The Sherwood Ring

"Ah, yes, I see," she remarked softly. "The dashing young hero who is going to save the whole cause of independence singlehanded." 

Source

So, The Sherwood Ring. If all historical fiction was this well done, I would read very little else. It's brilliant. Unfortunately, really well done historical fiction is a pain to find and the good ones I've read have spoiled me.

The Sherwood Ring is what got me started on the history of the American Revolution in the first place. I read it when I was fourteen or fifteen and fell in love with everything about it. (But mostely with Peaceable Sherwood) I was rather desperate to read more like it, but have yet to find a book that equals it. It's very frustrating.

The plot of this book is a little strange, when you stop and think about it. But while you're reading it, nothing could feel more natural.

Peggy Grahame is rather miserable. He father has just passed away, leaving her orphaned, and she finds herself living with her rather eccentric Uncle at the family estate, Rest-and-Be-Thankful. The estate dates away back to the early 1700's and is full of antiques and history.

"The first Enos Grahame came to Orange Country in New York and built the place in 1749, I think it was. He named it after that resting place on the hill at Edinburgh. The Grahames have been there ever since, accumulating family traditions."

Peggy is terribly lonely in the big, empty place. Her Uncle pays almost no attention to her, and the one fellow she met and became friends has been forbidden to visit Rest-and-be-Thankful by her Uncle and she doesn't know why.

That's when things get interesting. The ancestors of this old house began to visit to help her pass the time. Sure, they're ghosts, but they really do tell the most wonderful stories--all from the American Revolution. (I told you, the plot sounds really weird, but I promise it works!:)

'"Well, Peggy," said the young man, with a sudden delightful smile that changed his arrogant face completely. "Do you know who I am?"
I thought for a moment. I had, as a matter of fact, recognized him at once, but it seemed rude to use the actual word 'ghost.'"

I'm always impressed with the easy the author tells this story. It's actually a fairly complex idea and the stories of the past get woven in to Peggy's story in a brilliant way.
I am in complete awe of Elizabeth Marie-Pope's mastery of history. When she's writing about the Revolution, she is so comfortable with it that it is vivid and real. Something I find lacking in most historical fiction. She tells the story as if that were the only time frame she'd ever known and there's no need to explain aspects of it to you. That's just how it was.

I wont lie. The ghosts are my main reason for loving this book. They are fantastic. There are four of them, two men and two women, and their stories are all linked.

I'm going to attempt to 'cast' them for you. That's always fun. I know everyone has their own ideas of how book characters look, so these pictures are just my opinion. 

Richard Grahame

Source

If he were dark haired, he would be a really good Richard Grahame.

He starts out as a rather conceited young Colonel in the American army. He is under special orders from General Washington himself to put a stop to a very organized group of marauders causing all sorts of trouble in Orange County. Dick is delighted and doesn't think the job will be that difficult. But as time goes on and the groups exploits get stronger and better, Dick begins to realized just how wrong he was.

"It was the first time in my life that I had tasted real failure or shame, and I found them both uncommonly hard to swallow."

Eleanor Shipley

Source

She's known Dick since they were children and they've never gotten along. As fate would have it, Dick is ordered to set up his headquarters at the Shipley farm. And Dick is just as hard to get along with as Eleanor remembered. She can't help herself, she teases and mocks mercilessly when really she'd do anything to help him. If only he'd pay the tiniest bit of attention to her!

"That's very good of you," I murmured civilly. "Please don't hesitate to help yourself to that bunch of grapes just because I've come into the room."

"He must be very different from you, Colonel Van Spurter," I could not help remarking in the sweet, humble manner I used only when I was feeling my deadliest.

Peaceable Sherwood

Source

Of all of the character, Peaceable is the hardest on for me to cast. I went through every male actor I could think of, trying to come up with someone that would nail the role. Honestly, most of they actors I like are too old for the role. And even the ones I do like, aren't really Peaceable. But I couldn't leave him the only won without a picture. So you get to see a young Tom Hiddleston. I think he could play Peaceable to perfection. Whether he looks exactly like him or not. 

Clever, self-assured and older than he looks--and very British. That's pretty much Peaceable Sherwood. Also, he always get what he wants. Oh yes, and he's happens to be the leader of the 'group of marauders' that Dick is suppose to catch.  He's impossible not to like, but he could also use a good set-down from time to time.

