Angie

Incredible!!!

Revisado: 10-29-19

*jaw drops*

My goodness! This book was just about everything I hoped, nothing that I feared, and more than I expected simultaneously. Wow--just wow!

To start with, the setting was so cool! The blend of steampunk and sci-fi with a nonmagical fantasy world was so unique and amazingly well done. It absolutely popped off the page and made me feel like I was right there. Also, it made me feel grounded in what was going on without massive info dumps or long digressions on history, politics, science, etc. That's so hard to do, but it was done so well! Can I tell you exactly what the Terraformists stand for, or when they were founded, or...basically anything substantial about them? Nope, not really. But I automatically feel a bit frightened when I hear they're plotting something. Do I have any clue what the properties of stardust are, or exactly what it's capable of? Absolutely not. But please be careful with that barrel over there... Absolutely stellar job! (Pun only halfway intended. :D)

I started out unsure of where exactly the plot was going to go and ended up with my heart in my throat for at least a good half of the book. I did make a couple of good guesses, but not nearly all of them. Things did seem to slow down a bit near the end--I think just because the character stuff wrapped up so early--which made the big plot climax feel a bit like a denouement. But I was actually really glad that the character drama was brought to a head and resolved as fast as it was, so not a huge complaint for me. The way things wrapped up for one certain character did leave me a bit sad, but overall, I really liked the resolution.

Okay, now we get to characters. Which I purposely saved for last because...eeeeeeek!!! The characters!!! They were my absolute favorite part of the book! Every time I laughed or gasped or put my hand over my heart (which happened a lot), it was 100% because of the characters. Also, my reaction to the characters was not quite the one I was expecting to have, which surprised and intrigued me. From the very beginning, I liked Carthage, felt for him, identified with him--but for some reason it took a few chapters before he completely grabbed hold of my heart. (Don't worry, he's firmly and fully there now; it just took a little longer than I expected to get that spark.) On the other hand, Huxley, who I fully expected to take a while to warm up to, somehow had me completely and helplessly in the palm of his hand from the word go. Brash, cocky, rough-around-the-edges characters are usually not my favorites, but those tiny flashes of vulnerability beneath the self-assured facade? I was absolutely gone. I adored the way they eventually opened up and came together, even if getting there felt as painful for me as it was for them sometimes. And the little ways you could see that they did legitimately care for each other even before they really understood each other, and the way they discovered how much stronger they were as a team...my heart is so happy. <3<3

There were a lot of great messages in this book, but I think the one that resonated with me the most strongly was the one Carthage was faced with in a few scenes, about needing real, genuine human interaction and not trying to be in control of every encounter. No, I've never created an electrical for companionship, but I do sometimes hide behind the written word, where I can carefully shape the image people see of me, without all the embarrassing stumbles and uncertainty. Definitely a lesson I need to keep in mind.

About the only thing that made me at all uncomfortable were a few of the rougher edges to Huxley's character, although even those were pretty tamed down from what they could have been. Specifically, the "in-world" swearing (expressions like "stars"), which wouldn't even warrant a mention if it weren't for the fact that it's specifically called swearing and corrected by other characters. There are also mentions of some serious misconduct in his past, which are not addressed outright, although they're addressed indirectly and never condoned. But other than that, there's really nothing that gave me pause. Also, I appreciated the fact that even though there's no direct salvation message, Carthage's religion seems very solidly Christian (set within their world, but not some weird fantasy remake) and is woven into his thoughts and actions throughout the book.

Overall, I really, really enjoyed this story and am eagerly looking forward to more adventures on the Celestial Isles!

