The Lady with the Dark Hair

Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a copy of The Lady with the Dark Hair, by Erin Bartels, from Revell. All opinions are my own.  

My rating: 3/5

It’s hard to do a dual-timeline story well. Inevitably some part of the story seems irrelevant or unnecessary or simply weaker than others. Erin Bartels manages a fairly successful dual plot in this novel, though at times there are certainly chapters that are clearly characters trying to get from Point A to Point B, and tells a solid, heartwarming story about female accomplishment in two separate time periods in the process.

Though I didn’t enjoy this book as much as her previous one I read, Bartels is a good author, avoiding many pitfalls and problems with her straightforward, usually non-romance-centric tales. Her books are usually more character-driven, and the same is true of this one, where she tells two stories side-by-side: the story of Viviana Torrens, an aspiring female artist in the 1880s with a secret, traumatic past, and Esther Markstrom, a present-day gallery owner who, in her forties, is still struggling to figure out her place in life. As you might expect, the stories are connected, and even though the reader will figure things out much, much sooner than Esther, the build-up is quite nice and each story has enough to distinguish them that it makes each of them interesting, rather than imbalanced. Though there are hints of romance, it is not the focus; rather, the focus is more on females accomplishing things outside of the male sphere (especially Viviana’s story, which is about how female artists were underrecognized and struggled more than male artists).

I am sometimes critical of Christian-marketed books that don’t mention God at all. This book does not, as far as I can remember. However, the beauty of this type of book is its wide appeal: because there’s nothing overtly religious, many more people can read and enjoy it, and Bartels’ message about self-worth and perseverance is powerful and true.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Embers in the London Sky

Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a copy of Embers in the London Sky, by Sarah Sundin, from Revell. All opinions are my own.  

My rating: 3/5

Embers in the London Sky is a typical World War II-era Christian historical romance novel. Decent research to establish the setting and focus (this time, refugee children and children sent to the country during the Blitz, and BBC broadcasting and concerns about censorship), two characters that have some flaws like impatience and anxiety, and have slightly traumatic pasts, a romance that is as obvious as it is inevitable, and occasional mentions of God and prayer.

The book is full of exactly the type of sweet and light content that its audience will eat up. Aleida is a gentle, determined, math-loving woman recovering from an abusive marriage and desperately trying to find her son; Hugh is a charming gentleman who says and does all the right things (almost) and, when he doesn’t, immediately regrets and apologizes for it. The conclusion is obvious, yes, but it’s still endearing. Add in some threats from bombings and a refugee-/foreigner-hating killer, and there’s enough dramatic tension to keep the plot going for what would otherwise be a bare-bones story. Sundin also sprinkles in enough religious language for it to fulfill the marker of a Christian historical fiction novel.

I know I might sound sarcastic, or at least tongue-in-cheek, but I do think this was an unobjectionable book of this genre. I’ve definitely read worst. Sarah Sundin spins a good tale, and all the usual tired tropes and cliches are made bearable by decent writing and a plot that is well-paced. There’s a pretty random murder mystery thrown into the novel for some reason (mostly to generate tension and suspense for our characters, as if the London Blitz wasn’t enough), but that’s really the only major flaw I thought the book had.

I just wish these types of books were simply…better. More compelling. More original. Books that I’d be willing to recommend over other books with the same focus. As it stands, this was a good book, but not good enough (or memorable enough) for me to recommend if someone were to ask me for recs.

Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction

Prairie Lotus

Rating: 3/5

Prairie Lotus is a Western expansion/pioneer story reminiscent of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Park specifically tried to imitate her style, as explained in her author’s note), except this novel is the author’s attempt to “fix” everything wrong that the author found about Wilder’s novels (mostly Ma Ingalls’ attitude towards Indians, again explained in the note). Or at least, the author presents a very different side than Wilder did.