"But Peaceable had risen already--to this day I do not know how he did it--swaying dizzily, with one hand clenched over the back of his chair, yet insanely, unbelievably, erect and unruffled."

Barbara Grahame

Source

 She has the misfortune (or good fortune, however you want to look at it) of meeting Peaceable Sherwood. She is, perhaps, one of the only people that could ever really outwit the fellow. It's unfortunate for her since she'd really rather not have to do that to him. But he does sort of bring it upon himself.

"I am very grateful to you, Captain Sherwood," I said with calm politeness, "for saving my life."


There. That's the best review I can manage. Though I really feel it doesn't do the book justice.

 I mentioned once that I don't have very many fictional crushes--well. Peaceable Sherwood is one of them. Though Dick definitely has his moments too. :)

It's a satisfying book, with a cozy sort of ending. There's plenty of excitement and clever plot development. I think I re-read this book almost one a year. I should really try and leave it be for a while. It's just such a lovely story, I can't help myself.

Now you should go find yourself a copy of the book and see for yourself just how fun it is.

Let me know if you ever get a chance to read it. I'd love to hear what you think of it.

God Bless!
Amy

Lark

I have been wanting to do a book review of Lark pretty much since I started my blog, but I could never find the 'right time' to do it. This book is so dear to my heart I'm a little afraid that I will never be able to do it justice. But then, if I don't do a review, some of you might never hear about this lovely story.

I am a big fan of historical fiction. I freakin' love historical fiction. That being said, it is extremely difficult to find good, accurate historical fiction. I am very picky about which ones I will read. It's got to be right. I can't stand it when the female characters are all feminist back in the 1500 and 1600's. That is not right.

Lark is at the very top of my historical fiction list.  It is right. *Nods*

So here I go.

"Lark blinked. She had never been particularly conscious of having originality and independence of mind, but now it had been brought to her attention,she saw quite clearly that it was so. The discovery pleased her."

Elizabeth Lennox, known as Lark, is miserably unhappy.

It is the year 1651 and Bonnie Prince Charlie is trying to take back his throne from Cromwell. All of Britain is up in arms and Lark's family, all staunch supporters of the Prince, have been exiled to France. But she was kidnapped by her Uncle Jeremiah, for her own safety of course, and is stuck living with all her Puritan cousins in England.
It is her Uncle Jeremiah's firm believe that she is meant to become a Puritan and marry his son, Will-of-God.

"'Look down upon Elizabeth, Oh Lord,' he commanded. Lark stiffened slightly. "Though knowest how I have tried to lead her from the ungodliness of her early training. Chasten her stubborn and rebellious spirit, and bring her in repentance to Thy feet so that she may become worthy to receive the name Submit."

It's been close to two years that Lark has been stuck living with her Aunt and Uncle, and when she finds out from an unlikely source that her sister, who married a Scott several years ago, is safe and still living in Scotland, Lark decides that she will run away to Scotland.

Something that's very useful to Lark is, even though she is thirteen, she is small and manages to look and act about ten. She uses this to her advantage. No one expects anything cunning from such a sweet, innocent looking little thing.

Enter James:
James is a messenger for Charles the second. He has a very important and dangerous job, traveling through England, and it's just bad luck that brought him to the clearing where Lark had gotten herself in trouble with a rather hulking Puritan boy only two days after her Great Escape.

"She was looking in alarm at a thick-set young man, also in Puritan dress, who advanced toward her angrily. Her brother, no doubt, and none of James's business  But an instant later he made it his business  For the young man gave the little girl a clout on the ear that knocked her to the ground, and James saw red."

One thing leads to another and James finds himself stuck with this 'little girl'. He knows she's a run-away but she refuses to tell James her real name. He doesn't have time to turn back and figure out where she belongs, and he can't just leave her all alone! Such a lovely little person like her...
So they set off together, James not knowing Lark's real name, and Lark not knowing James's. After all, it's safer for Lark if she doesn't know who he is.

'"But you'll have to go home--I mean back to your Uncle-- sooner or later," He explained kindly. "After all, where else can you go?"
"To Scotland," Lark told him as casually as if she had said, "across the road."
"Awp!" said James inadequately, and then became speechless."'

