YA Historical Fiction | indiereadergirl0329

Love is Neverending for the Believers: Endless by Amanda Gray Book Review

October 21, 2013

Indiereadergirl Book reviews Amanda Gray, book review, Endless, Four Stars, Month9Books, newly released, time travel, YA Fantasy, YA Historical Fiction 8 Comments

Endless

By: Amanda Gray

Released September, 2013 from Month9Books, LLC

Length: 384 Pages

Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal with a mix of Historical Fiction (Romanov Era)

Rating: Four Stars

Jenny Kramer was accustomed to seeing visions from just a simple touch, but when the visions start to involve Maria Romanov and becomes intertwined with her real life, Jenny has to find out what the connection between Maria and her is. And, why a boy from her visions seems very much alive next door to her. She’s can’t seem to stop herself from being drawn from him, either. Is it love? Is it Real?

For a majority of her life, it is just been Jenny Kramer and her architect dad since her mother died when she was young. Although she is close with her dad, the details surrounding her mom are vague. Jenny can’t remember anything about her. All she knew was her mother would disappear for periods of time without saying why. Jenny never pushed her dad for details, but when a figure from her dreams not only sneaks into the paintings Jenny made for an exhibit, but appears in the abandoned manor next door, Jenny starts to question who her mother really was. Why did she have a ring that resembles that of a secret organization in her town that helps people out of time. And, what is out of time? There are so many questions Jenny needs to find the answers for. The first, why the man resembles a boy, Nikolai from the Romanov Era? And, why he calls her Maria, the girl she is in her dream? Is she related to a Romanov?

There were so many layers to this novel that I can’t do them justice. So much intrigue. I loved the historical aspect. It brought anew twist to the paranormal/fantasy aspect in the novel. I enjoyed that the chosen period wasn’t that of the Tudors, or the like, but of the Russian Romanovs that have such a sad history. It made the book seem less cliche; Romanovs aren’t usually on the top of peoples radar. Gray was able to weave together the tragic end of the Romanovs, focusing on Maria Romanov, into a timeless love story. Jenny/Maria was a strong character. The love story between her and the mysterious Nikolai was great. It wasn’t a love that was forced down the reader’s throat because it is supposed to be true love. It was natural; believable in the intensity for once. The way Nikolai finds Jenny/Maria was awe-inducing. I didn’t cry over their love, but of all the true love YA books out there, this has to be one of the most original; and sweet, heart-warming, and not creepy in a It is Young Adult, but didn’t always feel like that which was refreshing. You didn’t think about how old the characters were. There was no High School moment. They were never in classrooms that would remind you you were reading a YA book. It all felt contemporary; and, the age irrelevant. I am never a huge fan of reading soulmate books, but this one was one I would read again. It all felt more authentic than others.

The dialogue in this novel wasn’t the writers’ strong point, but it was enjoyable enough that I didn’t want to skip many pages. I loved the plot the best; the way it unfolded it a gradual pace that allowed me to hang on to my seat for a little while. I was definitely surprised, or shocked, at certain plot twists that I enjoyed. All the plot twists, or layers, were great. I really found this novel to be unique and original. Since Amanda Grace is a duo, I thought maybe I would read parts that belonged to one author and not the other, like some collaborations read. Not here. The novel was completely fluid, with no real style changes. The book may seem to be a little long at a little under 400 pages, but reading it feels like it is much shorter. I just kept turning the page as each twist appeared, an aw love moment would happen, and a funny line would appear. I loved this novel.

I highly recommend this book. Just read it. You will want more. There is a slight cliff hanger, but I couldn’t find out if it is part of a series. Makes me love it even more that it was so good I want a second one. I’m not even a real fan of series. It was that enjoyable for me. I want to find out more!

