Book Review OF "Mercy Clifton: Pilgrim Girl"

Mercy Clifton, Pilgrim Girl, written by Peter Marshall, David Manuel, and Shelldon Maxwell, is one of the books in the Crimson Cross series. It tells the story of Mercy Clifton, a sixteen year old pilgrim who travels on the Mayflower to the New World. Mercy struggles through problems such as death, disease, hunger, and feelings for a young man. Mercy never blames GOD for her problems that I remember. In the story she makes friends with a chief's daughter, Amie, and the two of them later come to a point in life where they must try and prevent war. Will they be able to? What is the beautiful silver cross with five red gems William Bradford has?

My Review: This book was a nice read. I only remember one objectionable thing, and that is when Mercy lies, though she does admit, if I remember correctly, that she ought not have. I do not know the age range for this book, but I believe I will recommend it for ages thriteen and up.

The Apothecary's Daughter By Julie Klassen Review

The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen is the tale of Lillian Haswell, an apothecary's daughter who does not forget anything. She is also without her mother, because she ran away before the story begins. All her life, Lilly, as she is sometimes called, wants to see more of the world than her home of Bedsley Priors. One day she is given the chance to go to London where she can be in society. Yet, though she finally gets to see more, her old life is with her. When Lilly is needed back at home, will she return and stay at the place she has known most of her life, or will the frills of the world outside of Bedsley Priors draw her back?

My Review: This was a sweet tale, one of the best books I have read this year. The story was set in regency era England, a time period I have not read much in stories. It was amazing, and the characters were lovely. It has a sweet part to it since Lilly, though her brother is of a slow mind, still loves and cares for him. I cannot really remember anything specifically wrong with the book except I believe there was reference to drinking, card playing, and characters mentioning previously being unfaithful to marriage vows. For the age range, I am not quite certain. Since I am not sure, I wil recommend for ages sixteen and up.

(Note: I realize I just did a post for ages sixteen and up. Since I did, The good LORD willing, I hope to do one for the younger age group next time I review.)

Review of "Fire" by Bill Bright and Jack Cananaugh

Today's review is of Fire by Bill Bright and Jack Cavanaugh.
The story is about twenty-six year old Josiah Rush. The book begins with his return to Havenhill, the town on his youth. His childhood friend, Phillip Clapp, had met Josiah and asked him to come back to be the town's pastor. Josiah agreed, and that is why he has returned. Only, this is no average return home. Josiah had been exiled from the town eight years before for an accident that resulted in the death of three people, and the town being destroyed.
Josiah hopes that this will be his chance for the people to forgive him, and perhaps, the chance to be with the girl he loves, Abigail Parkhurst. Yet, an evil in the town causes an ache in his stomach, which he has come to learn is a gift from GOD. But after eight years, the people are still not ready to forgive. Josiah hopes revival will come back to the town, and for the next while, Josiah will have his hands full, but GOD is in control.


My Review: This is one of the books in The Great Awakening series, but it is the only one I have finished. It was a nice read, though it took some time to finish. The story is supposed to take place during The Great Awakening(a time when there was much revival in the early American colonies that started in the first half of the eighteenth century.) The book has appearances from Jonathan Edwards, and George Whitefield, two of the preachers during the Great Awakening. I do not have any major objections to the book, but it does have parts in it that can be frightening because of violent things that happen. Other then that, nothing to object to. It is adult fiction, so I recommend it for older teens and adults.

Review of My Antonia by Willa Cather

Hello, readers! I am excited, as this is my first post on The Ladies Library. I am Hailey Renée, and I will be posting reviews of classic literature. Well, for part of my literature studies this year, I had to read My Ántonia by Willa Cather.

My Ántonia is a beautiful work of craftsmanship, written by Cather in 1918, but set in a bit earlier times in rural Nebraska. The story is about a boy named Jim Quayle, who is orphaned in Virginia and is sent to live with his grandparents on the prairie. There he meets a beautiful Bohemian girl named Ántonia (pronounced AN-toh-nee-ah). The first part of the story follows Jim's idyllic childhood and friendship with Ántonia. In the second part, Jim, his grandparents, and Ántonia's family move to a town called Black Hawk. Here, Jim begins to mature, and so does Ántonia. He makes friends with many other immigrants at this time, and it ends with him graduating and ready to go to college. The third book picks up with Jim at school, where he is re-acquainted with his old friend, Lena Lingard. I don't think I ought to tell more of what the story goes like, for fear of giving away anything I ought not.

