A review by sfbookgirl
Vera by Carol Edgarian

adventurous dark emotional reflective tense medium-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

5.0

What a masterpiece! Set during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Vera is a book that will pull at your heartstrings. 15-year-old Vera Johnson has grown up straddling two mothers: her adoptive mother and the other, her biological mother who refuses to give Vera the intimacy and love she desires. On the day of the quake, Vera is forced to navigate her rocky future without her mothers by her side. But luckily, she has a few unexpected acquaintances to help her along the way. 
 
This book is a beautiful and vivid love letter to the resilient city of San Francisco. I loved Vera’s story because I grew up (and still live) in the Bay Area. Furthermore, Edgarian paints the city and its residents with such strength and bravery. The story is well-researched and it references key landmarks from a perspective that only an SF resident would notice. Vera is an incredible story with grit, perseverance, and love. I definitely recommend checking this one out!
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