Unclaimed Heart by Kim Wilkins

Edition: Paperback, 320 pages

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date: July 2009

Genre: Historical fiction, 1700s, adventure, romance

Similar Books: Pirates! by Celia Rees, Sovay by Celia Rees 

Overall Rating: 4/5

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The rules for a young English woman in 1799 are simple: Do what you're told; stay out of the way; and don't, under any circumstances, ask questions. 

But Constance Blackchurch is insatiable, headstrong, and complex; and the quest to find her missing mother is too much to resist...

as is Alexandre Sans-Nom, the pearl diver who steals her heart, uproots all of her social expectations, and can either ruin or save the family she loves.

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The story was intriguing...a missing mother. A brooding, and distant father. A secret, and of course, a forbidden romance. The story is a bit dry at first but once Constance begins finding out information about her mother's whereabouts, it picks up quite a bit. My only issue with making Unclaimed Heart a favorite was that I felt it was written in sort-of juvenile way. It's not a middle grade novel–at least not by my knowledge–and Wilkins has written other historical romances for adults so I was sort of surprised it would get this feeling. I liked the characters, particularly the french sailor-boy (but of course!) and the setting/period but the main character, Constance, again felt in some way a bit too distant. Some of the predicaments Constance finds herself in is not very realistic, almost silly, and at times a bit rushed which can take the shine off the adventure.

Perhaps the toned-down atmosphere will keep it from being an extremely enticing novel, but it was a nice, quick read nonetheless. Younger readers will probably enjoy this novel much more; in fact, I would definitely have read and loved this book several years ago. Still, I hardly ever regret reading a book set on the high seas! Recommended for ages 12+.

Sovay by Celia Rees

The year is 1794 and it seems the world is yearning for revolution, even the British. For Sovay Middleton, life as the daughter of a kind, wise landlord is not very adventurous at all. When her father and brother’s lives are threatened by the scent of uprising against the King, Sovay is suddenly thrown into a thrilling ride of a lifetime. From posing as a highwayman, dodging a spymaster’s evil and intricate schemes, to facing the sideways traps of the French Revolution, Sovay will do whatever it takes to find her father and bring justice to light.  From the author of Witch Child and Pirates! comes the epic story of one heroine’s quest for freedom and love amidst a fierce battle between revolution and power.

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Sovay is not just a tale of a highway robbery nor a daring story of villainous spies, but a tale more intricate than any reader would suspect. Many reviews of Sovay include disappointment. While the plot is very long and the characters many, Sovay is one of the best reads I’ve read this year. It is not only a heroic story of how justice is sought, but it also opened up a door to history, the history of both our own country and of the civil unrest that both England and France experienced as they too struggled for a People’s Independence. This book has robbers, spymasters, Patriots, and suave Frenchmen all combined in a daring race for freedom. The book jacket has everyone fooled into thinking it is just about a girl who “robbed for love”, when in fact this synopsis does not in any way do it justice. Sovay is a much grander story than that and its plot and scenery changes three times during the course of Sovay’s tale. 

Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan

Fifteen-year-old Blake has a girlfriend and a friend who’s a girl. One of them loves him; the other one needs him. When he snapped a picture of a street person for his photography homework, Blake never dreamed that the woman in the photo was his friend Marissa’s long-lost meth addicted mom. Blake’s participation in the ensuing drama opens up a world of trouble, both for him and for Marissa. He spends the next few months trying to reconcile the conflicting roles of Boyfriend and Friend. His experiences range from the comic (surviving his dad’s birth control talk) to the tragic (a harrowing after-hours visit to the morgue).  In a tangle of life and death, love and loyalty, Blake will emerge with a more sharply defined snapshot of himself. - Goodreads

