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graceannee's review against another edition
3.0
'Walk on Earth a Stranger' is about Leah , a girl with the ability to sense gold in her surroundings. One day When Leah comes home she discovers her parents have been murdered and the secret stash of gold has been stolen. shortly thereafter her Uncle just shows up. He announces himself as her new guardian and moves into her house. Somehow Leahs uncle knows about her ability and intends to exploit it during the gold rush. After finding this out Leah makes plans to escape. She steals a horse, cuts her hair and changes her name. Masquerading as Lee she makes her way to find Jeff, her best friend. Her journey is fraught with danger and people trying to use her.
I enjoyed this fresh time period for a YA book. It was a nice change compared to what I usually read. The writing was decent. I enjoyed the characters. I don't think I would read this again but I would look into other books by Rae Carson.
I enjoyed this fresh time period for a YA book. It was a nice change compared to what I usually read. The writing was decent. I enjoyed the characters. I don't think I would read this again but I would look into other books by Rae Carson.
dogmom198611's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
drymming's review against another edition
2.0
It wasn’t awful it was just boring and too slow… DNF at 25%
fatimareadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I've been hearing a lot about this book. Westerns are making a come back this year with books like [b:Vengeance Road|23719270|Vengeance Road (Vengeance Road, #1)|Erin Bowman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422925649s/23719270.jpg|41187933], [b:Under a Painted Sky|22501055|Under a Painted Sky|Stacey Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404520780s/22501055.jpg|26170310], and [b:Walk on Earth a Stranger|17564519|Walk on Earth a Stranger (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #1)|Rae Carson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1424451210s/17564519.jpg|24498341]. I never used to read them before, but I'm so glad they're back - I've been very into them lately.
At first, I thought this was a high fantasy book. I don't know why, maybe it was the vibe the fancy cover gave off or Rae Carson's other book - [b:The Girl of Fire and Thorns|10429092|The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1)|Rae Carson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1323448113s/10429092.jpg|13282366]. Imagine my surprise when I read the synopsis a few minutes before getting into the book and realizing it was Western.
This book got me out of a terrible reading slump, you know, that one after Queen of Shadows? Yeah. Anyway, let's just get into this review.
Leah Westfall has a secret - she's a gold witch. She can sense and dig up gold deep beneath the earth around her. But one day, her parents are murdered and she is forced to go west, to the land of plenty gold, where no one will think twice about her gold-finding skills. She disguises herself as a boy - Lee - and takes to the trail, fighting hardships and finding friends as she goes.
However, to top it all off, Lee is being chased by her parents' murderer so that he could control her and make a fortune off her. Damn.
This book gets a solid 4 stars from me because I think that it is a very great start to the trilogy. I didn't know this was going to be a trilogy until I finished the book, so I'm really pumped to see where things go! There are so many things I'd like to see happen and I'm sure we'll be seeing them as the series progresses.
The main character was so strong! Sure, she let herself cry but she wasn't weak. Our main character is fierce, smart, strong, and loyal. This is only the second Western book I've read but I've noticed these traits as a pattern in the genre - which really appeals to me. Strong characteristics in MCs are very essential to me and this book definitely did not disappoint.
Another thing I loved about this book was the slow-burn romance, I'm a sucker for these. They're painful but it all ends up totally worth it in the end when the characters get together. That makes me even more excited for book two!
There's just one teeny tiny issue I had with this book. The secondary characters weren't developed enough. I felt like they had potential to become something more, something more complex. However, they were just kind of... basic. I'm hoping we get more intricacy in the remaining books.
Other than that, this was a very enjoyable read and a great kick-starter to the trilogy! Solid, action-filled plot, slow-burn romance, and a fierce heroine. Everything you'd need in a book!
I've been hearing a lot about this book. Westerns are making a come back this year with books like [b:Vengeance Road|23719270|Vengeance Road (Vengeance Road, #1)|Erin Bowman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422925649s/23719270.jpg|41187933], [b:Under a Painted Sky|22501055|Under a Painted Sky|Stacey Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404520780s/22501055.jpg|26170310], and [b:Walk on Earth a Stranger|17564519|Walk on Earth a Stranger (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #1)|Rae Carson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1424451210s/17564519.jpg|24498341]. I never used to read them before, but I'm so glad they're back - I've been very into them lately.
At first, I thought this was a high fantasy book. I don't know why, maybe it was the vibe the fancy cover gave off or Rae Carson's other book - [b:The Girl of Fire and Thorns|10429092|The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1)|Rae Carson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1323448113s/10429092.jpg|13282366]. Imagine my surprise when I read the synopsis a few minutes before getting into the book and realizing it was Western.
This book got me out of a terrible reading slump, you know, that one after Queen of Shadows? Yeah. Anyway, let's just get into this review.
Leah Westfall has a secret - she's a gold witch. She can sense and dig up gold deep beneath the earth around her. But one day, her parents are murdered and she is forced to go west, to the land of plenty gold, where no one will think twice about her gold-finding skills. She disguises herself as a boy - Lee - and takes to the trail, fighting hardships and finding friends as she goes.
However, to top it all off, Lee is being chased by her parents' murderer so that he could control her and make a fortune off her. Damn.
This book gets a solid 4 stars from me because I think that it is a very great start to the trilogy. I didn't know this was going to be a trilogy until I finished the book, so I'm really pumped to see where things go! There are so many things I'd like to see happen and I'm sure we'll be seeing them as the series progresses.
