Tag Archives: genre: historical

Book Review: The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan

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the girls of atomic cityInfo:
Title: The Girls of Atomic City
Author: Denise Kiernan
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Publisher: Touchstone/Simon & Schuster
Source: Publisher
Series? No
Genre: Nonfiction, History, Adult
Page Count: 400
Rating: [4/5 stars]

Summary:

The incredible story of the young women of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, who unwittingly played a crucial role in one of the most significant moments in U.S. history.

The Tennessee town of Oak Ridge was created from scratch in 1942. One of the Manhattan Project’s secret cities, it didn’t appear on any maps until 1949, and yet at the height of World War II it was using more electricity than New York City and was home to more than 75,000 people, many of them young women recruited from small towns across the South. Their jobs were shrouded in mystery, but they were buoyed by a sense of shared purpose, close friendships—and a surplus of handsome scientists and Army men!

But against this vibrant wartime backdrop, a darker story was unfolding. The penalty for talking about their work—even the most innocuous details—was job loss and eviction. One woman was recruited to spy on her coworkers. They all knew something big was happening at Oak Ridge, but few could piece together the true nature of their work until the bomb “Little Boy” was dropped over Hiroshima, Japan, and the secret was out. The shocking revelation: the residents of Oak Ridge were enriching uranium for the atomic bomb.

Though the young women originally believed they would leave Oak Ridge after the war, many met husbands there, made lifelong friends, and still call the seventy-year-old town home. The reverberations from their work there—work they didn’t fully understand at the time—are still being felt today. In The Girls of Atomic City, Denise Kiernan traces the astonishing story of these unsung WWII workers through interviews with dozens of surviving women and other Oak Ridge residents. Like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, this is history and science made fresh and vibrant—a beautifully told, deeply researched story that unfolds in a suspenseful and exciting way. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
Before hearing about THE GIRLS OF ATOMIC CITY, I had never heard of Oak Ridge, or knew how the atomic bomb was created. I just knew it had been used to bring about the end of World War II. I did know a little about the science behind it, because I’ve read a few books on Marie Curie and the scientific world at that time, but not a lot.

THE GIRLS OF ATOMIC CITY is a book I savored. In fact, I took longer reading it than I should have because I didn’t want it to end. I can’t remember the last time I so thoroughly enjoyed a non-fiction book from cover to cover. I even found the notes at the end, that gave details on interviews with the women, to be interesting. The majority of the book reads like historical fiction, but even better because you know it’s true! The only parts of the book that were hard for me to get through were the Tubealloy sections; they were in a different font I found hard on the eyes, and I ended up skimming them.

The book is told from the viewpoints of a handful of women whose jobs varied from secretary to janitor to chemist. All of the women had different backgrounds, from girls fresh off the farm and out of high school to college graduates. I felt like I really came to know the women. I was sad to leave them behind when the book finished, because I got the feeling that each of them led fascinating lives even after the end of Oak Ridge as a production site for tubealloy (enriched uranium).

Oak Ridge — a secret, government run project — would never happen today. It’s impossible. Smartphones and social media and the Internet would blow the secret. I also don’t think people share the same patriotism and sense of duty to the U.S. that the WWII generation had (this is MY opinion). Celia, one of the women in the book, took a job at Oak Ridge without knowing where she would be going or what she would be doing. She just got on the train she was told to get on. I know I never would have done that! “[...] all the women on the train had been told that their new jobs served one purpose only: to bring a speedy and victorious end to the war. That was enough for her (p. 7).”

Throughout the book, I wondered how the women who lived and worked at Oak Ridge would feel about the use of the atomic bomb. The author makes sure to answer that question, in their own words. As the author says about her work, “The challenge in telling the story of the atomic bomb is one of nuance, requiring thought and sensitivity and walking a line between commemoration and celebration (p. 313).” I think Denise Kiernan more than succeeded in that challenge, and did an admirable job of melding personal stories with information about how Oak Ridge started and how it operated, as well as its impact on American history.