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Flash Burnout was very disappointing for me. The storyline seemed very intriguing when I first read the book jacket at the library and the dialogue between the characters was great, but there were some things in this book I just couldn't let slip by. First though, let me start out with a few things I did like about Flash Burnout. Blake's passion for photography made the book different, it became a sort of unique aspect. Every chapter came with a photography tip from either a camera handbook or Blake's photography teacher which I thought was neat, and although I didn't always care for Blake's sense of humor, it gave him a strong personality that would set him apart from the other male characters. 
Now for the things I did not like. First of all the "intriguing" part of the book talks about how Blake accidently finds Marissa's mother is actually eliminated within the first couple of chapters and leaves more than half of the book to go... nowhere. Marissa is also the main focal point of the story and is suppose to be Blake's "best friend"; of course you can tell there is obviously something else going on between them just from reading Blake's innermost thoughts. The question I had was where the heck was this story going? After reading exactly midway through Flash Burnout, the my question was answered with one of the most shocking topics I desperately try to stay away from: another distorted adult view on teen sex. Without going into much detail, I will just explain a few things that the reader should know before they choose to touch the cover of this not-so-fun book. I did not like it (nor agree) when Blake's dad told Blake that he could have sex as long as he took the right precautions. That's just like an invitation to disaster. Heck, that's like saying that teen sex is okay. Despite what this book might claim, despite what the media says, there is something terribly wrong when it comes down to a situation where a parent says to a fifteen year old boy "it's okay to have sex". To me that is just wrong. And yes, this book wasn't written by a teen author either–L. K. is an adult. I can't help but wonder if her parents told her the same thing when she was fifteen? Anyway, I would not recommend this to teens and especially not to anyone younger than fourteen. There's bad language, sexual references, and other crude behavior throughout Flash Burnout. Remember, just because something is promoted by adults (or even other teens) doesn't mean it's always the right thing(s) to put into your head. You decide.

Recommendation: Would not recommend whatsoever; it's a bad example for teens.


Content: Sexual references, sexual scene, crude humor, and language. If this was a movie it would have a hard time getting into the PG-13 slot. Ages 16+.


The Last Straw: "There's not any grey areas, Blake." - Blake's dad. Yeah, whatever. At least it wasn't promoting drugs.

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|Pages: 336|Published: October 2009|Publisher: Houghton Mifflin|
|Genre: Contemporary fiction|Price: Pbk. $7.99/ Hard. $16.99|
|Age Group: YA, ages 16+|Content: Very mature teen (PG-13 or R)|
|Enjoyed It: 2/5|Content: 1/5|Cover: 4/5|
|Overall: 2/5|







➲ Please read before commenting: If you disagree with my review, please do not say anything irate or downright mean. If you want to state an opposite opinion please do so in a intelligent matter–I don't mind opposing opinions, just not something that is provocative. Also, anonymous comments containing angry opinions will be deleted. Feel free to leave your blog address even, it's not like I'm going to hunt you down.



Review is copyrighted© 2010 by Books and Literature for Teens

Scones and Sensibility + Interview with Lindsay Eland

Twelve-year-old Polly Madassa is convinced she was born for a more romantic age. A time when Elizabeth Bennett walked along the stone halls of Pemberley, arm in arm with her one true love, Mr. Dracy. A time when Anne Shirley gazed out at the wild seas off Prince Edward Island with her bosom friend, Diana, beside her. A time when a distinguished gentleman called upon a lady of quality, and true love was born in the locked eyes of two young lovers. But alas... Polly was born in the twenty-first century New Jersey. This however, does not hinder our young heroine from finding romance wherever she can conjure it up. So while Polly is burdened with the summer job of delivering baked goods from her parents' bakery to the people in her small beach town (how delightfully quaint!), she finds a way for force... um.... encourage romance to blossom. Indeed, Polly is determined to bring lovers, young and old, together... whether they want to be or not. - book jacket

................................................................

Sconces and Sensibility was a fun book to read. It might seem a little juvenile to older teens, but I thought it was a great story for pretty much any age. Polly, the main character, is a true romantic. She brings out the best and the worst in people. During this particular summer, Polly decides to take matters of love into her own hands had find suitable matches for her sister, Mr. Nighquist, Miss Wiskerton, and Mr. Fisk. The results were predicable, but I enjoyed watching Polly’s schemes unfold to her advantage or to her dismay.