Content--fighting, including gunplay; various accidents, wounds and death *spoiler* including murder and attempted murder *end spoiler*; mentions of drinking and drunkenness; mentions of gambling; mentions of various types of cheating, foul play, bribery, etc.; in-world "swearing" (see above); mentions of worshiping stars and using them to tell the future (portrayed as false); mentions of "magic" in the context of illusions

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Very Well Done

Revisado: 10-29-19 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This was a very, very well done retelling! It kept all the essential parts that made it Emma, but it was absolutely its own story, too. The setting wasn't just a new backdrop thrown over the old set; it was woven into the plot and the characters in a way that made it really integral to the story. The plot took most of the expected turns but several unexpected ones also, and the new and old plot points were integrated so well that it would have been hard to separate them. And while the characters were easily recognizable, they were also fresh and interesting in their own way--for example, the awkwardly prim and stiff Miss Carter in place of the awkwardly clueless and over-talkative Miss Bates.

Emmeline played her role to perfection--sweet and good-hearted at the core, but so full of little vanities, large blind spots, and glaring inconsistencies that I seriously just wanted to shake her. Which is also my reaction to the original Emma, so...yep, nicely done. :) Also, I loved the use of "Emma" for the nickname she can't stand and that's only used by Frederick when he's scolding her. And Frederick was absolutely marvelous in the boy-next-door role. At least as good as the original--*whispers* maybe better in some ways? *pretends I didn't say that* That one scene where Emmeline comes in and finds him on the couch--not saying why or what, but...heart. Melting. Everywhere. <3<3<3<3<3

I can't go deep into the plot without spoilers, but I loved the tweaks with Catarina's character, the twists with Emmeline's father, and the way that the early-Depression setting both affected the plot and emphasized how out of touch our heroine was with certain things. There was also a strong spiritual focus, which I appreciated. Also, I want to know how difficult it is for a reader/writer to write a main character who dislikes books so much! XD

The only thing I really didn't like was the way the subplot with Morgan ended up. *spoiler*Totally my personal preference, but I really wanted him to have a worse comeuppance. And the way things ended for Evelyn made me really sad. :( I really would have preferred either to have him reform or for her to break things off with him. Also, the fact that everyone's main concern was whether Emma had had her heart broken and not the rest of what he had done...it made sense for Frank in the original, but not so much for Morgan's additional crimes in this one. Again, totally my personal preference. ;) *end spoiler*

Overall, an excellent retelling and a great story!

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Content--some insults and rudeness (not condoned); a few instances of Germans called "Huns"; period-appropriate references to "colored" people; mentions of flirting with engaged/married people; mentions of modesty and appropriate behavior in regard to dress, dancing, etc.; one kiss by a married couple

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A New Favorite!

Revisado: 10-29-19

Ohhkay, wow! I'm not sure why it took me so long to get around to this book or why I more than half expected just "another Revolution story." Guess it serves me right for putting it off!

To be clear, this book is so much more than "just another Revolution story." It's not platitudes and easy answers and quick changes of opinion, and it's also not modern characters running around in historical garb across a backdrop that happens to be the Revolution. Everything about the story--dress, setting, characters, opinions, quotes--anchored me in the time and place as firmly as any historical story I've ever read. And it was done without info dumps or painful amounts of detail. (P.S., if you know me, my description/detail tolerance tends to be on the low end anyway, so that's a serious compliment. :D)

I loved the ways the different historical characters were woven into the story, especially the way they were given individual personalities and roles and made to feel like real people instead of cardboard cutouts stuck in for brief cameos. I absolutely loved Dr. Joseph Warren and his centrality to the story (although I have to admit my only knowledge of him prior to this comes from Johnny Tremain--the movie, not the book :P). For as little as she was seen, Abigail Adams absolutely popped off the page as well. One character whose name I didn't know had me looking things up as the story was wrapping up...then realizing it was all explained in the historical note at the end. ;) And another had me wincing in anticipation of the so-easy application of 20/20 hindsight and left me blown away by the unexpected complexity and depth of his characterization.

