Fallen Grace

By Mary Hooper. New York: Bloomsbury, 2010.

The year is 1861 in London, England. Grace Parkes is fifteen years old and lives with her older sister Lily. Orphaned at a young age, they live a life of extreme hardship. Each day, they struggle to earn money selling watercress just to buy food to eat. On top of that, even though Lily is older, she possesses the mind of a child, so Grace must care for her for the rest of her life. While living at a training establishment where she was to learn to be a teacher, Grace is abused by a benefactor, and becomes pregnant. Unfortunately, the baby boy dies in childbirth, and Grace is heartbroken. She takes him to Brookwood Cemetery, so he can have a proper burial.

While at Brookwood, Grace meets two people who will play important parts in her life. One is James Solent, a legal clerk, who offers to help Grace if she ever needs assistance. The second is Mrs. Unwin, who runs a funeral business along with her husband. She offers Grace the position of being a "mute" at funerals, but Grace is appalled with the idea, and turns her down. After discovering the boarding house they live in is to be torn down, they are homeless with nowhere to go. Desperate for employment and a roof over their heads, Grace goes to Mrs. Unwin, who takes both sisters on. Unbeknowst to Grace, the Unwins have an ulterior motive for taking in the Parkes' sisters. Grace and Lily are the recipients of a large inheritance left by their father, who died in America, but they have no knowledge of this. The Unwins have an evil plan to steal the girls' inheritance, but will Grace find out about this in time? Will she be able to secure a safe, rich future for herself and Lily?

This novel is rich in historical details, and the storytelling is captivating. I didn't think I could endure reading any more heartbreaking trials these sisters had to endure, but Grace's strength gave me hope this story would end happily. A beautiful story of survival, determination and perseverance, this is a wonderful read.

Karma

By Cathy Ostlere. New York: Razorbill, 2011.

Karma is a magnificent book that must be read! Told in free verse and using a diary format, I was immediately drawn to this story from the first page, and couldn't put it down! This story takes place in 1984. Maya is 15 years old. She is half-Hindu and half-Sikh and living in Canada with her parents. After her mother's suicide, she and her father travel from Canada to New Delhi, India with her mother's ashes. It is October 31, and Indira Gandhi is assassinated, and Maya and her father find themselves stuck in a turbulent, dangerous setting. Maya becomes separated from her father, and decides to get on a train to escape the danger. Heading north, Maya witnesses an act so terrible and brutal, she becomes mute, extremely traumatized by her experience. She is "rescued" by Parvati, a doctor, who sends Maya to her family's home. There, she meets Parvati's brother, Sandeep, who falls in love with Maya, and tries to coax her out of her sadness and get her to speak. Maya and Sandeep go on a journey to see if they can locate Maya's father, and so karma comes in to the story. I'll leave it at that, so I don't give anything away.

This story is so powerful, and the use of free verse allows the reader an intimate look into the characters. I really loved the use of a diary as the format. It pulled me into the lives of Maya and Sandeep in a way that I don't think a traditional narrative would. Combined with historical events, and rich cultural details, this is an epic story! I highly recommend this heart-wrenching, beautiful story of journey and self-discovery. You won't be disappointed!

Between Shades of Gray

By Ruta Sepetys. New York: Philomel Books, 2011.

Let me say, this story is not a pretty one. Yet, it is beautifully written. Based on true events and the author's family experience, this book needs to be read. It's 1941, and fifteen year old Lina lives a comfortable life in Lithuania. A talented artist, she is looking forward to going to art school. One night, Soviet guards invade her home, taking Lina, her mother and her younger brother onto a packed train with other deportees, off to a labor camp in Siberia. Her father has been separated from them, and he is being taken to a prison camp, where he is sentenced to death. This story unflinchingly tells the horrors Lithuanians and others endured on the train, and also during their time in Siberia. Lina and her family are then taken further into nothingness towards the North Pole to another labor camp. Lina and her family struggle to survive with nothing more than hope they will be returned to Lithuania and the love they have for each other.

