Across the Great Barrier (Frontier Magic Book #2)

Three years have passed since Eff defeated the mirror bugs that threatened to destroy the Western settlements and became a hero, despite her being the thirteenth child. Now 18-years-old, Eff needs to figure out what she wants to do with her life. Her brother Lan, magician prodigy and the seventh son of a seventh son, wants her to continue her magical education with formal training at a name school. The only problem is Eff still has difficulty with Avrupan magic and must compensate by using Aphrikan magic to force her spells to work. Instead of more schooling, Eff really wants to continue helping Professor Jeffries at the menagerie and to explore more of the mysterious Far West past the Great Barrier. Eff’s desires become reality when she’s asked to join an expedition with Professor Torgeson and Wash, her Aphrikan magic mentor. On their journey they uncover some peculiar findings: magical and normal animals petrified. Eff and the others must find out if this happened because of some natural fossilization process or if another creature with great power is causing this.

Across the Great Barrier is an excellent follow up to Wrede’s first book in the series, Thirteenth Child. You won’t find Wrede’s version of the late 19th century western expansion in U.S history books, but she does an excellent job creating a fascinating alternate history. In this book we even find out that while the events parallel our own U.S history, the characters are in the United Sates of Columbia not America. Wrede’s novel is historical, coming-of-age, and adventure rolled into one good story. While this story is a sequel, enough of the first book is explained that it could stand alone. Here’s to hoping that there will be more books in the series!

Revolver Book Review

“Even the dead tell stories.”

You think that once a person is gone, they no longer exist and they have no future. But that’s not true. Their legacy will always live on, and their unfinished business will simply be passed to their remaining loved ones. No one’s story ever truly ends, as is the case with Einar, recently deceased father to Sig and Anna.

The time: late nineteenth century-early 20th century during the Gold Rush.Tthe location: the Arctic Circle. Einar moved his family to the Arctic Circle in hopes of getting rich on gold. Months turned to years and his family continued to stay there, though no gold ever came. Eventually, Einar gets a job weighing gold, and at that time he comes in contact with a bear-like man. Years pass and this man shows up hours after Einar dies, saying he has unfinished business with him. Sig and Anna must take responsibility to deal with this man’s problem.

And what of the gun?

Why I picked it up: It was recommended to me as a 'must read.'

Why I finished it: The book sucked me in from the very first line. I didn't know a lot about the Gold Rush during that time, and I was also intrigued by the concept.

Who I'd give it to: Anyone who wants a quick read with great characters and a unique plot. Fans of historical fiction and back-and-forth timelines would love this, as well.

One Crazy Summer Book Review

It's 1968 and Delphine and her two youngers sisters are flying from Brooklyn to Oakland, California to spend a month with their mother, Cecile, who abandoned them years ago. Until now, all Delphine has known of her mother is the brief flashes she remembers and the negative things her grandmother and uncle have told her. Nothing can prepare Delphine for what she encounters when she arrives in California. Cecile's dislike and disinterest for her children is shocking to the girls. Instead of a summer at Disneyland and meeting glamorous movie stars, Delphine and her sisters are forced to spend their days out of Cecile's house and at a community center run by the Black Panthers. The summer turns out to be memorable and eye opening for both Delphine and the reader. A must-read!