The funny–and special thing–about Polly that sets her apart from most girls, is that she enjoys talking and thinking like Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice and often asks herself what Anne Shirley, from Anne of Green Gables, would do. I think  it’s neat that Eland incorporated these two very classic novels into the story. It was also a great way to sort of introduce those book as well to girls who have yet to read or even hear about them. At first, when you start reading Polly’s narrative, it seems silly that she tries to talk in the style of the Regency Era, but if you look past that, you’ll begin to see a character who is much like you and me. Once upon a time, it was every girl’s fantasy to wear pretty dresses, wear bonnets or sunhats, talk and walk like royalty, and be as elegant as possible. In many ways, Polly brings out the romantics in all of us because she is not afraid to be the person she wants to be whether it’s Elizabeth or Jane Bennett or Anne Shirley. The only problem is that Polly has yet to learn the different between reality and fiction. In the end, Polly has to realize her mistakes and the messes she caused from thinking that no matter what she does, everything will have a “happy ending”. I think Eland has very good potential as a children/young adult writer; it’s always nice to see a new voice in children’s literature.

My Recommendation: For kids/teens ages 10-15 (or any age) who have a soft-spot for Jane Austen inspired books, middle grade fiction, or just enjoy a fun story about matchmaking and scones!

Content: None (G)

The Final Straw: "For everyone knows that a girl cannot live on chicken cordon blue alone."

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|Pages: 309|Year Published: December 2009|Publisher: Egmont US|

|Genre: Contemporary fiction|Content: None (G)|

|Age Group: Ages 10+|Buy/Borrow?: Both|

|Enjoyed It: 4/5|Content: 5/5|Cover: 4/5|

|Overall: 4/5|

Interview with Lindsay Eland

{Blog Tour}

Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap

"Perhaps we will meet again," Sasha said, softening his voice. "But you must see that it does not matter. You have so much ahead of you. It's your choice now. Choose the future! Choose life!"
For Anastasia Romanov, life as the privileged daughter of Russia's last tsar is about to be torn apart by the bloodshed of revolution. Ousted from the imperial palace when the Bolsheviks seize control of the government, Anastasia and her family are exiled to Siberia. But even while the rebels debate the family's future with agonizing slowness and the threat to their lives grows more menacing, romance quietly blooms between Anastasia and Sasha, a sympathetic young guard she has known since childhood. But will the strength of their love be enough to save Anastasia from a violent death? Inspired by the mysteries that have long surrounded the last days of the Romanov family, Susanne Dunlap's new novel is a haunting vision of the life?and love story?of Russia's last princess - book jacket

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Dunlap’s first novel for young adults, The Musician’s Daughter, was one of my favorite historical fiction novels last year. Anastasia’s Secret however didn’t quite reach that level with me and was harder to get into. Although I love reading about the Romanovs and the Last Grand Duchess, I was just a little too disappointed because I was so hoping Dunlap’s second novel would be just as smashing as The Musician's Daughter. Of course you can’t always compare so critically because there were a few differences I would like to point out that shouldn't be compared. With Anastasia's Secret, Dunlap had to follow a set of rules/timelines because the character she was bringing to life had a very important history. Another reason why I tried to not judge too harshly was the fact that Dunlap (as she said in her author’s note) that she wasn’t use to writing in first person! That’s right. This story comes straight from Anastasia’s mouth and I must confess, Dunlap’s quite good at doing justice to the Duchess's personality. In fact, I couldn’t imagine Anastasia any other way.
After reading about halfway through the book I discovered a pattern in the storyline. The book slowed way down when Anastasia was talking about everyday life. Then it picked up (and skipped through time) again when Anastasia was with Sasha. It seemed like the entire novel evolved around Anastasia’s relationship with Sasha. I’m not really complaining about it because after all that is Anastasia’s “secret”, but I would have liked the scenes in between to have been more interesting. In The Musician’s Daughter I saw the streets of Vienna; in this book, I only heard about the Romanov family–it was hard to picture them. 
Despite a few flaws and high expectations, I did think Anastasia’s Secret was still a decent historical romance and that Anastasia was brought to life in a way that was almost magical. I can’t wait until Dunlap writes another story for us. (You wouldn’t believe how excited I was when I found out this one was being released!)

