Age Level: Adult
Format: Book
William H. Seward is perhaps best known for his purchase of Alaska from the Russian empire, nicknamed "Seward's Folly." He also served as President Lincoln's Secretary of State and was nearly assassinated by Lewis Powell, a John Wilkes Booth associate. In the first Seward biography in decades, Stahr uses manuscripts, articles and other sources to present Seward as a fascinating, powerful man who helped shape events in American history.
This is a perfect biography for Civil War buffs, political enthusiasts and history fans. Stahr paints a vivid, engaging picture of Seward the man. Seward comes alive for readers, thanks to Stahr's research and his easy-flowing writing style. Stahr shows Seward clearly was a controversial figure in his time, and yet, was deeply loved and admired by countless people. His stance on slavery detracted many supporters; his advice on matters in the Lincoln administration led many critics to feel (incorrectly) that he was the true power in the White House (which led to his assassination attempt). Overall, Stahr has written an extremely enjoyable biography about one of the nineteenth century's most interesting American politicians.
Stahr uses footnotes for his source citations and includes an extensive index in the biography. There are two maps included as well that detail Seward's New York and Seward's 1860 campaign. Photographs of Seward and his family also appear.
I highly recommend this biography!
Reviewed by Jessica
Monday, October 29, 2012
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Age Level: Young Adult
Format: Book
Cas Lowood is not your usual teenage guy...instead of hanging out with friends and attending parties, he spends his nights tracking down murderous ghosts and killing them. Cas inherited this ability from his father, who was murdered by a ghost he was trying to kill. Armed with his father's athame, Cas and his mom move from place to place taking care of these harmful ghosts. However, their move to Thunder Bay, Ontario, is a bit different. Cas is drawn to Thunder Bay by the legend of Anna Dressed in Blood, a girl brutally murdered in 1958 who haunts her old home and murders anyone who dares enter its doors. For Cas, this sounds like every day work. Except, it's not. Cas soon discovers there's more to Anna then everyone knows, which prompts him to re-evaluate his mission.
Considering how many books I read with female main characters, it was extremely refreshing to read a book starring a male main character written in the first person! Blake's characters are quirky and very likeable. I liked this book for its unique concept - student by day, ghost killer by night - and for the characters. Though I have not seen the TV show "Supernatural," I have heard readers make comparisons between this book and the show. Blake's writing style keeps you reading to find out what happens next.
Readers who do not like violence or gory scenes may have to skip a few paragraphs throughout the book - killing ghosts is not a clean job. Though written for young adults, adults who enjoy ghost stories or the supernatural may enjoy reading this book.
The sequel to Anna Dressed in Blood, Girl of Nightmares, came out in August. I can't wait to read it!
Reviewed by Jessica
Format: Book
Cas Lowood is not your usual teenage guy...instead of hanging out with friends and attending parties, he spends his nights tracking down murderous ghosts and killing them. Cas inherited this ability from his father, who was murdered by a ghost he was trying to kill. Armed with his father's athame, Cas and his mom move from place to place taking care of these harmful ghosts. However, their move to Thunder Bay, Ontario, is a bit different. Cas is drawn to Thunder Bay by the legend of Anna Dressed in Blood, a girl brutally murdered in 1958 who haunts her old home and murders anyone who dares enter its doors. For Cas, this sounds like every day work. Except, it's not. Cas soon discovers there's more to Anna then everyone knows, which prompts him to re-evaluate his mission.
Considering how many books I read with female main characters, it was extremely refreshing to read a book starring a male main character written in the first person! Blake's characters are quirky and very likeable. I liked this book for its unique concept - student by day, ghost killer by night - and for the characters. Though I have not seen the TV show "Supernatural," I have heard readers make comparisons between this book and the show. Blake's writing style keeps you reading to find out what happens next.
Readers who do not like violence or gory scenes may have to skip a few paragraphs throughout the book - killing ghosts is not a clean job. Though written for young adults, adults who enjoy ghost stories or the supernatural may enjoy reading this book.
The sequel to Anna Dressed in Blood, Girl of Nightmares, came out in August. I can't wait to read it!
Reviewed by Jessica
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
Age Level: Young Adult
Format: Book
Format: Book
Tamsin Greene feels she does not fit into her family...all
of her family members are witches, and she is not. While working in her
grandmother’s bookshop one day, Tamsin meets a man who wants her help finding a
lost object. Because her family is known to find lost objects, and she wants to
prove her worth to her family, she agrees to help him. Little does she know,
this simple agreement leads to life changing events, including finding out the
truth about herself and the truth behind her family’s past.