I highly recommend THE GIRLS OF ATOMIC CITY. The book takes a secret part of American history and brings it into the spotlight. After reading it, I can only wonder what other secrets about the atomic bomb are still classified. It’s the sort of history book I like to read. Instead of focusing on big name people, the author told the story of the average, everyday American woman. The women in this book will stay with me for a long time; for me, it’s ordinary women like the ones featured in THE GIRLS OF ATOMIC CITY that make history real.

Socialize with the author:
Denise Kiernan:
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– leeanna

Book Review: Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell

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shadow on the crownInfo:
Title: Shadow on the Crown
Author: Patricia Bracewell
Release Date: February 7, 2013
Publisher: Viking Adult
Source: Viking Adult/NetGalley
Series? First in trilogy
Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction
Page Count: 416
Rating: [5/5 stars]

Summary:

A rich tale of power and forbidden love revolving around a young medieval queen

In 1002, fifteen­-year-old Emma of Normandy crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England, whom she meets for the first time at the church door. Thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court, with a husband who mistrusts her, stepsons who resent her and a bewitching rival who covets her crown, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.

Determined to outmaneuver her adversaries, Emma forges alliances with influential men at court and wins the affection of the English people. But her growing love for a man who is not her husband and the imminent threat of a Viking invasion jeopardize both her crown and her life.

Based on real events recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Shadow on the Crown introduces readers to a fascinating, overlooked period of history and an unforgettable heroine whose quest to find her place in the world will resonate with modern readers. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
I had a hard time reviewing SHADOW ON THE CROWN, but not because it was a bad book. Quite the opposite: the book sunk its claws into me, and I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the last page. It’s now been a month since I read it, yet I still think about it every so often.

SHADOW ON THE CROWN is the story of Emma of Normandy. I had never heard of her before, but I was instantly captivated by her character. The author’s writing is raw and honest, and there were plenty of times I felt absolutely horrible for Emma. Women in that time (~1000 A.D.) were treated like chattel, even queens, and it was sobering to read.

I had never read anything about this period of history before, and though the author admits she made some changes here and there for the sake of the narrative, she more than succeeded in getting me interested in the time. That’s what I want historical fiction to do for me, so A+ there.

I was a bit worried at the beginning of SHADOW ON THE CROWN. There’s a helpful glossary of terms and a cast of characters; the sons of Æthelred all have similar names. So I was worried that I would get them mixed up, but each had his own personality, and I could easily tell them apart.

Aside from Emma’s viewpoint, there are three others: Æthelred, the King; Athelstan, his son; and Elgiva, daughter of one of the King’s chief rivals. This gives a more complete picture of events. The plot, by the way, is well done, with lots of intricate English politics and Viking badassery.

I liked Elgiva’s narration the best after Emma’s, because of her ambition. I’d liken her to a modern woman, in that she didn’t listen to her father and brother when they tried to control her. She was out for herself.

My only complaint is I wish it had been clearer that SHADOW ON THE CROWN is the first book in a trilogy. When I was about three quarters of the way through it, I was trying to figure out how all the various storylines would tie up, only to realize most of them wouldn’t.

I can’t believe SHADOW ON THE CROWN is a debut! I’ll definitely be on the lookout for the rest of the trilogy, because the author made Emma and her story so fascinating to me. This isn’t a “girl meets her prince and lives happily ever after” historical fiction. It’s gritty, dark, and realistic, and I LOVED it.

Highly recommended.

Socialize with the author:
Patricia Bracewell:
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– leeanna

Book Review: The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd

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the madman's daughterInfo:
Title: The Madman’s Daughter
Author: Megan Shepherd
Release Date: January 29, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Amazon Vine
Series? The Madman’s Daughter #1
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Horror, Gothic, Romance
Page Count: 432

Summary:

In the darkest places, even love is deadly.