Recommendation: If you’ve read Dunlap’s other novels then Anastasia’s Secret is a must. I would highly recommend to history lovers or historical romance junkies both teen and adult. If you like fast-paced books or have a tendency to abandoned books after a couple chapters then try The Musician’s Daughter–Anastasia’s Secret is probably not for you. Recommend to teens ages 14+.

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For Parents and Teens

This Book is For: Teens or adults who enjoy a good historical (romance) fiction novel or who have a soft-spot for Anastasia stories.

This Book is Not For: Teens who don’t like historical fiction or who can’t stick with a slower plot.

Content Radar: There is sensuality between Sasha and Anastasia and some sexual situations–nothing extremely detailed. There is also lewd remarks from soldiers as well. Not appropriate for teens/tweens 12 and under. (PG)

The Last Straw: What is it about Bloomsbury novels? They smell like adventure!
“I hear the tune and recall a nursemaid singing to me.” - Anastasia

|Pages: 333|Year Published: Nov. 2009|Publisher: Bloomsbury|
|Genre: Historical fiction, romance, 1900s, WWI|
|Age Group: YA, 14+| Content: PG|
|Enjoyed It: 4/5|Content Rating: 4/5|Cover: 5/5|
|Overall: 4/5 |

Prairie Winter by Bonnie Geisert

The Cresbard school means a lot to sixth grader Rachel Johnson. It means classes with a beloved teacher, important band rehearsals for the upcoming concert in Chicago, and time to hang out with Winnie and Darren and the rest of the town kids. For a twelve year-old living on a remote prairie farm with no phone, school means connection. And that connection is about to be severed. The most dangerous winter that Rachel has ever known is about to descend on Cresbard, marooning her on the farm and keeping her from the school she so desperately loves.

Then, in a surprising turn of events, Rachel’s dad agrees to fly his three oldest daughters to town so they can continue the school year. Rachel will be boarding in a hotel with no parents, no rules, and no chores. Her choice of desserts every night, two-stepping with Darren Baxter at the school dance . . .will Rachel ever be able to return to farm life after this?

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Based on the author's childhood in the 1950s, Prairie Winter continues the story of Rachel Johnson [first seen in Prairie Summer & Lessons]. During the harsh winter of 1955-56, Rachel and the rest of the Johnson girls experience some changes among the Johnson family and some special memories of life and school in South Dakota. It was an interesting little book; reminded me a lot of how my grandmother lived during that time. She too lived on a farm isolated from the bigger towns but she did have a telephone, unlike Rachel. 
This book is a short, sweet story–mainly for middle graders–but I don't see why teens wouldn't or couldn't read this. I never read any of the other books in Rachel's trilogy, but you don't really have to since each book is based on one event in the Johnson household. Again, because it is mainly intended for middle graders or kids, it's narration is "juvenile"; this didn't really bother me since a do read middle grade/kids books often, but it can be a little odd if you haven't touched a children's book in awhile.
Overall, Prairie Winter was a nice little fictional memoir of a farm girl's memories of the '50s. I'm not quite sure teens would be too interested in picking it up, but I definitely recommend for middle graders–it would be perfect for a book report and an interesting peek into the 1950s. Ages 10+.

|Pages: 224|Year Published: Nov. 2009|Publisher: Houghton Mifflin|
|Genre: Historical fiction, memoir, middle grade|
|Age Group: Ages 10+|Content: None|
|Buy or Borrow? Both|
|Enjoyed It: 4/5|Content Rating: 5/5|Cover: 5/5|
|Overall|

