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A review by aunt13soc1al
Blackwood by Gwenda Bond
4.0
I read a review of vN on The Little Red Reviewer and discovered a new publishing house, Angry Robot. While I found numerous books on their site to review, I came across their YA imprint, Strange Chemistry, during a NetGalley search. And there I found Blackwood. Fully aware that you never know what you'll get, I requested a chance to review it and was approved. I have seen some early reviews from other bloggers who didn't know the story of Roanoke Island and the Lost Colony. However, I recall my fascination with this historical event from my grade school history courses. A modern-day tale that revolves around this story? I'm in!
I was not disappointed. The story is well-written, intriguing, and the teen romance wasn't overdone. I never visited Roanoke Island, but I imagine that having read these detailed descriptions, that I would feel I'd been there before when I do get there. Bond pulls you into the story of Miranda Blackwood. Of course she's cursed, this is a YA paranormal romance, but Bond weaves her into a believable character trapped on the island as a stage hand for the local theater company and taking care of her father, the town drunk. Miranda views her life as the same day over and over again stretching out for the rest of her life. Until she sees the ship, but she's the only one. That's when the story starts to build and you can't put the book down.
People disappear and that is only the beginning. Can Miranda bring them back since she's the one that can see the mysterious ship? What about her family's curse and the mark her father bears? No sooner do the people disappear than Phillips, the romantic interest who can also hear voices, comes back to the island. He is not your typical bad-boy, and at times it's hard not to side with his decisions to abandon the island for a private school on the mainland.
I can't say the cover is worthy of the book, but the story within the end pages is worth a read. It's not out until later this year, but put it on your radar. And if you've never heard of the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island, do some reading and I'm sure you'll be intrigued for a modern tale revolving around the disappearance.
I was not disappointed. The story is well-written, intriguing, and the teen romance wasn't overdone. I never visited Roanoke Island, but I imagine that having read these detailed descriptions, that I would feel I'd been there before when I do get there. Bond pulls you into the story of Miranda Blackwood. Of course she's cursed, this is a YA paranormal romance, but Bond weaves her into a believable character trapped on the island as a stage hand for the local theater company and taking care of her father, the town drunk. Miranda views her life as the same day over and over again stretching out for the rest of her life. Until she sees the ship, but she's the only one. That's when the story starts to build and you can't put the book down.
People disappear and that is only the beginning. Can Miranda bring them back since she's the one that can see the mysterious ship? What about her family's curse and the mark her father bears? No sooner do the people disappear than Phillips, the romantic interest who can also hear voices, comes back to the island. He is not your typical bad-boy, and at times it's hard not to side with his decisions to abandon the island for a private school on the mainland.
I can't say the cover is worthy of the book, but the story within the end pages is worth a read. It's not out until later this year, but put it on your radar. And if you've never heard of the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island, do some reading and I'm sure you'll be intrigued for a modern tale revolving around the disappearance.