As for the non-historical characters, William had me both hurting for and rooting for him from the word go. His complexities, insecurities, secret love of adventure, and deep desire for the love and acceptance of his father made him an incredibly real, deep, and vibrant character. Unlike some book heroes whose choices leave me scratching my head, I always understood why he was choosing the things he was choosing and why certain decisions were so hard for him. The only thing I didn't quite get was how a couple of things in the prologue fit with his main motivations, but that might be me missing something. ;) I really liked his relationship with Matthew as well and would have loved to see more of it. <3

There was a bit of tragedy in certain parts, which is not my forte in the slightest, but somehow it was done well enough that I didn't want to collapse into a sad lump when it was over, which is not my normal response to tragic subplots. ;) And even though I had tears running down my cheeks by the end, it was still such an amazingly satisfying story that it's going in my favorites list, no question about it.

Also, I listened to this on audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job. The only drawback for me was the addition of sound effects, which tends to distract me in an audiobook, but that's a personal preference. :)

4.5 stars

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Content--mentions of gunplay, wounds, and deaths; mentions of drinking and drunkenness; veiled references to men having weaknesses for women, safeguarding women's reputations, etc.

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Another Christmas Favorite

Revisado: 12-28-18

Ohhhh, this was so lovely! Another winner! :D

I loved the way the Christmas and family themes were woven together with the mystery. And the way that the kids trying to find the solution worked out so much more realistically than in some other kids' mysteries--especially how the adults stayed involved and didn't let the kids get into anything dangerous. ;) I also loved how the kids' different personalities were so obvious through the whole thing. And the final solution--so amazing!!! And so beautiful! I had suspected maybe a couple of things were going to tie together, but I did not see that coming! <3<3<3

The audiobook narrator did a great job, especially with keeping the dialogue completely natural-sounding and conveying the building excitement without seeming over-the-top. Two thumbs up all the way around!

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the producer. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.

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New Favorite

Revisado: 09-25-18

Oh, oh, oh, this book! So, so many heart-eyes! <3<3<3<3<3<3

I know I keep saying each new (to me) book by Rebekah is my favorite, but this one absolutely takes the cake. Okay, yes, still 'so far,' but it's smashed the 4.5 star mark and is demanding a full five. Maybe five and a half. (It's only getting five, for obvious reasons, but don't tell it that.) ;)

Specifics? You want specifics? All the little heart-eyes aren't enough? Okay, fine. Let's start with a plot that pulled me in from page one and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way. Not that the action was (always) that intense, but the lingering mystery, the unanswered questions, the eagerness to reach the end of the quest had me groaning any time I had to put the book down to focus on something else. (Thankfully, I was listening on audiobook, or I'd have been in real trouble.)

And the characters! (Insert all the heart-eyes!) Ty was so gentle and loving and protective under his rough exterior. Sally was a great mix of necessary ruggedness and girlish softness. Carson was such a wonderful friend to both of them. And the minor characters? So fun and diverse and well-differentiated! The German blacksmith and his Mexican frau/senora had me absolutely rolling! So much fun!

The descriptions kept me grounded solidly in the setting without making me want to skip over them. I mean...not that I'm ever tempted to do that. *ahem* Moving on. I never felt pulled out of the story by any words, phrases, or ideas that felt too modern for the time. And believe me, that's a serious compliment! Actually, I can't honestly name any element of this book that I think could be improved.

This was just such a wonderful story! Deep but simple. Gripping but gentle. Real but beautiful. Not only did I laugh out loud multiple times, I actually cried happy/sweet tears--and that's extremely rare for me! I can guarantee I'll be reading it again. (And again. And again. You know the drill. :D)

P.S.-- And lest I forget, the audiobook narrator was wonderful and really kept my attention and interest. Two thumbs up on the performance as well!

Content--some violence, including gunplay, and injuries, but not excessive or overly descriptive; a non-descriptive kiss; a man tries to force a kiss on a girl

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Fun and Exciting Mystery

Revisado: 08-14-18

Really enjoyed this little mystery. It reminded me a bit of the Boxcar Children series I loved growing up, although with a bit more danger than most of those books had.