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father’s gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father’s handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father’s madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island’s inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father’s dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it’s too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father’s genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells’s classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman’s Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we’ll do anything to know and the truths we’ll go to any lengths to protect. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
The Madman’s Daughter was inspired by The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with that classic before reading. You don’t need to be, although it definitely adds to the story if you are.

Juliet is a plucky heroine. I liked her from the very first page. She’s strong, smart, and capable. Left alone after her mother’s death from consumption and her father’s abandonment, she’s managed to make a life for herself. To be sure, it’s not a glamorous life — she’s a maid cleaning up after medical students — but she’s not fallen to the ultimate low of prostitution.

Unlike most girls of her time, Juliet is fascinated by medicine and science. It’s only natural; her father, Henri Moreau, was one of the greatest doctors in England before a scandal brought him down. Also unlike other girls, she’s not the type of faint or surrender to danger, which leads her into trouble.

After finding out that her father is alive, Juliet takes the chance to reunite with him. Beyond craving his approval and recognition, she can’t help but wonder if any of her father’s madness is in her blood.

If there was a “Worst Father of the Century” award, Juliet’s father would win it. He’s one slimy rat bastard, and that’s without going into any of his madness. My heart ached for Juliet when their reunion didn’t go as she hoped it would, and then I wanted to bash his head against the wall as the story developed further.

Overall, I really liked The Madman’s Daughter. As I said above, Juliet is a great character. My favorite things about the book were Juliet and the unexpected plots twists. I was totally surprised by the last third or so of the book, which I loved. Even though I suspected what was happening on the island, I didn’t see certain things coming, and I had some “Oh my!” moments. I’m being vague on purpose — this is one story I don’t want to spoil.

I did have a few issues with the book. One big annoyance was the love triangle. Considering the time period in which the story is set, it’s shocking, but I just didn’t want it. Juliet’s feelings flip-flopped a lot between Montgomery and Edward, sometimes on the same page. I could understand why she liked Montgomery as they grew up together, but I couldn’t see where her interest in Edward came from.

I also thought the book dragged on for too long. I had the feeling that the author was stretching the story out to make a trilogy. The book could have done without some of the jungle scenes and Juliet’s “I’m mad” moments.

I do have to mention one other thing about The Madman’s Daughter. Balthasar was my second favorite character. I wanted to give him a big hug and tell him he could come live with me. The author created a really sympathetic character in him. Balthasar is perfect for thinking about some of the deeper themes in the book.

The Madman’s Daughter is the YA book I’ve been looking for. Dark, gothic, and scary. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the story unfolds.

Rating: 4 owls

Socialize with the author:
Megan Shepherd:
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– leeanna

Book Review: Innocent Traitor: A Novel of Lady Jane Grey by Alison Weir

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innocent traitorInfo:
Title: Innocent Traitor: A Novel of Lady Jane Grey
Author: Alison Weir
Release Date: April 6, 2006
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Source: Purchased
Series? No
Genre: Historical Fiction
Page Count: 416
Rating:

Summary:

Historical expertise marries page-turning fiction in Alison Weir’s enthralling debut novel, breathing new life into one of the most significant and tumultuous periods of the English monarchy. It is the story of Lady Jane Grey–“the Nine Days’ Queen” –a fifteen-year-old girl who unwittingly finds herself at the center of the religious and civil unrest that nearly toppled the fabled House of Tudor during the sixteenth century.

The child of a scheming father and a ruthless mother, for whom she is merely a pawn in a dynastic game with the highest stakes, Jane Grey was born during the harrowingly turbulent period between Anne Boleyn’s beheading and the demise of Jane’s infamous great-uncle, King Henry VIII. With the premature passing of Jane’ s adolescent cousin, and Henry’s successor, King Edward VI, comes a struggle for supremacy fueled by political machinations and lethal religious fervor.

Unabashedly honest and exceptionally intelligent, Jane possesses a sound strength of character beyond her years that equips her to weather the vicious storm. And though she has no ambitions to rule, preferring to immerse herself in books and religious studies, she is forced to accept the crown, and by so doing sets off a firestorm of intrigue, betrayal, and tragedy.

