March, 2017

“The Life She Was Given” by Ellen Marie Wiseman         

Lilly had been locked away in her parents attic since birth. When the circus sets up nearby, her mother sells her to the circus, determined to send her "monster" child away. Over twenty years later, Julia inherits her parents estate and horse farm. When she finds a hidden attic room and a handful of circus photos, she begins to investigate, slowly unraveling her family's secrets.         

This was an absolutely fascinating book. I don't want to give anything away, so I'm leaving my synopsis a bit vague. The alternating storylines between Lilly and Julia worked extremely well. The stories unraveled at a quick pace, the plot interesting from beginning to end. Overall, highly recommended.

“The Library of Light and Shadow”M by M. J. Rose         

Delphine is an artist. Her specialty, shadow portraits. During these sittings, she paints with a blindfold on, her art uncovering the secret of her sitter. After one of her paintings creates a scandal, Delphine's brother arrives in New York, determined to take her back home to France. Despite her desire to give up shadow portraits, her brother cajoles her into painting once more.         

I generally enjoy M. J. Rose's books. However, I really disliked Delphine and her brother. Delphine came across as a whiner, someone completely dependent on others, and unwilling to help herself. Sebastian also seemed a stereotype, one who put his own interests before anyone else. Although this book was a bust, I look forward to reading the next book from this author.

"The Baker's Secret" by Stephen P. Kiernan         

During WWII, Emma does everything she can to keep the villagers in her small French town alive. She mixes sawdust with flour in order to make secret loaves of bread. She barters for medicine, soap, and other goods - anything to keep the town alive.         

This book was written in a detached, almost flat, way. Emma didn't really have a "voice." I think the story would have been more powerful if it had been written in a first person point of view. Overall, not a bad book, just not one I would re-read.

“The Underground River” by Martha Conway         

When May's cousin Comfort abandons her to work as a face for the abolitionists, May finds work as a seamstress upon a riverboat theater. Where she once relied upon Comfort to interact with other people, she is forced to develop her own voice and viewpoints and learn to become part of a group. The people who live and work on the riverboat are a mottled assortment, full of personality and life. As May is finally learning to trust herself and others, her cousin's benefactress approaches her, asking her to ferry the newborn children of slaves across the river to freedom.

     This was a fun, lively story. Although a bit predictable, the characters were interesting and dynamic. May was a bit naive and slow to grow, but overall she was a likeable character. I think this book would be a big hit under I would definitely pick up another book by this author.

“The Lost History of Stars” by Dave Boling         

While Aletta's father, grandfather and brother are off fighting the British, she is rounded up with her mother and younger siblings and taken from their home in South Africa to a concentration camp. Set during the Boer War, this book shows the horrible and outrageous conditions that the Afrikaner women and children were forced into.         

This book was haunting. It read like non-fiction I know very little about the Boer War, and even less about the concentration camp conditions. I highly recommend this book, it is definitely a must read.