The protagonist is half-Chinese, and the book is rife with anti-Chinese attitudes. While the conflict and tension are portrayed well and serve as a very real, poignant glance at the time period and its treatment of Chinese and other Asian immigrants, I really did not like Hanna, the protagonist, and the overly preachy tone of the book, where as early as the first five chapters Hanna uses 21st century catchphrases about American Indians and the government seizure of tribal territory. I had a hard time believing that Hanna would even have the understanding or education required at the time to make such pronouncements that are so clearly the author’s modern viewpoints being projected through the mouth of the protagonist.

There were a few other things that I didn’t particularly like about the book, mostly due to the overbearing way the themes are portrayed. There’s also an unnecessary assault scene at the end that means the book is not particularly appropriate for a younger audience.

Overall, I think if the main messages had been presented more subtly and some other things had been toned down a little, I would have really enjoyed this book because it really is an homage to Wilder’s books, even as Park criticizes the various attitudes (mainly Ma Ingalls’) portrayed in those books. But I hate preachiness and overly modern talking points injected in a very non-historical way, so the book grated on me too much for me to really enjoy it as it was meant to be.

Info: Linda Sue Park; published 2020 by Clarion

Genre: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction

Notes: A man attempts to assault Hanna and she ends up bruised with a torn dress. Prostitution is heavily implied.

Recommended Age Range: 12+ due to attempted assault

The Quilt Walk

Rating: 4/5

The Quilt Walk is a Western expansion novel, a familiar genre of children/MG literature and one of my favorites. However, it does stand out from other similar novels with its focus on quilting and its emphasis on the talents of women. It’s almost too modern in that latter regard, actually, but Dallas does a great job of making it applicable to the time period while avoiding being too preachy (somewhat).

The book tells the story of Emmy Blue, a girl whose father has decided to move the family from Quincy, Missouri, to Golden, Colorado. As a parting gift, her grandmother gives her quilt squares, fabric pieces for Emmy Blue to make her first quilt, and thus starts Emmy Blue’s “Quilt Walk” as her family journeys to their new life.

The focus of the novel is not really on quilting, however. Quilting is simply a symbol that Dallas uses to represent the courage, tenacity, and strong will of women, the bonds they forge, and the influence they exert. Emmy Blue’s mother, a “courageous and strong woman with a stout heart,” as the blurb describes, is the main voice for this symbol, as she teaches Emmy Blue about life on their journey. And life on the trail serves as a good focal point for this symbol as Emmy Blue witnesses domestic abuse, a young widow’s quick remarriage after her first husband’s tragic death, the birth of her baby brother, and a successful commercial yard goods’ shop.

The book is a great look at the time period with a strong focus on women, and Dallas also avoids typical stereotypes or tropes of the Western expansion genre.  I thoroughly enjoyed this short little book that manages to be inspiring, funny, and subtly sad all at once.

Info: Sandra Dallas; published 2012 by Sleeping Bear Press

Genre: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction

Notes: Domestic violence.

Recommended Age Range: 10+

The Warsaw Sisters

Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a copy of The Warsaw Sisters, by Amanda Barratt, from Revell. All opinions are my own.  

My rating: 2/5

In The Warsaw Sisters, sisters Antonina and Helena live through the horrors of World War II in Warsaw, Poland, each taking their own distinct journey: one, through hiding Jewish children and experiencing the German slaughter of civilians, and the second, through joining the Polish underground army and fighting the Germans in the Warsaw Uprising. Through the story of the sisters, the story of Warsaw during World War II is also revealed, a story of which many readers are likely not aware.

The strengths of this novel are in the revelation of that story, of the struggle of Poland in general, and Warsaw in specific, against Germany (and Russia). Barratt covers everything from the slaughter of Polish military by the Russians (who then blamed it on the Germans) to the Jewish ghetto uprising to the massacre of civilians by the Germans and the destruction of Warsaw. This is a story of struggle and survival and terror the likes of which many of us in 21^st century America know nothing about. Yet, it is also a story of hope, love, and perseverance, and that is the part that truly shines.

