Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
THIS is what historical fiction is supposed to be!
Patti Callahan has yet to let me down. She is a meticulous researcher, and an alluring writer. This dual timeline novel sucked me in from the first lines. Unraveling the mystery of the sinking of the “Titanic of the South” was catnip, and I simply could not get enough. Throw in messy, dramatic, family dynamics, and a little romance. We have a perfect book. I could not stop reading this one.
Patti Callahan has yet to let me down. She is a meticulous researcher, and an alluring writer. This dual timeline novel sucked me in from the first lines. Unraveling the mystery of the sinking of the “Titanic of the South” was catnip, and I simply could not get enough. Throw in messy, dramatic, family dynamics, and a little romance. We have a perfect book. I could not stop reading this one.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
The best part of this book was the historical notes. The story of the steamboat Pulaski was fascinating. Unfortunately, I found the modern story line trite. I wish the author had just told the worries of Augusta and Lilly.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
yeah yeah yet ANOTHER dual timeline historical, sighhh - but I ended up enjoying it. I wanted to read it because it's about Savannah, Georgia, and includes a main character who is a museum curator. I couldn't help myself. The doomed Pulaski storyline was riveting and the hunt for stories behind the artifacts (and family papers) was fun, plus I really appreciated the author's take on handling grief. All of that got me past the eye rolly parts - the predictable romance and the unnecessary genetic tie-ins, oh well.
Of the three books I've read by Callahan, this is my favorite.
Of the three books I've read by Callahan, this is my favorite.
emotional
informative
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Car accident
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Rape
adventurous
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
So captivating. I struggled to put it down several times and ended up finishing it at 2am. I sometimes struggle with books that follow two timeliness at once, but this one kept it fresh and enticing. I enjoyed the parallels of following the passengers on the boat and the main character. I also found the general theme of "surviving the surviving" very interesting material. There were a few cringey moments of dialogue that felt very unrealistic, but altogether I really enjoyed it.