Alison Weir uses her unmatched skills as a historian to enliven the many dynamic characters of this majestic drama. Along with Lady Jane Grey, Weir vividly renders her devious parents; her much-loved nanny; the benevolent Queen Katherine Parr; Jane’s ambitious cousins; the Catholic “Bloody” Mary, who will stop at nothing to seize the throne; and the protestant and future queen Elizabeth. Readers venture inside royal drawing rooms and bedchambers to witness the power-grabbing that swirls around Lady Jane Grey from the day of her birth to her unbearably poignant death. Innocent Traitor paints a complete and compelling portrait of this captivating young woman, a faithful servant of God whose short reign and brief life would make her a legend. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
Alison Weir is one of my favorite biographers, so I was excited to read a fiction novel by her. In my opinion, her biographies read just as easily as historical fiction, with the added bonus of getting all the facts right.

Innocent Traitor is the story of Lady Jane Grey, the doomed queen who ruled England for nine days. She never wanted to be queen; the machinations of her parents and John Dudley, the Duke of Northumberland, put her there. Dudley, who controlled England while Edward VI was king, didn’t want to give up power.

It is very easy to make Jane out to be a tragic figure, and in reality, she is. Her parents were extremely harsh with her, especially her mother, who would slap and beat her at the slightest perceived misstep. Her parents were disappointed with her from birth, as they had wanted a son. Weir does a good job with showing the trapped position Jane was in — even though she was more educated than many girls of her time, she was still at the mercy of her parents, and had no real control over her own life.

The book is written in the first person point-of-view, with appearances from several characters. Sometimes I found it difficult to keep all the different voices separate, because there was no difference in their styles. There’s Jane; her mother, Frances Brandon; her nurse, Mrs Ellen; John Dudley; Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s last wife; and several others.

I know that Weir is trying to tell Jane’s story from multiple views, so that the reader can get a better picture of everything, rather than if they just read from Jane’s viewpoint. But I think that sticking with first person for Jane, and maybe third person for the others might have been a better choice.

The book is a bit dry at times, but I think Weir does a good job of keeping up the suspense. You know the ultimate ending to Jane’s story — her beheading — but it’s still a shock when it comes. The section from Jane’s executioner at the end was one of my favorites.

I liked Innocent Traitor, but I wasn’t wowed by it. The book won’t be a reread for me, and I found that I prefer Weir’s biographies, but it was refreshing to read a historical fiction that was accurate.

I should also note that I did read this book twice, in December 2011 and December 2012. I enjoyed it less the second time.

Socialize with the author:
Alison Weir:
Website

– leeanna

Book Review: The Queen’s Vow: A Novel of Isabella of Castile by C. W. Gortner

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the queen's vowInfo:
Title: The Queen’s Vow: A Novel of Isabella of Castile
Author: C. W. Gortner
Release Date: June 1, 2012
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Source: Amazon Vine
Series? No
Genre: Historical Fiction
Page Count: 400
Rating:

Summary:

No one believed I was destined for greatness.

So begins Isabella’s story, in this evocative, vividly imagined novel about one of history’s most famous and controversial queens—the warrior who united a fractured country, the champion of the faith whose reign gave rise to the Inquisition, and the visionary who sent Columbus to discover a New World. Acclaimed author C. W. Gortner envisages the turbulent early years of a woman whose mythic rise to power would go on to transform a monarchy, a nation, and the world.

Young Isabella is barely a teenager when she and her brother are taken from their mother’s home to live under the watchful eye of their half-brother, King Enrique, and his sultry, conniving queen. There, Isabella is thrust into danger when she becomes an unwitting pawn in a plot to dethrone Enrique. Suspected of treason and held captive, she treads a perilous path, torn between loyalties, until at age seventeen she suddenly finds herself heiress of Castile, the largest kingdom in Spain. Plunged into a deadly conflict to secure her crown, she is determined to wed the one man she loves yet who is forbidden to her—Fernando, prince of Aragon.