I found this extremely disturbing to read, but it is so well written, that I was compelled to continue the journey with Lina. I didn't remember this part of World War II history, and it was disturbing to read the atrocities the Soviet soldiers inflicted on people during their "cleansing" of the Baltic region. I think the cover image captures the disparity between the "ugliness" of the story (barbed wire surround the border) and the beauty of the writing and ultimate hope towards the end of the story (a lone green plant growing out of the stark cold of the snow). I highly recommend this haunting book. It will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Revolution

By Jennifer Donnelly. New York: Delacorte Press, 2010.

Boy, oh boy, what an amazing book! First, let's talk plot. It's present day. Andi Alpers is 17 years-old, living in Brooklyn, and she is deeply grieving the loss of her younger brother, Truman. She has a lot of anger towards her father for never being around, her mother for being basically catatonic and unable to cope with life without her son. Andi has so much anger and grief, and it consumes her everyday life. She isn't able to talk about her feelings with anyone, and anti-depressants are barely keeping her functional. Due to her inability to cope, she is falling behind on her classes and is very close to getting expelled from St. Anselm's, the private school she attends. Her father intervenes, and takes Andi to Paris with him for a work trip with the goal of working on her thesis so she can graduate. While in Paris, Andi discovers a diary hidden in a guitar case that was written by a young girl, Alexandrine, who lived during the French Revolution. It's this discovery that changes Andi's life.

This book grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go! I was captivated by the story, the characters, and the setting. The writing is so strong, you can almost jump into the pages. One of the things I really liked was the two distinctive voices Donnelly gave to Andi and Alex. Andi's pain and grief is so heartbreaking, and you feel her mourning and sadness so fiercely. I also really loved the music element to this novel. Andi is a gifted musician, and music is her way of dealing with her feelings. On Jennifer Donnelly's website, she has a playlist of all the songs mentioned in the book. I also loved the setting and mixture of present time and the past. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read a fabulous story. Also, if you're not a fan of historical fiction, please, give this book a try. You won't be disappointed!

The Season

By Sarah MacLean. New York: Orchard Books, 2009.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm a sucker for anything that's a period piece. I'm a huge fan of Masterpiece Theater, especially when they are doing a Jane Austen adaptation (but I don't discriminate, I'll watch anything that show produces). The Regency period is one of the favorite settings for a story or a movie. It probably has a little something to do with the costumes, manners, and way of speech. Everything seems so elegant, and the men are more brooding and dashing than any other time period. Like I said, I love me a period piece movie. Imagine my delight when I saw this book at the library. I snatched it up quick as can be, and then hunkered down on my couch ready to be transported back in time. As with all my favorite BBC dramas, this book did not disappoint!

The story centers on seventeen year old Lady Alexandra Stafford. Much to her mother's delight and Alex's dismay, it's time for her to be unveiled to society during her "season" - in the hopes of catching a respectable marriage. But Alex, along with her two best friends Ella and Vivi, would rather spend time reading and pursuing other intellectual avenues than endless dress fittings, dances and parties. Enter her childhood friend (and extremely good looking), Gavin, the newly minted Earl of Blackmoor. His father recently died from an accident, but Gavin has his doubts. As the season progresses, Alex begins to see Gavin in a new light (when DID he become so dashing?) and discovers some startling information that may help him uncover the mystery of his father's death. But she'll need the help of Ella and Vivi to get out of this scrape. And along the way, will she finally succumb to love?

I loved the character of Alex! She is head-strong, intellectual, and not afraid to speak her mind. Her quibs with her older brothers and Gavin are quite funny and offer the book light-heartedness and make for a fun read. Her friendship with Ella and Vivi reminds me of my own dear friendships, and I immediately connected with them. You will swoon over Gavin and cheer the ladies on as the season progresses. Anyone who enjoys Regency romance sprinkled with a little mystery and adventure will love this book!