The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti

Favorite Quote: "And what about the big daddy of all, Prince Charming? What was his secret life?"
Quinn is surrounded by women who have had their hearts broken. Between her mother, her aunt, and her grandmother, Quinn hears nothing but cautionary tales. She tries to be an optimist -- after all, she's the dependable one, the girl who never makes foolish choices. But when she is abruptly and unceremoniously dumped, Quinn starts to think maybe there really are no good men. It doesn't help that she's gingerly handling a renewed relationship with her formerly absent father. He's a little bit of a lot of things: charming, selfish, eccentric, lazy...but he's her dad, and Quinn's just happy to have him around again. Until she realizes how horribly he's treated the many women in his life, how he's stolen more than just their hearts. Determined to, for once, take action in her life, Quinn joins forces with the half sister she's never met and the little sister she'll do anything to protect. Together, they set out to right her father's wrongs...and in doing so, begin to uncover what they're really looking for: the truth.

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It's amazing really, what some people will fall for. Mr. Sensitive, the competitive jerk, the control freak, or the "dirty, rotten, liar" in the words of Dorothy Hoffman, Quinn's grandmother. Sometimes though, you never know about your mistake until you really get to know that person. In The Secret Life of Prince Charming, Quinn explores the world of not-so-perfect men, choices, and the complications of, well, someone who is NOT prince charming and someone who is.
This is my first Caletti book. I know, there must always be a "first" for everything, but I'm very sorry I didn't read one sooner. No, wait. If I had, I wouldn't have enjoyed this one so much! It was fun, had a creative plot, and a colorful set of characters––especially Quinn–– that made me really loved reading this book. It was a breath of fresh air from me to read a novel for teens that had some sort of maturity, a guideline, or a message told to you by someone with experience on this subject. And in a way, it was. 
I really liked the way Caletti presented the story. Many people would dramatize it by making the adults shallow as possible, thrown in all kinds of so-called "average teenage stuff", and pull the normal "this is how a love story is" plot. Because of this, I am very hesitant when picking up books about "love stories" among teenagers because everything has gotten to be too cliche. Not so in Prince Charming; every bit of it was original, and even though you might suspect a few things to happen with Quinn, it was exciting to watch her discovery and her adventure unfold all while knowing that there is a good chance of a happy ending.
Another key concept to Caletti's writing with Prince Charming (and maybe in her other books as well) is humor. Realistic, everyday, family humor. Love that. It really makes the characters personalities go far. While showing you characters you could only wish you knew (like Quinn), you also meet some characters that make you cringe, like Berry, Quinn's father, the exotic, smooth-talking casanova that many women (too many) have fallen for. Again, very neat set of characters.


Overall, The Secret Life of Prince Charming was a fantastic story that teen girls would enjoy and appreciate the message of finding a real Prince Charming Caletti. Highly recommend to teens ages fourteen and up. (As for my next Caletti novel, the winner is The Nature of Jade)

|Pages: 336|Year Published: 2009|Publisher: Simon Pulse|
|Genre: Contemporary fiction, teen romance, drama|
|Age Group: YA, ages 14+|Buy/Borrow?| Buy|
|Content: Some language and family drama; 
  will be more appealing to older teens|
|Enjoyed It: 5/5|Content Rating: 4/5|Cover: 5/5|
|Overall|

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (by Guest Reviewer)

It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.
Aleksandar Ferdinand, prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle-torn Stormwalker and a loyal crew of men.
Deryn Sharp is a commoner, a girl disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.
With the Great War brewing, Alek's and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way...taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure. One that will change both their lives forever.

I was at first a little hesitant to pick this book up since I’m normally not that into fictional books about the World Wars but once I started reading it, I couldn’t stop. The book was well paced and the characters were enthralling. Since I like animals, I also found the creatures in the book very interesting and the machines were cool too.