 This story has a little bit of everything. There are plenty of adventure, from Gypsies to escapes, to fights and a little bit of espionage-ish stuff. There is really good character development and the ending is so satisfying. *Sigh* Oh, and did I mention a tiny smidgen of romance?

The bit with the Gypsies is one of my favorite bits. Lark finally realizes that looking young has it's drawbacks. And one of the gypsy girls is very beautiful.

'"She gave Lark a sideways look. "He is very beautiful, this young man you travel with. Is he yours? If you don't even know his name, you can't know him very well. I think I like him."'

One of the things that I really love is how Lark's faith in God changes and grows. She was so young when she was separated from her family, and her Uncle teaches her such different things about God then her family did, that Lark is confused and thinks that God doesn't like her very much. As the story goes along, something happens and Lark has to put her trust in God. It's a subtle, but I loved that side of things.

James is like the perfect hero. He's awesome and might have been my first fictional crush. I would very much have loved to have an adventure with him. But those sorts of things don't happen to me. Maybe because I don't run away and do brave things.

The author handles the whole James-Lark situation really well. Nothing ever feels inappropriate or 'off' with them traveling across England alone. Jame is convinced Lark is very young and it takes the whole story for him to realize that she isn't quite as young as he thought. For the most part, they feel like brother and sisters, with a very gently shift to 'something more'. I love it.

"Lark dropped her chin and made a mental note of James's last name. It was nice. Trelawney. Lark Trelawney would sound well, too."

The dialogue is brilliant. It makes the book so easy to read and the characters are so realistic. I am one of those people that likes my stories character driven and this book totally is.

I have recommended this book to everyone I know. And no one has not loved it. :) Seriously, you should just go read it.

When I was younger, my family insisted that I acted a lot like Lark and I took this as a compliment. I wanted to be like her. She was so brave and plucky.
I am not as brave as she is, but sometimes the way her mind works remind me of myself. She feels logical and wonders why people don't just do things her way. I relate to her a lot. *Snicker*

Now.

And if you can't find it, just buy it! (You know you want to! *Grin*) I doubt you'd regret the purchase. GO HERE!

Alright. I should probably  stop gushing now. You're all like, "Oh, please..."

But honestly. If you can get your hands on Lark read it. And let me know how you like it. We can fangirl together. Seriously.

God Bless!
Amy

Keturah and Lord Death

This book was lovely. I have been in the mood for a book that is sweet, simple and beautifully written and this one delivered quite nicely. It's not a fast-paced sort of story, nor does anything spectacular happen in it. It's very much an old fashioned fairy tale--at least, that's the overwhelming feel of it.

"I will tell you a story of magic and love, of daring and death, and one to comfort your heart. It will be the truest story I've ever told. Now listen, and tell me if it is not so."

Keturah is sixteen when she get's lost in the forest--sixteen when Lord Death comes for her. She knows it is her time to die, but she tells the Great Lord a story. She tells him about a girl that is waiting for her true love.

“...the girl longed for a love that could not be ended by death. From the time she was young, she knew that her true love was there, somewhere, living a life that would one day intersect her own. Knowing this made every day full of sweet possibility. Knowing that her true love lived and breathed and went about his day under her same sun made her fears vanish, her sorrows small, and her hopes high. Though she did not yet know his face, the color of his eyes, still she knew him better than anyone else knew him, knew his hopes and dreams, what made him laugh and cry.” 

Lord Death listens and when she stops, the story hanging and unfinished, he tells her to go on.
Keturah tells him that she will finish telling him the story...tomorrow.

She asks for one more day to live.

And Death gives it to her. One more day to find her true love.

If she doesn't find him, though, than she will marry Lord Death himself.


“You, my lord, are the ending of all true stories.” 

Most stories in this day and age don't really put much importance on a girl longing to settle down and get married. For a girl's dreams to be quite simply a home to call her own, a husband that she loves and who loves her back, and her own little baby to rock to sleep. 

It was so refreshing.

Keturah is a very well-written character and the type of heroin that I wish would show up more often. She's brave without realizing how brave she is. She's not daring, she doesn't long for adventure and she doesn't want to die. But she makes sacrifices for her family, her friends and her town. She cares about people she doesn't really know. She puts others first all the time.