An exceptionally fast read, I absolutely enjoyed reading Once
a Witch. I like Tamsin, who while trying to prove her worth to her family
also learns a lot of lessons that will help shape her personality and truly
understand her role in her family. There’s adventure, romance, fantasy and
humor throughout the novel. Readers
interested in fantasy novels, and novels especially about witches, should check
out this book.
This is the first book in a two book series; the second book
Always a Witch is just as fun to read.
Reviewed by Jessica
Friday, June 29, 2012
The Taker by Alma Katsu
Age Level: Adult
Format: Book
While working the midnight shift at a rural Maine hospital, Dr. Luke Findley encounters Lanore McIlvrae, a young woman suspected of murdering a man in the woods. As Luke attempts to tend to Lanore (Lanny), Lanny begins to tell a strange tale about her past. As a young girl in the nineteenth century, Lanny fell in love with the son of the town's founder. Her efforts to keep the two of them together forever envelops them in dangerous peril and a lifetime of changes. Two centuries later, she turns to Luke for help; Luke finds himself so enthralled by her that he will do anything to help her, even if it means changing his own life forever.
Though at times the narrative did drag a bit, overall, I was captivated by the book and its premise. Katsu's writing style had me hooked from page one, and I had to keep reading to find out what happened next to the characters. Sympathy I did not have for most of the characters, as their own selfish reasons led them to their predicaments, but their flaws made the storyline. And, the twists at the end have made me anxious to read the second book in the trilogy, The Reckoning.
It is rather hard to classify The Taker into one genre - it contains elements of the paranormal, romance, historical fiction, fantasy and thriller. Readers who enjoy any of these elements may want to read this book. Some of the scenes are graphic, so readers who do not enjoy these type of scenes may want to pass on this book.
Reviewed by Jessica
Format: Book
**This is book one in the Taker trilogy**
While working the midnight shift at a rural Maine hospital, Dr. Luke Findley encounters Lanore McIlvrae, a young woman suspected of murdering a man in the woods. As Luke attempts to tend to Lanore (Lanny), Lanny begins to tell a strange tale about her past. As a young girl in the nineteenth century, Lanny fell in love with the son of the town's founder. Her efforts to keep the two of them together forever envelops them in dangerous peril and a lifetime of changes. Two centuries later, she turns to Luke for help; Luke finds himself so enthralled by her that he will do anything to help her, even if it means changing his own life forever.
Though at times the narrative did drag a bit, overall, I was captivated by the book and its premise. Katsu's writing style had me hooked from page one, and I had to keep reading to find out what happened next to the characters. Sympathy I did not have for most of the characters, as their own selfish reasons led them to their predicaments, but their flaws made the storyline. And, the twists at the end have made me anxious to read the second book in the trilogy, The Reckoning.
It is rather hard to classify The Taker into one genre - it contains elements of the paranormal, romance, historical fiction, fantasy and thriller. Readers who enjoy any of these elements may want to read this book. Some of the scenes are graphic, so readers who do not enjoy these type of scenes may want to pass on this book.
Reviewed by Jessica
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Age Level: Teen
Seventeen-year old Ismae’s life changes dramatically when she is rescued from an arranged marriage and placed in the care of the convent of Saint Mortain, the god of Death. Ismae learns that she is a true daughter of Death, and as such, must be trained as an assassin. Her assignments are to dispatch those who are against the duchess of Brittany; Mortain leaves visible marks to Ismae on his targets. Her most important assignment leads her to the court of Brittany, where she must protect the duchess from enemies. But, what will Ismae do when she falls in love with one of Mortain’s targets?
Format: Book
**This is the first in the His Fair Assassin trilogy**
Seventeen-year old Ismae’s life changes dramatically when she is rescued from an arranged marriage and placed in the care of the convent of Saint Mortain, the god of Death. Ismae learns that she is a true daughter of Death, and as such, must be trained as an assassin. Her assignments are to dispatch those who are against the duchess of Brittany; Mortain leaves visible marks to Ismae on his targets. Her most important assignment leads her to the court of Brittany, where she must protect the duchess from enemies. But, what will Ismae do when she falls in love with one of Mortain’s targets?
LaFevers’ has created a wonderfully independent, strong character in Ismae. Ismae comes from a tragic background but yet rises to the challenge of becoming a handmaiden to Death. I cannot wait to see how Ismae develops as the trilogy progresses.
Readers who like historical fiction may want to check out this book – it is set during the Middle Ages. However, do not let the setting be a deterrent from picking up this book. LaFevers makes the setting work perfectly. As the synopsis above suggests, there is violence throughout the novel, but it is not graphic. Religion, politics, love, death...these themes are discussed in the novel. Grave Mercy seems to have a little bit of every element!
This is truly a captivating novel and leaves the reader wanting more. Though it may be geared for teens, adults will enjoy this book too.
Reviewed by Jessica
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