I quickly got attached to Aleksandar because of his friendly personality and Deryn was a fiery female character who can take care of herself.

Normally, when there is a lot of illustrations in a book, it seems to make the book seem like it is for younger children but the illustrations in this book did not seem that way at all. They were very well done and added to the story by helping me see what the creatures and machines looked like when long descriptions would have bogged down the story.

The thing that bothered me most in this book was that the author referred to evolution quite a bit. Still, I am eagerly awaiting the second book.

|Pages: 448|Year Published: October 6, 2009 |Publisher: Simon Pulse|
|Genre: Science fiction, steampunk, alternate history |
|Age Group: YA, ages 12+|Buy or Borrow? Both|
|Content: None|

|Enjoyed It: 4/5|Content Rating: 5/5|Overall|

Review by Jessi

The Real, Real by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus

When Jesse O'Rourke gets picked for a "documentary" being filmed at her school she's tempted to turn down the offer. But there's a tuition check attached, and Jesse needs the cash for college. All she has to do is trade her best friend for the glam clique, her privacy for a 24/7 mike, and her sense of right and wrong for "what sells on camera". At least there's one bright spot in the train wreck that is her suddenly public senior year: Jesse's crush has also made the cast. As the producers manipulate the lives of their "characters" to heighten the drama and US Weekly covers become a regular occurrence for Jesse, she must struggle to remember one thing: the difference between real and the real real.

The Real, Real is a story about what happens when you "sell" your soul to the camera. The only problem is, that "what goes on behind camera" gets put into a major reality TV show for teens.
Even though I didn't exactly enjoy the entire novel, it was a fairly good example of what happens when you become famous for something that wasn't suppose to be filmed. I liked the first half of the book because I admired Jesse's character and her sense of humor. Jesse seemed like she had a level head and couldn't possibly get wrapped up in the drama of the TV show. As the book progress, however, she looses her sense of right and wrong (as the book jacket says) and her character. Without realizing it, she starts creating things that will "sell on camera". Even though Jesse starts to realize that things need to change, it isn't like she made a step for silver screen exit. Just goes to show you what the film fever can do to you.
The other characters in this book were desperate do anything for the media--specially Trisha. The only person who stayed out of trouble throughout the entire book was Drew. There is also quite a bit of language and sexual innuendo which knocks a couple points off my rating. Sometimes this book felt more like an adult novel than a teen one.
Overall, I have to admit I didn't really like The Real, Real all that much due to the fact that I was kinda disappointed with how Jesse handled everything. Unless you love reading Hollywood-like dramas then The Real, Real probably won't snag your fancy. Fans of The Nanny Diaries might enjoy this as well. Appropriate for ages 16+.

|Pages: 309|Year Published: 2009|Publisher: Harper Teen|
|Genre: Contemporary fiction, romance|
|Age Group: YA, ages 16+|
|Content: Language, kissing, & some sexual situations|
|Enjoyed It: 2/5|Content: 2/5|Cover: 3/5|
|Overall|

Want to win a *signed* copy of the new paperback edition of The Real, Real? Enter my Anniversary Giveaway Bash to win this book and your choice two others!

The Brother's Story by Katherine Sturtevant

The winter of 1683, the coldest winter ever recorded in England, has taken an terrible tole on Kit and his poor family. Kit dreams of going to London to find a job, but the only thing holding him back is his twin brother, Christy, who was born "simple". Since Kit has always looked after his brother and has never been separated, Kit isn't sure if Christy will survive without him. Frustrated and determined to better himself, in the end, Kit decides to abandon Christy in Essex and flee to the city. Once in London, Kit faces a world of opportunity and misfortune. 
Capturing the icy hardships of 1683 and the gritty streets of London, Sturtevant crafts a memorable story of duty and brotherly love. 