In this book, Miss Cather has captured the very heart of the prairie. It is sweetly nostalgic, sometimes melancholy, but always simple and lovely. This is some of the most beautiful prose I have ever read, and Cather has a knack for creating very diverse characters.

But, with this diversity of characters, there are some rather violent ones. There is a side story in this novel of a husband and wife who hate each other, and it ends messily. Also, there is one suicide, and another girl commits a sexual sin that results in pregnancy. However, most of the violence is really in stories within the story.

All in all, I loved this book. You can feel Cather's love of the prairie and the people who live there, and the storytelling is superb. I highly recommend this for ages 13 or up.

Review of Gone-away Lake, by Hannah Grace.

Gone-away Lake

Author: Elizabeth Enright.

Length: 272 pages

Gone-Away Lake was once a play where several families got together in the summer to have fun. It became a tradition, until something happened and the lake was abandoned. But now, Minnie and her brother Pin have returned to stay there, alone for the rest of their days. Or, so they thought. After several years of living alone, they are suddenly discovered by two young explorers: Julian and his cousin Portia. Now everything they know is changing.

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Gone-Away Lake did not look very interesting, to me. But when I first opened it and started reading, I couldn't stop! It's not a thriller, or a murder-mystery, but it is a story of Summer. A story of memories, laughter, and fun. All in all, a VERY enjoyable book. There is a little bit of lying, in a way, because for a little while Julian and Portia do not tell anyone else about Gone-Away Lake, Minnie, and Pin. After awhile though it all works out, and the two apologize for lying and sneaking.

There is also a sequel to this, Return to Gone-Away I believe it is called, but I haven't read it yet.

I'd recomend this book as a family read-aloud, or for ages 8 and up. :-)

Blessings,
~Hannah Grace

Review of "Eight Cousins" by Louisa May Alcott

Eight Cousins

written by Louisa May Alcott

286 pages

 

 

 

A charming, darling book... just as any of Louisa May Alcott's works.

The story centers on a young girl named Rose and she is an orphan. (Don't we all love reading orphan stories?) She is sent to live on the Aunt-hill---that is, a place where her aunts live in houses all clustered together, on a hill. It certainly is a wonderful place. Rose has 7 cousins to play with---all of them are loud, merry, rambunctious boys. There is Archie, Charlie, Mac, Steve, Geordie, Will, and Jamie. Although it seems like a lot of characters to keep up with, you'll know each boy's own habits & personality by the end of the book. Rose immediately joins in their adventurous schemes---whether her aunts approve or not.

Her main care-taker is Uncle Alec, a man who reminds Rose immensely of her own father. He's a on a mission to get rid of all the aunts' advice about Rose taking daily medicines, and wearing those silly, fancy clothes. Because of Uncle Alec, and his well wishes for Rose, her life takes a turn... You'll have to read this lovely story to find out how it all happens.

I truly enjoyed "Eight Cousins"---it's a classic piece of writing. It certainly has that timeless appeal of vintage literary treasure. I did read the actual book, but if anyone is interested in listening to the audio instead, you can find a free download here >> LibriVox.org

Recommended for age 10 & up, but any age would really enjoy it. I loved every bit of "Eight Cousins" and look on with full expectancy for the sequel, "Rose in Bloom".

Review Of The "PostCards From Pullman" series by Judith Miller

One of my favorite series of books that I have read this year are the Postcards From Pullman series by Judith Miller. The series includes the three books In The Company of Secrets, Whispers Along the Rails, and An Unexpected Change.

The series follows the life of Olivia Motte, an English maid who dreams of working in the kitchen as a cook. One day the daughter of the lady she works for, named Lady Charlotte, gives her a chance to be that....through deceit. The two of them travel to the town of Pullman, Illinois, where Olivia is given the job of assistant chef, and Charlotte attempts to right a wrong. Soon they are in a huge tangle of lies so awful they have to write them down to memorize! Will Olivia stop the lying she know is wrong before GOD, even if it means hurting her status with her job, new friends, and a beau?

My Review: As I have written, it one of my favorite series I have read in the past year. The description above is for the first book, and the following two continue the lives of Olivia and Charlotte. They were an enjoyable read, full of lovable characters and a nice story line. If you like historical fiction, some romance, and food, this book is one to add to your "to read" list.

I recommend for ages sixteen and up.