As they unite their two realms under “one crown, one country, one faith,” Isabella and Fernando face an impoverished Spain beset by enemies. With the future of her throne at stake, Isabella resists the zealous demands of the inquisitor Torquemada even as she is seduced by the dreams of an enigmatic navigator named Columbus. But when the Moors of the southern domain of Granada declare war, a violent, treacherous battle against an ancient adversary erupts, one that will test all of Isabella’s resolve, her courage, and her tenacious belief in her destiny.

From the glorious palaces of Segovia to the battlefields of Granada and the intrigue-laden gardens of Seville, The Queen’s Vow sweeps us into the tumultuous forging of a nation and the complex, fascinating heart of the woman who overcame all odds to become Isabella of Castile. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
The Queen’s Vow is a strongly written and engaging retelling of the life of Isabella of Castile. To my shame, I hadn’t read a book about her before, fiction or nonfiction, and so I found this to be an excellent introduction to her life. Before reading, I knew three things about Isabella: she was the mother of Katherine of Aragon (my favorite of Henry VIII’s wives), she brought the Inquisition to Spain, and she funded Christopher Columbus’s expedition to the New World.

After reading The Queen’s Vow, I now know a lot more, and find Isabella to be a fascinating monarch. The author, C. W. Gortner, includes an afterword explaining what changes he made to history, and why he made them. I know historical fiction is never entirely accurate — it wouldn’t be fiction, then! — and that changes are often made so the story is more exciting or readable, etc. It’s always helpful when the author mentions what they’ve changed.

I read book from beginning to end without taking any breaks, I was so immersed in the world of Isabella. She was never expected to inherit the crown of Castile, and the majority of the book deals with her struggles to be named heir, and then in gaining the crown and keeping control. The political side is nicely balanced with her personal life — marriage, children, her husband’s infidelities — and honestly, I have to say I’m surprised the author is a male. He does a great job with realistically portraying a woman’s perspective.

My quibble with the book is that I think the author tried to make Isabella too sympathetic. I can’t say for sure, because I don’t know Spanish history during that time period, but I didn’t quite believe Isabella’s indecision over the Inquisition and expulsion of the Jews from Spain, not when she and her husband were named “The Catholic Monarchs” by the pope.

Overall, though, I would recommend The Queen’s Vow if you’re looking for a good book about Isabella of Castile, or just a good historical fiction. I actually started rereading it right after finishing, because I couldn’t pick out a new book to start. I’ll be tracking down more of the author’s works, as well.

Socialize with the author:
C. W. Gortner:
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– leeanna

Book Review: The Second Empress by Michelle Moran

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the second empressInfo:
Title: The Second Empress: A Novel of Napoleon’s Court
Author: Michelle Moran
Release Date: August 14, 2012
Publisher: Crown
Source: NetGalley
Series? No
Genre: Historical Fiction
Page Count: 312

Summary:

After the bloody French Revolution, Emperor Napoleon’s power is absolute. When Marie-Louise, the eighteen year old daughter of the King of Austria, is told that the Emperor has demanded her hand in marriage, her father presents her with a terrible choice: marry the cruel, capricious Napoleon, leaving the man she loves and her home forever, or say no, and plunge her country into war.

Marie-Louise knows what she must do, and she travels to France, determined to be a good wife despite Napoleon’s reputation. But lavish parties greet her in Paris, and at the extravagant French court, she finds many rivals for her husband’s affection, including Napoleon’s first wife, Joséphine, and his sister Pauline, the only woman as ambitious as the emperor himself. Beloved by some and infamous to many, Pauline is fiercely loyal to her brother. She is also convinced that Napoleon is destined to become the modern Pharaoh of Egypt. Indeed, her greatest hope is to rule alongside him as his queen—a brother-sister marriage just as the ancient Egyptian royals practiced. Determined to see this dream come to pass, Pauline embarks on a campaign to undermine the new empress and convince Napoleon to divorce Marie-Louise.