When witches are in Tudor England: Witchstruck (The Tudor Witch Trilogy #1) by Victoria Lamb

October 6, 2013

Indiereadergirl Book reviews book review, England, harlequin teen, netgalley, newly released, Queen Elizabeth I, Three Stars, tudors, Victoria Lamb, witches, Witchstruck, YA Historical Fiction, YA Paranormal 2 Comments

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Witchstruck

By Victoria Lamb

Released September, 2013 by Harlequin Teen

Length: 320 pages

Genre: YA Historical, paranormal-witches

Rating: Three Stars

Acquired: by netgalley

A witch, Lady Elizabeth, a Spanish Priest in Training, and a Witch hunter in Tudor England, what could go wrong?

Meg Lytton is a witch in training, serving exiled Princess Elizabeth accused of treason, living in the dilapidated castle at Woodstock. Meg wasn’t very smart covering up that she was a witch. Lady Elizabeth knows, asking her often to use her powers to predict her status and so forth. Then, there is the Spanish Catholic Priest Alejandro de Castillo who catches her but soon changes her. Then, there is the Witch Hunter, Marcus Dent, who still wants her.

Oh, Meg, she is trouble. She can’t control her magical powers, often getting cocky with her abilities. But Lady Elizabeth’s persistence doesn’t help, either. Lady Elizabeth is portrayed as somewhat needy, immature, yet willful and strong. A tad bit whiny, too to be honest. And, Meg, fiesty, fiesty Meg. The audacity she had. Yet, she was strong. Strong, independent, and extremely willful. She claimed to always be careful while practicing, but I didn’t see much of it. She was by no means weak, but a little insolent and definitely naive. She wasn’t very lovable to me, or really likable, but definitely had character. To be honest, I was unimpressed with how any of the characters were portrayed, but I loved the Priest. I liked his personality, interaction with Meg, and how noble he behaves. He is perhaps the main reason why I gave this book three stars.

I did enjoy the this book. I found the subject intriguing with the mix of the Tudors, their history I have always enjoyed reading about, and the presence of witchcraft. As well as Meg Lytton’s family members and Lady Elizabeth’s other supporters trying to dethrone Queen Mary. At the time of the book, Queen Mary is pregnant, or having a false pregnancy. The plot was strong, just Meg and Lady Elizabeth’s characters weren’t developed as well.

Although I didn’t love this book, or believe it should be rated higher than I gave it, I would recommend this book to fans of YA books. There is something about it that makes it worth reading.

Love in the time of the Cold War: The Boy on the Bridge by Natalie Standiford Book Review

September 1, 2013

Indiereadergirl Book reviews 2013 release, book review, four and half stars, Natalie Standiford, Russia, Scholastic Print, Travel, YA Historical Fiction 2 Comments

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The Boy on the Bridge

By Natalie Standiford

Published July, 2013 by Scholastic Print

Genre: YA Historical fiction, YA realistic/romance

Arc copy via netgalley

Four and a half stars

It is January, 1982 and the Cold War is at its peak. Nineteen year old Laura Reid, and a select handful of Americans, are studying aboard in St. Petersburg, Russia at the Leningrad. Naive Laura did not know what to expect; especially with her chosen semester taken place during the winter term where Russia is not the warmest of places. Americans are both mistreated and admired. Walking in to get food, the purveyors will bark that they are busy with no customers in his or hers store. Gypsy women surround the bridge by the university, holding bundles that are supposed to be babies that never age or change size. They want every last penny an American has. Laura is no exception. Alone, the gypsies become Laura’s future muggers until a young man comes along. Surprise!

Meet Alexei Mikhailovich Nikolayev, or Alyosha for short. What starts off as a rescue mission, saving this unfamiliar American girl from Gypsies who are trying to mug her, to a love story. Everyone but Laura Reid suspects something as Alyosha starts to take up a majority of her time, as they always do. He is handsome, trying to learn English, and soon to be the love of Laura’s life.