What drew me to The Brother's Story was the cover. I know, I know, "never judge a book by it's cover", but I couldn't help myself. The cover was neat looking and plus, it was set in London during the late 1600s--a period that I haven't read much about. Sturtevant is a good historical fiction writer because she describes the English country side and the bustling streets of London quite well. She also threw in the true time-period style language as well. Since Kit, our main character, is from Essex (a real country bumpkin), he has a sort of "hill billy" accent. It kind of annoyed me at first because he kept saying phrases and words like "I knowed that" or "hisself", but I got use to it after awhile.
The problem with The Brother's Story was that it was pretty slow at the beginning; almost to the point where only a hard-core reader would get through it. Another down-side was that it felt like Kit's story kind of lingered in one area for too long. The point of the story was Kit and his brother, but the climax kept wondering around the streets of London...literally. It also had a lot of references to prostitution, in which some cases the references were really bold and not just implied. Although it has to do with Kit's battle against temptation, I think we could have been spared some of those lewd British slang word. Because of it's frequent sexual references and Kit's sensuality, I would only recommend to older teens. Once I got halfway through the book though, it was terribly hard to put down. The ending was much better and I actually liked it! Through Kit's London "adventure", Kit learned a lot. I'm glad he did what was right.

Overall, The Brother's Story was an okay read, gritty, but well researched and intriguing nonetheless. I think Kit was a genuine character and it was worth while to watch him change from a child into an adult. If you're a history enthusiast like me, you probably can't resist picking up a copy; but I must say it is not an absolute must read. I still like the cover. Recommend for teens 14+.

Katherine Sturtevant has written two other hf books which I might look into: At the Sign of the Star and A True and Faithful Narrative.


|Pages: 271|Year Published: Nov. 2009|Publisher: FSG|
|Genre: Historical fiction, 1600s, The Great Frost|
|Age Group: YA, ages 14+|
|Content: Sensuality and sexual references [PG-13]|
|Enjoyed It: 3/5|Content Rating: 2/5|Cover: 5/5|
|Overall|

Lady Macbeth's Daughter by Lisa Klein

Albia has grown up with no knowledge of her father, the powerful thane Macbeth, and her mother, the grief-wracked Grelach. Instead she knows the dark lure of the Wychelm Wood and the moors, where she’s been raised by three strange sisters. The ambitious Macbeth seeks to know his fate,and Albia’s life becomes tangled with that of the man who leaves in his wake nothing but bloodshed. When Albia learns that she has the second sight, she must decide whether to ignore the terrible future she foresees—or to change it.
 With only the shepherd Colum to aid her, Albia sets out on a journey fraught with peril. Will she be able to save the man she loves from her murderous father? Can she forgive her parents their wrongs, or must she destroy them? 

My first Klein book was Two Girls of Gettysburg. The end was breathtaking. Lady MacBeth's Daughter? An absolute masterpiece. I think Shakespeare would be happy to know that Macbeth is being enjoyed by teens once again. Filled with emotion and a exciting dramatic climax, Klein has done it again with this historical and mythical tale of Scotland's murderous king. Aliba, our heroine, is faced with a series of difficult choices; with every decision, the plot takes a another nail-biting turn. I love historical fiction because you always get a little something out of it, if not a lot. You get to wander through a past time period and enjoy an adventure. I usually like historical fiction--even if it is a bit slow at times--but that's just me. For those who like to be kept on the edge of your seat, well good news! Albia doesn't wait for adventure to happen, she finds it! Even hesitant readers might want to take a look at this book!

Overall I think Lady Macbeth's Daughter is a thrilling novel dripping with romance and adventure and a surprising twist. I have not yet read Shakespeare's Macbeth, but this book is sure to help me through it or better yet, help bring it to life. 

|Pages: 304|Year Published: Oct. 2009|Publisher: Bloomsbury USA|

|Genre: Historical fiction, teen romance, Medieval Ages|

|Age Group: YA, ages 14+|

|Content: Sensuality; not recommend for anyone under 13 (PG-13)|

|Enjoyed It: 5/5|Content Rating: 3/5|Cover: 5/5|
|Overall|