As Pauline’s insightful Haitian servant, Paul, watches these two women clash, he is torn between his love for Pauline and his sympathy for Marie-Louise. But there are greater concerns than Pauline’s jealousy plaguing the court of France. While Napoleon becomes increasingly desperate for an heir, the empire’s peace looks increasingly unstable. When war once again sweeps the continent and bloodshed threatens Marie-Louise’s family in Austria, the second Empress is forced to make choices that will determine her place in history—and change the course of her life.

Based on primary resources from the time, The Second Empress takes readers back to Napoleon’s empire, where royals and servants alike live at the whim of one man, and two women vie to change their destinies. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
While I had heard of Michelle Moran years ago, The Second Empress is the first book of hers that I’ve read. It’s an easy read, and sort of addicting while you’re reading, but it’s too short and ultimately forgettable.

The Second Empress is the story of Marie-Louise, an archduchess forced to marry Napoleon Bonaparte to prevent war in Austria. The book is told from three viewpoints: Marie-Louise; Pauline, Napoleon’s sister; and Paul, Pauline’s manservant. The alternating viewpoints was both a plus and a minus for me. A plus because each character had a distinct personality, and a minus because I didn’t think Paul’s viewpoint was necessary.

Setting up the marriage between Napoleon and Marie-Louise takes up the bulk of the book, and then before you know it, years of their marriage have flown by with barely any notice. Looking back, I can’t remember much about the second half of the book.

The character I was most interested in was Pauline, not Marie-Louise. Moran’s writing shined in Pauline’s sections, because Pauline had a fascination with ancient Egypt. Compared to her, Marie-Louise was somewhat of a bland character. Add in Paul’s sections, which focused mainly on Pauline, and I think a book about Napoleon’s sister would have been better than one about his second wife.

The Second Empress needed to be longer. With so much time spent on the set up, the ending of the book is too rushed. I felt like things were just getting started, and bam, the book was over.

Rating: 2 owls

Socialize with the author:
Michelle Moran:
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– leeanna

Blog Tour Review: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris (and giveaway!)

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Today I am one of the stops for Rachel Harris’s new book, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, hosted by Shane @ Itching for Books. As I participated in both cover reveals (!) and am a history buff, I was eager to read this book. As part of the tour, I am doing a dream cast, so check after the review for that, as well as a giveaway.

my super sweet sixteenth centuryInfo:
Title: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century
Author: Rachel Harris
Release Date: September 11, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Source: From publisher for blog tour
Series? Yes, #1
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy
Page Count: 304

Summary:

On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze.

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore.

Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever? (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
Wow! I read My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century in one sitting. I bonded with Cat the minute we met, and I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen to her over the course of the book.

Going in, I expected the book to be fluffy and mindless fun. On one level, it is. But on another level, there’s an important message behind it, a message that hit home for me. Cat reminded me a bit of myself — a loner, afraid to let people get close — so it was great to see her grow and learn some lessons about herself and life.

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century would make an awesome beach read, if we were going into summer. So instead I’ll call it a cozy read, to be enjoyed under the blankets, curled up with a backpack full of snacks.

I got swept away by Cat’s enthusiasm for her time travel trip. Instead of being freaked out by being sent hundreds of years into the past, Cat decided to just go with it, a decision I approved of. I also liked that she was into history and had a passion for art, so being sent back to Renaissance Florence was almost like a dream come true for her. Mostly. I don’t want to spoil the story, but I think it would be a great introduction for readers who may not like full on historical fiction. The author doesn’t overload you with detail and history lessons, but there is enough there to keep you interested if you are already a fan of historical fiction.

The only thing that really bugged me was the relationship between Cat and Lorenzo. I’m not a big fan of instant or almost instant love, but in this book, it did make sense. Lorenzo himself is a good character — a nice guy who likes Cat just as much as she likes him. At first I thought he would be the typical bad boy, a player, but he proved me wrong.