My low rating for this novel mostly comes from my dislike of the writing style, which is overly descriptive and poetic in many places. Characters will detail conversations and then spend a paragraph or two trying to connect the experience with some type of abstract thought meant to be touching, beautiful, or aesthetically pleasing. I found many of those moments to simply fall flat and ended up skimming most of them. In addition, I didn’t really connect to either of the two sisters, most likely because I felt that all the characters were simply reading scripts or reciting something from memory: I never really felt in the moment with them. Adding to that was the profound obviousness of the character development; nothing that happened to the characters surprised me.

This novel is a good example of a story that should be read mainly for its historical appeal, not the strength of its plot or characters. The latter are obvious and serve only as a vehicle to reveal the time period.

Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction

Ashes

Rating: 4/5

Ashes finishes the story of Isabel and Curzon, started in Chains with the British occupation of New York, continued in Forge with the winter in Valley Forge, and wrapped up here, with the surrender of the British. Oh, and obviously the character arcs are wrapped up here, too, though I always find the history more interesting.

That being said, Isabel and Curzon are flat-out adorable in this book. Both of them (Curzon especially) definitely felt more grown-up and mature as befitting the passage of time between books, and the pay-off to their three-book-long relationship, though a little melodramatic and slow (though let’s be honest, I eat that stuff up if I’m interested in the characters’ relationship), is well worth it. Also great is the resolution to Isabel’s search for Ruth and the character growth that comes from that as both Isabel and Ruth adjust to being with each other after years apart.

The portrayal of history is as good as ever, with great care taken to represent the complicated tangle of slavery and freedom. Anderson once again shows both the British and Patriot views of slavery and the ways in which they kept (and didn’t keep) their promises to enlisted slaves, as well as the complicated feelings of slaves towards the Patriot and British causes. And I liked that the book ended on a hopeful, happy note, as this is a book series that very easily could have been more overbearing and critical.

I thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy, and I thought that Anderson dealt with the topic with nuance, grace, and complexity. This book, in particular, truly felt like a good balance of acknowledging good and recognizing and condemning bad, which is hard to come by these days. There was no oversimplification or hasty generalization, no heavy-handed moralizing, and no appeals to shame or guilt. Just a presentation of a historical time period and the characters who struggled and fought for a better life, in the only way they knew how and in the only way they could. 

Info: Laurie Halse Anderson; published 2016 by Atheneum

Genre: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction

Warnings: None

Recommended Age Range: 10+

Misty of Chincoteague

Rating: 4/5

I think I read Misty as a child, but I barely remember it. For someone who really loved (and loves) horses and horse books, I think this book bored me or something. In any case, it doesn’t stand out in my mind like others (Black Beauty, the Saddle Club series) I read back then do. So, this time was basically like reading it for the first time.

This is a great book. It’s everything you could want in a children’s horse book: horses, obviously; the connection between horses and people; the wildness and freedom of nature; cute scenes; hard choices. It’s also a great introduction to the wild horses of Assoteague and Pony Penning Day, which apparently still happens to this day. I believe this book is actually how I learned there was an island of horses off the coast of Virginia.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book were the children, Paul and Maureen. They are such good examples of hard work and perseverance. Henry strikes the delicate balance between maturity and relatability as Paul and Maureen work to raise money, catch the Phantom, take care of her and Misty, deal with unwelcome surprises, and make a hard choice at the end. They were the stand-out of the novel for me, though I also loved how Henry portrayed the Phantom and Misty, giving them familiar characteristics without making them seem un-horselike. (If that description doesn’t make sense, I guess I’m trying to say that I enjoyed the portrayal of the horses and how they were human enough that we as the reader could recognize their worries and concerns while still recognizing that they are horses.)

This is my favorite of Marguerite Henry’s books I’ve read, a true classic of both children’s literature and horse stories.

