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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
So I finally read this book and it's nothing like I expected, but still amazing!
Historical fiction, YA, adventure
Who knew there was another Gold Rush down south before there was one in California?!
I love reading great HF when I also learn so much! Our girl is strong and smart and strong again.
The wagon trains going west were so grueling and dangerous, I can't believe that so many did it.
Historical fiction, YA, adventure
Who knew there was another Gold Rush down south before there was one in California?!
I love reading great HF when I also learn so much! Our girl is strong and smart and strong again.
The wagon trains going west were so grueling and dangerous, I can't believe that so many did it.
3.5 stars.
A good solid start to this series, but I'm just not head over heels in love with it the way I was for [b:The Girl of Fire and Thorns|10429092|The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1)|Rae Carson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323448113s/10429092.jpg|13282366]. But I suspect I might be by book 3, because one thing I loved about Carson's previous trilogy was the character growth along the way.
I really like Lee, she's a great main character. But I never felt particularly connected to anyone else in the story until close to the end. There's this whole found family bit right at the very end that almost had me in tears and I loved it a lot, though.
Still, parts of it felt really slow and dry--but maybe that's the point, with the whole traveling to California thing. But it lagged for me in a way I don't remember with her other books.
I appreciated how Carson never shied away from the hard-hitting realities. The journey is not an easy one and people die, some of them shockingly. And despite my quibbles with it, I'm definitely looking forward to book 2!
A good solid start to this series, but I'm just not head over heels in love with it the way I was for [b:The Girl of Fire and Thorns|10429092|The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1)|Rae Carson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323448113s/10429092.jpg|13282366]. But I suspect I might be by book 3, because one thing I loved about Carson's previous trilogy was the character growth along the way.
I really like Lee, she's a great main character. But I never felt particularly connected to anyone else in the story until close to the end. There's this whole found family bit right at the very end that almost had me in tears and I loved it a lot, though.
Still, parts of it felt really slow and dry--but maybe that's the point, with the whole traveling to California thing. But it lagged for me in a way I don't remember with her other books.
I appreciated how Carson never shied away from the hard-hitting realities. The journey is not an easy one and people die, some of them shockingly. And despite my quibbles with it, I'm definitely looking forward to book 2!
Loved this book so much! If anyone is interested in reading a YA Oregon Trail book, look no farther.
Just, WOW! I love this book. It took me a little while to finally dive into it, but i'm so glad that I did. This story is just amazing, the flow was nice and easy to follow. The direction was amazing and i'm still just in awe of how it was done. Just a fantastic read. I cannot wait for book 2!
Lee is such a badass, viciously amazing female character.
Lee is such a badass, viciously amazing female character.
I really had high hopes for this book and I was sure it would be a great start to a fantasy trilogy. However, this really is not fantasy at all, in my opinion. This was historical fiction with a tiny bit of magical realism and I was just so bored by this. The whole story is basically a group of people on their journey to California. I'm not the biggest fan of this and I really would not have read it, had I known it lacked fantastical elements completely.
Really loved this book! Don't normally pick up historical fiction but I couldn't put it down. Strong female character and loved all the action. Brought me back to my early reading days of Little House on the Prairie but way better!
What if you could sense gold? Your body tingles, and sometimes it's hard to breathe? Your parents know, but your Daddy is ill and your mama well...she prefers that it just not exist. As the only child, you are the one responsible for making sure everything around the claim is taken care of - so even though you're a girl, you can shoot straighter, track farther, and work harder than many boys your age. But then...danger comes calling, and in order to stay true to yourself, you have to become someone else and leave everything you've ever known.
This is the story of Leah Westfall, a 15-year-old girl from Georgia. The year is 1849, the gold "rush" in Georgia is tapped out, but everyone is talking about California being the next big thing. Wagon trains are leaving, sometimes several in one day. People are heading west, hoping to outrun their past, strike it rich, have their own land...the reasons are as varied as the people. Death stalks those wagon trains as well, in forms both surprising and not. In the middle of all of this, Leah learns who she is, and that family isn't always blood.
This is an unusual fantasy novel, in that there is actually very little typical fantasy. Cold, hard reality based on history is the majority, even though the main character has her own magic. The fact that this is the first in a planned trilogy is excellent, because it will be interesting to see where the author takes the story. I suppose it could be argued that history is its own magic, and in this case, that would be correct. The slight intertwining of the power that Leah has just emphasizes that even more.
As for the writing itself, it would appeal to young adult audiences, as well as adult. There are a few descriptions that are very blunt, but nothing sexual or crude - more to do with the everyday dangers faced on the trail. Depending on the audience, this book could be an excellent resource for a homeschooling unit, as well as just a great conversation-starter about the fascinating history encompassed by this period of time.
I will be looking forward to reading the second book in the series, and plan to share this one with my friends.
This is the story of Leah Westfall, a 15-year-old girl from Georgia. The year is 1849, the gold "rush" in Georgia is tapped out, but everyone is talking about California being the next big thing. Wagon trains are leaving, sometimes several in one day. People are heading west, hoping to outrun their past, strike it rich, have their own land...the reasons are as varied as the people. Death stalks those wagon trains as well, in forms both surprising and not. In the middle of all of this, Leah learns who she is, and that family isn't always blood.
This is an unusual fantasy novel, in that there is actually very little typical fantasy. Cold, hard reality based on history is the majority, even though the main character has her own magic. The fact that this is the first in a planned trilogy is excellent, because it will be interesting to see where the author takes the story. I suppose it could be argued that history is its own magic, and in this case, that would be correct. The slight intertwining of the power that Leah has just emphasizes that even more.
As for the writing itself, it would appeal to young adult audiences, as well as adult. There are a few descriptions that are very blunt, but nothing sexual or crude - more to do with the everyday dangers faced on the trail. Depending on the audience, this book could be an excellent resource for a homeschooling unit, as well as just a great conversation-starter about the fascinating history encompassed by this period of time.
I will be looking forward to reading the second book in the series, and plan to share this one with my friends.
I really enjoyed this story. I liked how realistic the journey was - reminded me of the Oregon Trail games I played as a child. The survival story was great. It made me attached to the people she met along the way. I thought it was great to bring in the following topics: race, slavery, gender, female friendships, etc. I can't wait for the next book!