Alessandra is also a real sweetie, and she was my favorite character after Cat. Niccolo is delightfully creepy, and a great illustration of the differences between the sixteenth century and modern day.

I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve read a historical fiction that has made me laugh! There’s a lot of humor in My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, largely because Cat makes some funny blunders, including mixing modern day slang with sixteenth century formal speech.

I wasn’t sure how Cat would get out of her predicament — and let me tell you, she gets in some real trouble. I liked how the author handled and told the story, and while the ending is open for a sequel, most things are resolved, so you aren’t left on a cliffhanger.

I definitely recommend My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century if you’re in the mood for a fun read.

Rating: 4 owls

Socialize with the author:
Rachel Harris:
Website
Facebook
Twitter @RachelHarrisYA

Dream Cast!


Cat played by Alexandra Daddario. I know Cat has dark eyes, but there’s something about this actress that reminds me of her. Maybe that’s the sort of look Cat gives the paparazzi — I don’t care that you’re taking five hundred pictures of me!


Lorenzo played by Alex Pettyfer. His hair may not be curly, but he’s definitely got that brooding artist look in this picture.


Alessandra played by Ariana Grande. As soon as I found out this actress was Italian, I knew I had to pick her. I like to think Alessandra would look like this, after Cat gets her to loosen up!


Niccolo played by Pierce Brosnan. I don’t know why, but Pierce kept popping into my head every time there was a scene with Niccolo.

Giveaway!
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Review: The Wild Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria’s Defiant Daughter by Mary Hart Perry

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the wild princessInfo:
Title: The Wild Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria’s Defiant Daughter
Author: Mary Hart Perry
Release Date: July 31, 2012
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Series? Yes
Genre: Historical Fiction
Page Count: 432

Summary:

Four of the five daughters of England’s Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were regal, genteel, and everything a princess should be. But one was rebellious, scandalous, and untamed.

This is her story. . . .

To the court and subjects of Queen Victoria, young Princess Louise—later the Duchess of Argyll—was the “Wild One.” Proud and impetuous, she fought the constraints placed on her and her brothers and sisters, dreamed of becoming an artist, and broke with a three-hundred-year-old tradition by marrying outside of the privileged circle of European royals. Some said she wed for love. Others whispered of a scandal covered up by the Crown. It will take a handsome American, recruited by the queen’s elite Secret Service, to discover the truth. But even as Stephen Byrne—code name the Raven—vows to risk his life to protect the royal family from violent Irish radicals, he tempts Louise with a forbidden love that could prove just as dangerous.

In the vein of Philippa Gregory, Mary Hart Perry tells the riveting story of an extraordinary woman—a princess who refused to give up on her dreams, including her right to true love. (summary from amazon)

My Review:
I didn’t really know what to expect when I started The Wild Princess. I was interested in reading it because I don’t know a lot about Queen Victoria or her family, and I want to expand my knowledge. When I’m learning about a new subject, I typically start by reading historical fiction and then move into nonfiction, because historical fiction piques my interest and gets me excited.

And wow, did Mary Hart Perry deliver in The Wild Princess. The book is the story of Louise, Queen Victoria’s so called “wild daughter.” In modern day, Louise would be a normal woman, but in Victorian times, her ideas of gender equality, sympathizing with commoners, and wanting passion in her marriage were way outside the norm.

The author immediately creates a sympathetic character in Louise, starting with the day of her marriage to the Marquess of Lorne. After the wedding, Louise gets the shock of her life when Lorne is unable to consummate their marriage … and she is sentenced to a loveless, childless marriage. The worst part? Her mother knew Lorne’s secret — and arranged the marriage anyway, because Louise has secrets of her own.

There’s quite a tangle of secrets in The Wild Princess, from Louise and Lorne’s to the Fenian plots against Queen Victoria. That’s where Stephen Byrne, an American assigned to the Queen’s Secret Service, comes in. At first, I couldn’t understand why an American would have any interest in the Queen of England and her family, but Stephen is a man who is driven to protect others, and he’s trying to make up for a mistake in his past, too.