While the two become closer and more intimate, the riskier their relationship becomes. KGB, prison, being unceremoniously brought back to the US. There are dangers, suspicions, and more that make this a relationship that most couples would retreat from. With all of Alyosha’s black market clothes, books, and music, it starts to become easy to question him. The last person who wants to is Laura.

Standiford writes a captivating story; so captivating, I hated letting go of it. I couldn’t stop reading until I had to. As I have been to Russia years, it was nice reading about the sights again, remembering the places I saw. This is a fast read that left me with my mouth open, wanting to scream, “That’s it?” I enjoy when books do that to me. This book was no exception. The only disappointing thing about this book was there was no part two. Yes, concept is not wholly original. We have seen it in books before, and movies. Native falls for American. Secret plans for Green cards, maybe? There was something completely sincere about this novel. It is realistic, and actually beautiful. The language was simple and fluid. When Laura is hit with a surprise, the reader is, too. It is hard not to feel it all. If you enjoy young adult novels that don’t go your traditional route, that includes foreign places, historical setting and time, and a more realistic love story, pick this up when you can. I loved this book. I hope you do, too.

Happy reading!

-indiereadergirl0329

Ruby Shoes and Ruby Red: Ruby Red (Ruby Red Trilogy #1) Book Review

July 1, 2013

Indiereadergirl Book reviews book review, Kerstin Gier, Ruby Red, time travel, YA Fantasy, YA Historical Fiction 2 Comments

Ruby Red

By Kerstin Gier (Translated to English by Anthea Bell from German)

Published May 10, 2011 by Henry Holt and Co.

Four Stars

Gwyneth Shepherd’s sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon–the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

-goodreads.com

Ruby Red was a $2.99 buy I purchased months back on my nook. I liked the idea of the book. It intrigued me; even though I am not a huge fantasy fiction fan. There is something about time travel and the past that I enjoy. What I wasn’t truly prepared for was the allure of secret societies on top of everything else. And, I mean secret, secret society. Intriguing, right? Yes, indeed. Especially for Gywenth Shepard who has spent her whole life on the outside of her family’s heritage. Charlotte was being groomed and welcomed to what the secret was. Gwen knew that there was a secret plan for the last time traveler. But, she just wasn’t sure how far and deep the secret and the society went.

Even after being the true Ruby Red, the last with the supposed most power abilities, she was treated with the utmost disrespect. She was untrained, not as groomed, and not knowledgeable in the least. Something she has learned to accept as her family and the other time traveling family, de Villiers.

Gwen is a great heroine, but it is her best friend that I enjoyed the most, Leslie Hays. She is the brains. She researches everything Gwen tells her, helping Gwen the most. Not only is she a great cheerleader, she is the one person I would trust with my time-traveling life. Her humor is great; her feelings open; and she is a great friend.

Gwen could get a little nervy, yet it was great heading into different centuries: the eighteen hundreds, 1912, and the seventeen hundreds. Each time, there was a different London and more adventures. Thankfully Gwen was never alone, but her companion Gideon was all but open to this new change. He was possibly one of my least favorite characters.

Still, I couldn’t help it, but each time Gwen came back from time traveling I pictured that she had the ruby shoes from The Wizard of Oz. Of course, she didn’t. But she is the Ruby.

I am looking forward to book two, which I downloaded for free as an audio book. I started already, and love it. Oh, the intrigue.

I would recommend this series to anyone who likes little YA fantasy, time travel, and outcasts. It is a pleasantly quick read at only 203 pages as an e-book.

Books... Portals to other worlds.

If only that was the true world she traveled. But I will settle for London.

indiereadergirl0329

Love is Neverending for the Believers: Endless by Amanda Gray Book Review

When witches are in Tudor England: Witchstruck (The Tudor Witch Trilogy #1) by Victoria Lamb

Love in the time of the Cold War: The Boy on the Bridge by Natalie Standiford Book Review

Ruby Shoes and Ruby Red: Ruby Red (Ruby Red Trilogy #1) Book Review

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