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babyleo's review
5.0
Note: I was provided a copy of this book for review.
I definitely thought I was at a disadvantage when reading this book by not realising it was the sixth in the series, but Belfrage writes in such a way that if you pay close attention you do get told the key moments in their story that you have missed. By piecing together references and casual remarks the story and events of the previous books are made clear. Granted this isn’t in any detailed or complicated way, but it is enough, enabling you to enjoy and understand the current one.
As a result, even if you haven’t read the others, you still get intensely involved in the story and being so far into the series it could almost be a novel on its own, with only a more detailed back story required. As a continuation on the other hand, I can see it as a great addition to the saga, continuing the story of Alex and her family with real situations, events, continuity, and consequences.
There are great, complicated, and detailed characters that bring this story to life. Each character has their own story to tell and their own life to lead but they are all connected together so well. Belfrage manages to be detailed but not overbearing with information and despite the numerous characters, there is no confusion and it is fairly easy to keep track of who everyone is and what their role is.
From the beginning of the book there is a feeling of something big developing and it grows steadily, snowballing to a gripping end through a narrative that is engaging, fast-paced, and at times emotional for numerous reasons. There are shocks and harsh realities, and some things that are very adult, brutal, and violent, something that may not appeal to everyone, but it is not without purpose and all of varying degrees. The characters are tough though and you see their strength and determination shine through with every obstacle that is thrown at them, no matter the size or severity. I don’t think you need to have been invested in these characters for five books beforehand to understand who they are, Belfrage demonstrates their strength and vulnerability so well, whether it is for simple things, the brutal, or the heartbreaking.
The historical aspects are well researched, and while I know little of American history, especially colonial times, there are minute details that bring this story together and add realism to the time travelling aspect. With so much happening there is never any real certainty of what will happen next, and with so many characters, each with their own troubles it means that surprises are always in store.
Belfrage has created a fascinating and captivating story filled with characters that you come to know, admire, and love. It is definitely a story that makes me want to go back to the start of the series and be introduced to Alex from the very beginning. From what is hinted at and mentioned in this book it is certainly a unique and mysterious journey but with an added danger as well, and one that is never truly forgotten.
A longer version of this review was posted on my blog http://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/2014/10/02/revenge-and-retribution-6-by-anna-belfrage/
I definitely thought I was at a disadvantage when reading this book by not realising it was the sixth in the series, but Belfrage writes in such a way that if you pay close attention you do get told the key moments in their story that you have missed. By piecing together references and casual remarks the story and events of the previous books are made clear. Granted this isn’t in any detailed or complicated way, but it is enough, enabling you to enjoy and understand the current one.
As a result, even if you haven’t read the others, you still get intensely involved in the story and being so far into the series it could almost be a novel on its own, with only a more detailed back story required. As a continuation on the other hand, I can see it as a great addition to the saga, continuing the story of Alex and her family with real situations, events, continuity, and consequences.
There are great, complicated, and detailed characters that bring this story to life. Each character has their own story to tell and their own life to lead but they are all connected together so well. Belfrage manages to be detailed but not overbearing with information and despite the numerous characters, there is no confusion and it is fairly easy to keep track of who everyone is and what their role is.
From the beginning of the book there is a feeling of something big developing and it grows steadily, snowballing to a gripping end through a narrative that is engaging, fast-paced, and at times emotional for numerous reasons. There are shocks and harsh realities, and some things that are very adult, brutal, and violent, something that may not appeal to everyone, but it is not without purpose and all of varying degrees. The characters are tough though and you see their strength and determination shine through with every obstacle that is thrown at them, no matter the size or severity. I don’t think you need to have been invested in these characters for five books beforehand to understand who they are, Belfrage demonstrates their strength and vulnerability so well, whether it is for simple things, the brutal, or the heartbreaking.
The historical aspects are well researched, and while I know little of American history, especially colonial times, there are minute details that bring this story together and add realism to the time travelling aspect. With so much happening there is never any real certainty of what will happen next, and with so many characters, each with their own troubles it means that surprises are always in store.
Belfrage has created a fascinating and captivating story filled with characters that you come to know, admire, and love. It is definitely a story that makes me want to go back to the start of the series and be introduced to Alex from the very beginning. From what is hinted at and mentioned in this book it is certainly a unique and mysterious journey but with an added danger as well, and one that is never truly forgotten.
A longer version of this review was posted on my blog http://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/2014/10/02/revenge-and-retribution-6-by-anna-belfrage/
abookishaffair's review
4.0
You all know how I like reading about local places, right? When I heard that Anna Belfrage's Graham Saga took place in the colony of Maryland (Maryland, my Maryland!!!), I knew that I had to jump on the tour for the latest book in this series, "Revenge and Retribution." This was a great tour for me to jump on for sure! I really enjoyed this book and while it works perfectly fine as a stand alone novel, I really wish that I would have had the opportunity to read the first five books in the Graham Saga first! Alas, I must fix that in the future. For now, this book made for a great introduction.
In "Revenge and Retribution," time traveling Alex finds herself having lived in the colony of Maryland for a couple decades by now. She and her lovely Scottish born husband, Matthew, have several children, some of whom are fully grown. The story discusses their lives and really centers a lot on how Alex and Matthew are coping with their children growing and carving out lives for themselves, to include Samuel, their son, who is torn between living his life in the colonial town or in the wilderness with the Native Americans (called Indians in this book, of course) who surround the town. His plight was really fascinating to me.
This book was set in a really interesting time where there were a lot of questions about religion in Maryland. Maryland was actually established as a haven for Catholics but this book really shows how many questions there were about whether or not that should remain during the late 1600s. The book also centers on the great fear that witches were present in that time period. Anyone labelled a witch during that time was in great danger as Alex quickly realizes! I loved the element of historical detail in this book. I loved learning a little bit of new information about my state! Overall, this was a very good story that I ate up!
In "Revenge and Retribution," time traveling Alex finds herself having lived in the colony of Maryland for a couple decades by now. She and her lovely Scottish born husband, Matthew, have several children, some of whom are fully grown. The story discusses their lives and really centers a lot on how Alex and Matthew are coping with their children growing and carving out lives for themselves, to include Samuel, their son, who is torn between living his life in the colonial town or in the wilderness with the Native Americans (called Indians in this book, of course) who surround the town. His plight was really fascinating to me.
This book was set in a really interesting time where there were a lot of questions about religion in Maryland. Maryland was actually established as a haven for Catholics but this book really shows how many questions there were about whether or not that should remain during the late 1600s. The book also centers on the great fear that witches were present in that time period. Anyone labelled a witch during that time was in great danger as Alex quickly realizes! I loved the element of historical detail in this book. I loved learning a little bit of new information about my state! Overall, this was a very good story that I ate up!
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