Info: Marguerite Henry; published 1947 by Aladdin

Genre: Children’s, Historical Fiction

Notes: None

Recommended Age Range: 7+

Justin Morgan Had a Horse

Rating: 3/5

Marguerite Henry is a classic horse novelist, and though I’ve read some of her other works, I’ve never read this one. Justin Morgan Had a Horse is the origin story of the Morgan horse, a name that I only remember from the Little House on the Prairie books, but is apparently one of the earliest horse breeds developed in the US.

The title may be confusing for younger readers, since the book focuses on a boy named Joel and not on Justin Morgan at all, but this is still a delightful classic horse novel featuring a great bond between a person and a horse and the tenacious, stubborn qualities of the Morgan that apparently made it famous. Characters abound in this story, so it may be hard to tell them all apart, but really the two most important ones are Joel and Little Bub the horse, even though Joel has a very passive stance for most of the book as he is too young to have an active voice in where Bub should go.

There are some events that seem based more on urban legend than reality, but there is enough adventure here to suit any type of reader: races, pulling contests, parades, and Joel’s determination to persevere through an apprenticeship he doesn’t really want to be able to buy the horse that he does really want.

This is not my favorite of Henry’s books, but it does give a great look at the origins of what is, as Joel says at the end, an American horse.

Info: Marguerite Henry; published 1954 by Aladdin

Genre: Children’s, Historical Fiction

Notes: None

Recommended Age Range: 7+

Forge

Rating: 4/5

Forge is the sequel to Chains and continues that story, following Curzon specifically after he and Isabel get separated from each other. He joins the Patriot army in Valley Forge during the bitter winter of 1777-1778 and the first half of the book is mostly concerned with portraying that part of the war: the lack of food, clothing, and shelter, and the overall dire straits of the Patriot army.

The second half of the book shifts back to focus on slavery as Curzon is forced to serve Bellingham, the man who promised to free him and then reneged on that promise. Anderson continues to throw in many historical references and weaves details about the war throughout, even as Curzon’s role changes. She also continues raising, and asking, many relevant historical questions, such as the attitude towards slavery and slaves and the conflicted feelings slaves held towards the Patriots and the British.

The end of this book is much like the first, but the familiarity of it underscores Anderson’s point: freedom is difficult to obtain and must be fought for. I give her credit for continuing to throw her protagonists into situations that they spent a whole book trying to get out of, highlighting the constant struggle for freedom from slavery. Mirrored with that theme is the overall idea of freedom, emphasized by the Revolutionary War. Anderson, thankfully, does not oversimplify anything but raises lots of good questions, posits some answers, and overall presents a very complex historical novel that is a deep and insightful read.

Info: Laurie Halse Anderson; published 2010 by Scholastic

Genre: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction

Warnings: Some slurs.

Recommended Age Range: 11+

Chains

Rating: 4/5

Chains is a Revolutionary War-era novel about Isabel, a slave who gets caught up in the tension between Patriots and British/Tories while suffering under the cruel treatment of the Locktons. The novel is mostly about slavery and freedom, though Anderson also explores the differing perspectives of that era from both slave and free and the complicated dilemma slaves faced in supporting either the Patriots or the British in the war. Rounding out the historical aspect are chapter epigraphs that pull from actual historical documents of the time and give additional information on the war, slavery, and attitudes of the time.

This is a beautifully written book, and a beautiful, but harsh story. Starting with a broken will (Isabel and her sister were freed in a will, but since they don’t have the will, they are sold into slavery), Isabel and her sister face hardship after hardship as they try to survive. I love how Anderson wrote Isabel: bold, clever, intelligent, with a bitter spirit that sometimes threatens to overwhelm her (understandable considering her situation), but a fierce determination that carries her through. And I really enjoyed the historical notes for each chapter and the way the book just felt like it was written by a girl from the 1700s.

I have actually enjoyed Anderson’s work for a long time since I read Speak in college, but I haven’t read anything from her in a while so it was nice to remember why I enjoyed her books back then. I’ll be picking up the next book to see if the great writing and complex messages continue.

Info: Laurie Halse Anderson; published 2008 by Scholastic

Genre: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction

Warnings: None.

Recommended Age Range: 11+