I loved the four Graham siblings, the way they worked together, and the way they looked out for and depended on each other. Their personalities, strengths, and weaknesses were balanced and differentiated very well. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat, partly because I was right there with the characters wondering what exactly was going on. It was certainly interesting, although sometimes a little confusing, to have the characters picking up clues that they can't even put together because they don't know what's happening in the first place.

I'll admit I was a little bewildered at their parents' "don't want to know" attitude; it seemed strange that they'd let the kids do pretty much whatever they wanted without even asking what was going on. Also, the kids seemed a bit overeager at times, especially near the end, and just about got themselves in real trouble. Also, I had a hard time figuring out exactly when the story was supposed to be set, which made it hard to picture the characters and the setting.

Even with those nitpicks though, I did enjoy the story and really loved the characters. Also, the audiobook narrator did a great job of bringing it to life. Looking forward to the next book in the series. :)

Content--people threatened; gunplay; non-detailed mentions of injuries

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Great Second Installment

Revisado: 08-14-18

Just as exciting and suspenseful as the first one! I find it very interesting and unusual the way the Graham siblings always manage to help foil the bad guys without any real idea of what's going on. It feels pretty realistic, but it's definitely different from your normal mystery. :D

I enjoyed the way the kids' different personalities still came out in all their teamwork; they never felt like carbon copies of each other. I also appreciated the fact that they seemed a bit more cautious in this one--taking key adults into their confidence and not usually putting themselves right in the way of trouble. But have we learned the dangers of splitting up? I sure have! Poor Matt... ;)

Probably my favorite piece of this one was George, the lighthouse keeper, and his comments on and reactions to the kids' constant coming and going from his lighthouse. XD

Listened to this one on audiobook as well and really enjoyed the narrator again. He did a great job of keeping things exciting without seeming over-the-top or annoying.

Content--some intense action and danger *spoiler*including a car wreck and a gunshot fired toward a group of young people*spoiler*

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Very Well-Written But Couldn't Finish

Revisado: 07-25-18

I was so disappointed that I wasn't able to finish this book. The writing was excellent, the characters were believable, the conflict was riveting, but I really, really have a problem with profanity in my reading. Honestly, I gave this book more grace than most because of the historical context, but when I hit the third instance about 3/5 of the way in, I had to put it down.

I really mean it when I say I was very sad not to finish it. The writing was amazing; it felt more like reading a period book than a modern historical fiction, with none of the awkwardness that often comes when modern writers try to emulate an older style. The omniscient POV flowed really well without giving the feeling of head-hopping. The dialogue felt both realistic for the period and natural to the characters, which is a very rare thing for books in this setting--especially with the Quaker speech thrown in. Overall, I was very, very impressed with the writing style.

The characters came across very realistic, and I felt like I understood most of their feelings and conclusions, even when I didn't always agree with them. And while I didn't understand absolutely everyone, those that I didn't understand didn't feel like badly-drawn characters--more like the people you meet in real life and wonder, "What on earth were they thinking?" Some of their motivations might also have become clearer if I'd read all the way to the end.

The setting felt absolutely spot-on and made me consider new aspects of what life would have been like during the Revolution--people still going about their business, sometimes affected by the war and sometimes not. I thought the author captured that balance extremely well. All the complexity with the split in the Quaker church was quite interesting. I've read just a little about Quaker doctrine (some of which I agree with and some of which I don't), but I was a little taken aback at the use of "the inner light" to the complete exclusion of even the name of God. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but it did bother me a little.

If not for the profanities, I'd have given this at least a solid four star rating at the time that I stopped. Please note that the low rating is entirely based on my personal preferences and convictions, not on the quality of the story or the writing. The book is very well done; I just can't in good conscience recommend it.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.

