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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
This book wraps up the best YA historical fiction that I've ever read. It keeps the appeal of YA with the coming-of-age and romantic themes, but it capitalizes on the history and the unique perspective of having former child slaves as the main characters. It is obvious that Anderson did her homework and incorporated so many historical details to paint an accurate portrayal of our country's early history as told from the eyes of marginalized teenagers. While Forge was still my favorite, I think Ashes did a nice job of wrapping up the series and letting us complete the journey with these characters.
A great end to the series. Anderson deftly weaves the story lines together allowing for readers to come to their own conclusions as to what happens to the characters after the War.
I'm so glad I finished this series, for Ashes was my favorite! Curzon and Isabel are finally together again, and Isabel thinks everything is looking up when she finds Ruth. Ruth, however, has changed. She barely seems to recognize Isabel, and when Isabel wants to leave with her, she refuses. When Ruth finally agrees, it's only because her friend Aberdeen is allowed to go with them. What follows is more adventure, heartache, and important realizations for them all. What a wonderful end to a trilogy I will never forget.
This third book of the Seeds of America was a quieter story than the first two volumes. Not as much excitement, but it did have the honor of wrapping up the story in a very satisfying way. Ruth is found, the war ends, and the fates of Isabel and Curzon are decided. Of course, we can know that, despite being free, Isabel, Curzon and Ruth will not have an easy existence. Even if they were not enslaved, the life of a black person in the early days of America would never have been as good as, and certainly would not be on equal footing with even the poorest of white settlers. Still, with freedom, at least they had a fighting chance. Wonderful end to a wonderful trilogy. All kids should read this series for a very human and realistic perspective on both the Revolutionary War and slavery in America.
the ending was not good in this one. I did like how the characters showed that they learned a lot during that period of time in their life. I like Isabelle more because she is more interesting and does more action.
Great Ending for the series
This was the best way the book could have ended. It allows the reader to hope that everyone lived happily ever after
This was the best way the book could have ended. It allows the reader to hope that everyone lived happily ever after
I loved this book and the trilogy. I am a huge historical fiction person. You would think the author was strictly a historical fiction writer because she writes it so well. I loved how the book was set in a font that was similar to what was printed in the 1770's. I can't really describe why this series was so good, but I'll try. The characters actually spoke pretty accurately for the time period (many historical fiction books just use modern English). But she didn't use the language in a way that made it hard to understand. The characters were not one note, which is refreshing. They all had good and bad traits. Many of them wanted the same thing, whether they believed in the Patriot or Loyalist cause. The author has a way of enveloping you in her stories. I think some writers have it and some don't; she definitely has it. I hope to see more historical fiction from Laurie Halse Anderson.
What a book! Not only is the writing, plotting, and character development beautifully done, Laurie Halse Anderson takes the central problem and manages it in a truly delicate but balanced way.
I was wondering how she would wrap up the issue of Isabel and Curzon's standing in for the hypocritical, horrifying tension between the Revolutionaries fighting for "freedom" while also enslaving people. Anderson weaves her resolution in with excellent character growth in both sides, allowing us to see how some people didn't make peace with the issue, but accepted the reality of what it (unfortunately) takes to get freedom.
This book (as were all of them) was difficult to read at times. Each chapter opens with a quote from someone during this time period. Some of these folks are anti-slavery, others are pro, and many of them say they are one thing while displaying actions that are of another. It's difficult to sit with, especially as we can't help but hope for the success of Curzon and Isabel's goals, which are often tied to the Patriots'! Yet we know that true "freedom" (in this case, I'm going with "won't be recaptured and sold officially into bondage" as the freedom definition) doesn't occur for another century, long after Isabel and Curzon have the opportunity to achieve it in all thirteen colonies. But Anderson deftly doesn't hide from these realities, and affords nobody any historical covering up of their misdeeds. She even manages to speak a little bit to the Native Americans and where they were and what they were doing and what they likely deserved and were promised and didn't receive.
Truly, a book and series worth reading.
I was wondering how she would wrap up the issue of Isabel and Curzon's standing in for the hypocritical, horrifying tension between the Revolutionaries fighting for "freedom" while also enslaving people. Anderson weaves her resolution in with excellent character growth in both sides, allowing us to see how some people didn't make peace with the issue, but accepted the reality of what it (unfortunately) takes to get freedom.
This book (as were all of them) was difficult to read at times. Each chapter opens with a quote from someone during this time period. Some of these folks are anti-slavery, others are pro, and many of them say they are one thing while displaying actions that are of another. It's difficult to sit with, especially as we can't help but hope for the success of Curzon and Isabel's goals, which are often tied to the Patriots'! Yet we know that true "freedom" (in this case, I'm going with "won't be recaptured and sold officially into bondage" as the freedom definition) doesn't occur for another century, long after Isabel and Curzon have the opportunity to achieve it in all thirteen colonies. But Anderson deftly doesn't hide from these realities, and affords nobody any historical covering up of their misdeeds. She even manages to speak a little bit to the Native Americans and where they were and what they were doing and what they likely deserved and were promised and didn't receive.
Truly, a book and series worth reading.