I really loved the way she faces Death.

“Tell me what it is like to die," I answered.
He dismounted from his horse, looking at me strangely the whole while. "You experience something similar every day," he said softly. "It is as familiar to you as bread and butter."
"Yes," I said. "It is like every night when I fall asleep."
"No. It is like every morning when you wake up.”

I love the way she longs so much to find her own true love. Not the shallow, passion-only type of love, but the real, grow-old-together type of love. It's sweet and sad and wonderful.

I confess, the whole ending made me cry. It was the perfect way to end the story, but it leaves you with a slightly achy feeling inside. Which is sometimes the way the story just has to end, you know?

This book is on the 'I will own this someday' list. I've never read another book like it, and it was so well done....

That's all for now!

Except, here's a video of Tom Hiddleston doing one of the most amazing Shakespeare monologues ever. 

It. Is. Awesome.

          

Book Review

I just finished reading The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner and it was so good I decided to do a book review.

It's been a while since I've found a book this well written and enjoyable. I've had a run of somewhat sub-par books and was beginning to get a bit depressed about it. There's nothing as sad as bringing home a stack of books, and not being satisfied with a single one of them!

Seriously depressing.

My sister happens to own The Thief and she kindly loaned it to me. We take reading very seriously,  you know, and when someone loans another their book...well, it is a very kind thing. :)

Right, here we go.


Gen is a thief. 

A rather proud, rather arrogant thief.

And it just so happens that he got caught stealing the King's Seal and is currently languishing in prison. That's what happens when you steal something and brag about it at the local wine shop.

“That prison," I said with heartfelt sincerity, "Was absolutely the most awful thing that has happened to me in my entire life." I could tell by the way he looked at me that he thought my life had been filled with one awful thing after another.”

Then Magus, the King's Scholar, suggests putting a use to the thief and test Gen's boast, "I can steal anything," (I said he was a bit arrogant, didn't I?)

“I want you to steal something."
I smiled. "Do you want the king's seal? I can get it for you."
"If I were you," said the magus, "I'd stop bragging about that." His voice grated.
My smile grew. The gold ring with the engraved ruby had been in his safekeeping when I had stolen it away.”

Gen has to travel to a neighboring kingdom and steal something called Hamaithes Gift. It is a precious stone and was traditionally used to show ruler-ship.

So, Gen and the Magus set out, along with two apprentices and a soldier/guard.

“All I wanted to do was lie in the dry grass with my feet in a ditch forever. I could be a convenient sort of milemarker, I thought. Get to the thief and you know you're halfway to Methana.”

Being, as he was, in prison for a couple months, Gen is rather out of shape, dirty and slightly ill. Instead of playing up that angle, though, he is just plain cranky and rude. He insults his fellow travelers every chance he gets, complains non-stop and must always have the last word.

“No friend had I made there, but I wasn't with this group to make friends, and besides, he sneered too much. I've found that people who sneer are almost always sneering at me.”

Despite how much of a stinker Gen is, you honestly can't help but like him. You want to give him a good shake at certain times, but he is undeniably charming. And there is just something about him that you can't quite put your finger on...

“A thief never makes a noise by accident.”

As the story unfolds and things become more serious, all the characters show what they're made off. There are some really surprising twists and turns in the plot that I never saw coming and that really added to the story's strength. 

Friendships are made.

There is betrayal.

I grew to love Gen. He is darn right cool. Plus, he's a little guy and I always like that. ;) 

“Being six feet off the ground does give one a sense of superiority.” 

I don't think you could really call him a hero, he's too rotten for that. But he is courageous and honorable...

And if he'd only straighten up a little he could be one.

The story alternates between witty and carefree to dark and very serious. A rather perfect mixture for a quest, no?

“Dying would have been so much easier.”

I finished the first book and went to the second one, The Queen of Attolia without a pause.

And if it's possible, I'm enjoy this one even more. You get catapulted into the story and something happens right off the start that caught me totally by surprise.

And made me rather angry.


Anyway! That's that. I recomend these books with five gold stars! Absolutely fantastic. :)

God bless!
Amy