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So Sweet

Revisado: 07-11-18

Oh, this book was so, so sweet! <3

I think one of my favorite things about this story was how very realistic it felt. The way Lissa's emotions swung and swirled between hope and dread, excitement and confusion felt so spot-on and true to life. I usually have a hard time with books where characters have conflicting or back-and-forth emotions, but in this case, it endeared Lissa to me all the more. Her emotions never felt arbitrary or contrived for the sake of plot or conflict; instead, they felt like the very real struggles of a girl trying to adapt to change and longing but fearing to cling to something true and constant. I haven't had firsthand experience with the foster care system, but I know people who have, and I thought the timelines and other similar details were much more realistically portrayed than in a number of other books. Along with lending an air of realism, the foster care angle really helped to drive quite a bit of Lissa's internal conflict, not just in her past but in her present and future, which I really enjoyed.

Leigh was such a wonderful brother--so protective and loving while still being a regular boy. I would really have loved to get a few more scenes from his perspective, since I was intrigued every time we got a glimpse of his thoughts and attitudes. On the outside, he was much stronger than Lissa, but on the inside, he struggled with a lot of the same doubts and insecurities. Overall, he definitely fascinated me!

And of course the family--they were all so sweet, but not without the inevitable temperament clashes or slightly-overwhelming presence. Again, it felt so realistic, and even though I would probably have fit into this particular home without any trouble, I immediately sympathized with shy, quiet Lissa trying to figure out where she belonged in all the noise and bustle.

The spiritual thread felt very natural and not in any way forced. I actually thought the story was ending about eight chapters before it actually did, but I'm so glad it kept going after what would have been an obvious place to stop. And honestly, it added once again to the realism of the story. But I love the fact that with all the realism, the tone is one of love and hope and belonging. "He places the lonely in families" is one of my favorite Scripture quotes, and I loved seeing it included here. <3

My only real complaint was that the story ended pretty abruptly, and I would have at least liked to see Lissa's reaction to the final conversation. I also had a bit of a hard time keeping Leigh and Lissa in my mind as 14, but I think that may have had more to do with the audiobook narration than the writing. (Not criticising the narration as a whole, which was very good; I just felt like the voices used for the twins made them sound a bit younger than they were meant to be.)

4.5 stars, and one of my favorites from Rebekah Morris so far!

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Another Fast-Paced Ride!

Revisado: 06-20-18

And the action and intensity just keeps rising! This book moves at just about lightning speed, and things are less predictable than ever! Chases, escapes--or is it near-escapes?, discoveries, revelations, separations, reunitings, and the list goes on...

Take my word, you cannot skip around in this book! Who will end up where with which allies, which enemies, and which pieces of the puzzle is up in the air more than a ping-pong ball. We're drawing close to the end of the quest, but there's still so much to happen, and with plot twists thrown in left and right, the path is never as easy as originally planned. Was there actually an original plan? Because the action is so non-stop that there's barely time to study any of the clues. But I love the fact that they wind back around and pop up in random places after you'd all but forgotten them.

The spiritual theme has definitely come to the forefront, and in this book, it does get tied solidly to a name for the all-important book (the Bible) and a name for the person the kids know as Rescuer (Jesus). There are strong messages of sharing your faith and of loving and sacrificing for your enemies. And speaking of enemies, I actually found myself having compassion and even hope for a few people who had previously only been rotten adversaries and tormentors. I don't know how far those cracks will be developed in the final book, but it's interesting to see how my attitude has changed in just this volume.

I love the addition of Ashley and some of Obbin's siblings to the team. Obbin himself has gotten a little reckless for his own good, but it's great to see the way Austin's settled down and become a valued and trusted asset to the mission. The guy/warrior thing with Austin and Oliver near the end--so cute and perfectly boyish at the same time! (As in, boys would kill me for calling it cute. :D)

Now I'm back to waiting for the release of Hope--sometime this year, I think? It can't get here fast enough for me!!!

Most of the audio quality was great, but there was one instance of overlapping audio and one planet name where the narrator switched back and forth between pronunciations. Not saying that I know how to pronounce these planet names, but it's at least nice to have them consistent. ;)

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