The main character was so strong! Sure, she let herself cry but she wasn't weak. Our main character is fierce, smart, strong, and loyal. This is only the second Western book I've read but I've noticed these traits as a pattern in the genre - which really appeals to me. Strong characteristics in MCs are very essential to me and this book definitely did not disappoint.
Another thing I loved about this book was the slow-burn romance, I'm a sucker for these. They're painful but it all ends up totally worth it in the end when the characters get together. That makes me even more excited for book two!
There's just one teeny tiny issue I had with this book. The secondary characters weren't developed enough. I felt like they had potential to become something more, something more complex. However, they were just kind of... basic. I'm hoping we get more intricacy in the remaining books.
Other than that, this was a very enjoyable read and a great kick-starter to the trilogy! Solid, action-filled plot, slow-burn romance, and a fierce heroine. Everything you'd need in a book!
ynanutshell's review against another edition
4.0
Walk on Earth a Stranger felt a little slow from time to time but I'm going to pin that down on the fact that the few books I'd read before this one were very fast-paced. The ending was somewhat unsatisfactory; I don't think it should have ended there and in that way. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable, little read and I feel like I'd have been comfortable flipping through it from front to back in one sitting. Can't wait to read the next installment to Leah Westfall's story!
malinuknow's review against another edition
3.0
Hade förväntat mig att få se mer av hennes magi och inte endast resan hon gjorde... Tror inte jag kommer läsa nästa bok/böcker tyvärr.
autumn2001's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
sdloomer's review against another edition
3.0
--3/5 Stars--
One of the more unique books I've read in a while--though I was a little less impressed with its pacing. This is probably my first novel in the "Western" genre, and though the story is a little slow, it seemed to fit the plot perfectly: plodding seems like a most appropriate word to describe much of the prose here.
Not in a bad way though. We're treated to a fictional journey across most of the continental United States during one of the most fascinating times in its history--the California Gold Rush era--and I couldn't help but feel anxious. Forlorn. The "are-we-there-yet" feeling.
Most of the story is centered on Leah Westfall's relationships with her wagon train, instead of her "gift" (which I thought would be the focal point of the novel), and though most of them eventually even out (somewhat), I'm more excited to see what Uncle Hiram has to offer in the next installment. Not much was said about him; of course, we get a backstory--kind of--and maybe some glimpses, but nothing about any motives or plans.
Unfortunately, because of some other major releases coming these next few months, Like a River Glorious will most likely be put on the backburner for a while, but I'm curious to see how everyone starts their new lives in California. Farewell for now, Lee and Jeff!
One of the more unique books I've read in a while--though I was a little less impressed with its pacing. This is probably my first novel in the "Western" genre, and though the story is a little slow, it seemed to fit the plot perfectly: plodding seems like a most appropriate word to describe much of the prose here.
Not in a bad way though. We're treated to a fictional journey across most of the continental United States during one of the most fascinating times in its history--the California Gold Rush era--and I couldn't help but feel anxious. Forlorn. The "are-we-there-yet" feeling.
Most of the story is centered on Leah Westfall's relationships with her wagon train, instead of her "gift" (which I thought would be the focal point of the novel), and though most of them eventually even out (somewhat), I'm more excited to see what Uncle Hiram has to offer in the next installment. Not much was said about him; of course, we get a backstory--kind of--and maybe some glimpses, but nothing about any motives or plans.
Unfortunately, because of some other major releases coming these next few months, Like a River Glorious will most likely be put on the backburner for a while, but I'm curious to see how everyone starts their new lives in California. Farewell for now, Lee and Jeff!
roseleaf24's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed Carson's previous trilogy, but I knew this one would be an even better read for me from the first time I heard of it. It's been on my to-read list since before it was released; I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to get to it, but I'm sure glad I finally did. Leah can sense gold; she can feel its presence when it's near. So when the news of gold found in the new territory of California reaches her Georgia town, it sings to her. But it takes a tragedy and a great amount of fear to convince her to finally head West. This book is historical fiction with just a touch of fantasy, and it does both extremely well. I love reading about this time period, and these characters were so vivid and real. One benefit of waiting so long to read this is that I have the sequels already here, and I can't wait to dive back in.
whosevita's review against another edition
5.0
This book had all my favourite tropes. For starters it's a western. I love love love westerns. Especially ones that actually acknowledge all the things wrong with period and have a diverse cast. Then it has best friends to lover slowburn, a girl having to dress as a boy (especially in western settings such a fav of mine) a diverse set of characters, found family.
Ive been waiting for a 5 star read for so long and I cannot wait to read the rest.
The wild west was such a weird time in history and you can put the coolest band of people together. And this book delivered. It doesn't go deep enough to fully go into the societal problems but it goed in enough to show it care.
This is also my first read about the California Gold Rush. The plot about Lee being able to find gold was the least interesting thing to me, though I loveeee that premise. It was of course magical, but it was still blended very well in this otherwhise realistic book. It reminded me a lot of "Not A Drop To Drink" in that sense.
This book was like the Larry McMurtry of YA western. And god knows I love McMurtry.
Ive been waiting for a 5 star read for so long and I cannot wait to read the rest.
The wild west was such a weird time in history and you can put the coolest band of people together. And this book delivered. It doesn't go deep enough to fully go into the societal problems but it goed in enough to show it care.
This is also my first read about the California Gold Rush. The plot about Lee being able to find gold was the least interesting thing to me, though I loveeee that premise. It was of course magical, but it was still blended very well in this otherwhise realistic book. It reminded me a lot of "Not A Drop To Drink" in that sense.
This book was like the Larry McMurtry of YA western. And god knows I love McMurtry.