I don’t always like romance, but I did this time. I was rooting for Louise and Stephen; I really wanted Louise to have her happily ever after, however she could. I thought the author did a great job blending truth and rumor, and I will definitely read her next book, on Beatrice, another of Queen Victoria’s daughters.

The Wild Princess is an entertaining book, full of details and intrigue and romance. Mary Hart Perry’s imagining of Louise and her life made me want to learn more about the princess, which is what I always hope for when reading historical fiction.

Rating:

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Mary Hart Perry:
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– leeanna

Review: The Wild Queen: The Days and Nights of Mary, Queen of Scots by Carolyn Meyer

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the wild queen

Info:
Title: The Wild Queen: The Days and Nights of Mary, Queen of Scots
Author: Carolyn Meyer
Release Date: June 19, 2012
Publisher: Harcourt Children’s Books
Source: Amazon Vine
Series? Young Royals #7
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Page Count: 432

Summary:

Mary Stuart was just five years old when she was sent to France to be raised alongside her future husband. But when the frail young king dies, eighteen-year-old Mary is stripped of her title as Queen of France and set adrift in the harsh world, alone. Determined to reign over what is rightfully hers, Mary returns to Scotland. Hopingthat a husband will help her secure the coveted English throne, she marries again, but the love and security she longs for elude her. Instead, the fiery young queen finds herself embroiled in a murder scandal that could cost her the crown. And her attempts to bargain with her formidable “sister queen,” Elizabeth I of England, could cost her her very life. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
I’ve read quite a few of Carolyn Meyer’s books and I’ve enjoyed them all. I know that when I pick up one of her books, it’s going to be a book I like. Her books remind me a lot of the Dear America and Royal Diaries series (remember those? Meyer wrote two installments for the Royal Diaries series), but with a lot more information and story telling. The Wild Queen is no exception. The book is well-researched.

The book is “written” by Mary on the eve of her execution. She skims over the latter years of her life, instead looking back on her youth, from age 6 to 25 or so. Many times she calls herself “wild,” but in today’s terms, she would be a modern woman. Her story is rather sad, because many of the bad things that happened to her weren’t really her fault or something she could control. The few decisions she did make for herself turned out badly. I think readers will both sympathize with Mary and want to whack her upside the head for some of those choices.

The Wild Queen is definitely a book for fans of historical fiction. If you’re looking for something action packed or full of romance, this isn’t the book for you. The author mentions a lot of small details, like Mary spending times in the kitchens, charming the chefs to make her delicacies, or the decorations on her gowns. That kind of information is interesting to me, but I also wanted a bigger picture of her life.

Overall, though, I liked The Wild Queen. The beginning was slow; I had to read the first few chapters over to get into the story. But once I did, I was hooked. I knew almost nothing about Mary before starting it. I read Philippa Gregory’s The Other Queen a few years ago, but I much preferred Meyer’s story. It’s sort of like comparing apples to oranges, though, as they each cover a different period of Mary’s life — Gregory her imprisonment in England, and Meyer her youth.

My Amazon Vine review, which has some different information in it.

Rating: 4 owls

Socialize with the author:
Carolyn Meyer:
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Book 160: War

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WarWar, by Sebastian Junger

“War” is a very hard book for me to summarize.

The author, Sebastian Junger, is a journalist who embedded himself for a year to write about the war in Afghanistan, specifically in the Korengal valley.

“War” is divided into three parts: “Fear,” “Killing,” and “Love.” I read the book from start to finish in one sitting; Junger’s writing immersed me in the brutality of war, of the emotions, of the dangers, of the feelings.

This is a book about what war is really like. I think I was most amazed by the author being in the middle of ambushes, shots flying at the bases, and he was an unarmed viewer.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a real view of the war in Afghanistan.

4/5.