [which is based on the book by Charles Portis, which I have yet to read])
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, sexual innuendo, and mild (not graphic) sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, August 13, 2015
A YA Western? Why Not? It's Good!
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Life in 1849 St. Joseph, Missouri, is tolerable for Samantha Young and her father—even if both of them dream of being somewhere else. Samantha, a 15-year-old violinist, longs to return to New York City with its vibrant, sophisticated culture. Her father, a Chinese immigrant, wants to see the Pacific Ocean and make his fortune in California. When the family's dry goods store burns to the ground, killing Mr. Young, it becomes apparent that neither one of them will be getting what they desire.
Penniless, Samantha has little choice but to take their landlord up on his offer of lodging at a hotel he owns. When he makes it obvious just what he expects in return, she reacts in self-defense, killing the odious man. With the help of a slave housekeeper named Annamae, Samantha flees. Disguised as boys, the two girls join other travelers headed west on The Oregon Trail. Desperate to get as far away from St. Joe as possible, the pair brave danger of every kind as they become unwitting pioneers.
When "Sammy" and "Andy" meet up with a trio of young, would-be gold prospectors, they worry their precious secrets will be discovered. Will the boys find out their new companions are really girls in disguise? Can Samantha and Annamae keep their real identities under wraps until they reach safety in California? Does a safe place even exist for two fugitives on the run from some very powerful enemies?
While historical fiction for teens isn't hard to come by, YA westerns are practically unheard of. Maybe that's what makes Under a Painted Sky, a debut novel by Stacey Lee, stand out. Or, maybe it's because of the diverse characters she creates—not only are they sympathetic, but they're also complex and intriguing. Or, it could be Lee's vivid, engaging prose. Or the novel's perfect balance between adventure, suspense, romance, and humor. Or, the warmth the story exudes, despite its treatment of tough subjects. Take your pick. All of these elements come together in charming, compelling harmony in Under the Painted Sky. At its heart, it's a story about friendship, but it's also so very, very much more ... I loved it.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence (including an attempted rape scene)/gore, and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Under a Painted Sky from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
YA Immigration Novel as Exciting and Powerful as, well, a Fire Horse Girl
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Everyone knows that girls born in the Year of the Fire Horse take on that animal's worst traits—stubbornness, willfulness, independence. All are qualities guaranteed to bring shame upon her family. With such a portentous zodiac sign, 16-year-old Jade Moon Chang doesn't stand a chance. Every move she makes in her little Chinese village is watched, judged. Finding a man willing to marry such an unlucky girl is the worry of her father and grandfather. Jade Moon fears the same, but for different reasons. The last thing she wants is to remain in her tiny town, leashed by a husband who controls her every step.
Then, a stranger arrives, changing everything. Sterling Promise, Jade Moon's adopted cousin from Hong Kong, comes bearing an amazing opportunity: a chance to live in America. It sounds too good to be true, especially coming from the smooth-talking Sterling Promise. Still, Jade Moon can't contain her excitement. Not only is she leaving Jinjui Village, she's going to America! A Fire Horse is sure to be welcome in that modern, enterprising world.
But, it's 1923, and Chinese immigrants aren't exactly welcomed to the U.S. with open arms. In fact, they're held at Angel Island, near San Francisco. A survey of her fellow detainees confirms that Jade Moon could be held there for days, weeks, even years—as long as it takes to determine she qualifies to stay in America. If she doesn't pass muster, she'll be deported. Jade Moon can't let that happen, but as the weeks roll by, she knows she can't remain on Angel Island either. What is a Fire Horse girl to do? Take matters into her own hands, of course. As Jade Moon takes command of her own destiny, she steps right into San Francisco's ugly underbelly. It's an adventure, sure, but not one anyone—even a Fire Horse girl—is likely to survive.
The Fire Horse Girl, a debut novel by Kay Honeyman, brings the Chinese immigrant experience to vivid life in a story that's as exciting as it is heartfelt. Jade Moon is a sympathetic heroine, likable because of both her bravery and vulnerability. Her adventure doesn't gloss over the harsh realities faced by Chinese immigrants in the 1920s—it celebrates their courage. The Fire Horse Girl kept me thoroughly engrossed, totally entertained and thoroughly charmed. I loved it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books about Asian immigrants coming to the U.S., especially those by Amy Tan and Lisa See)
Grade: B+
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild language (no F-bombs), violence and references (brief and not overly graphic) to prostitution
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Fire Horse Girl from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
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