What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . . .

The Gallant Guardian by Evelyn Richardson -- Regency Romance
Maximillian Stanforth, Marquess of Lydon is shocked to receive an imperious summons by his new ward, Lady Charlotte Winterbourne, for he did not know he had a ward, let alone two wards, as Charlotte's letter suggests. Not wanting to be bothered with children, Max allows his solicitor to deal with the situation until Charlotte shows up on his doorstep and Max discovers she's not a child, but an intrepid young woman who is determined to keep her slimy relatives from locking away her "simple" brother and taking over the estate. Max decides to visit Harcourt and his wards and takes a liking to young William and bonds with the boy over their shared love of horses. Charlotte too intrigues Max and he is awed by how she has been able to care for her brother and look after the estate for her long-absent father. Max, unused to any any sort of family feeling is touched by the devotion the siblings have for one another and finds himself captivated by Charlotte and anxious to protect her body and soul. However, Charlotte is not used to help and has a hard time accepting Max's loving attention. While the story's ending is predictable, the plot reveals more depth than most Regency Romances. At first it seemed like the story was going to be cliched because of the wording and plot situations, but once I got into it, I found myself feeling for the characters. The backstory in this novel is rather sad and I found myself nearly in tears by the end. Max's way of showing Charlotte that they are meant to be together would have won me over! This is an unusual story and I recommend it to those who like more substance in their Regencies.

A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson -- YA Historical Romance
In 1912 England, Eighteen-year-old Harriet Morton lives a sheltered life with her strict, old-fashioned professor father and frugal aunt. Her father removed her from school when it was suggested that Harriet attend University and Harriet is not allowed without being chaperoned by her aunt or her aunt's dour lady friends. Her father wishes to marry her off to a boring young Zooology professor. Harriet's only real joy in life is ballet, though she's never been allowed to perform on stage. A Russian ballet master visits Harriet's dance class to recruit dancers for a ballet company tour of the Amazon region and specifically chooses Harriet, an honor she can only dream about because her father refuses to allow her to go. A visit to a rundown brings a chance encounter with a little boy who dreams of traveling to the Amazon and finding the lost boy, his hero, who used to live on the estate. When Henry hears of Harriet's ballet dream, he encourages her to follow her dreams and also to help him find the missing boy. Harriet devises a clever scheme and runs away to join the corps de ballet and is beloved by everyone she meets, especially Romain Paul Verney Brandon, alias Rom Verney, the wealthy British planter who happens to be the runaway boy now a grown man. Rom wants to protect Harriet from her foolish suitor who has come to claim her for her father and captures Harriet's heart forever. Harriet enjoys the blissfulness of being with Rom physically and spiritually for as long as she can for Rom's former love and sister-in-law is now widowed and on the brink of losing the estate Rom once called home. Rom fears Harriet will choose ballet over him and a misunderstanding may cause Harriet to disappear forever. This story is much more of a romance than some of her other books. The love story takes center stage and there is a closed-door love scene and mentions of being ravished. I couldn't find myself to like Harriet as a heroine because she is incredibly weak and helpless in addition to being pure and good. I felt sorry for her that she had such awful guardians and that some misunderstandings ruined her happiness. I thought it was strange that Rom first wanted to protect Harriet and then fell in love with her. As usual, there is more direct narrative than dialogue and Rom's backstory is revealed even before we meet him. There are some wonderful descriptions of the ballets performed and life in the corps de ballet. I could also picture Brazil from the details in the novel. This book isn't bad, it's just not my taste. I recommend it for romance fans in their late teens. Those who crave historical details over excessive romance, don't read this book.


The Remarkable & Very True Story of Lucy & Snowcap by H. M. Bouwman -- Middle Grades Historical fantasy
In 1775, a ship bearing 255 English prisoners headed for indentured servitude in Virginia was shipwrecked off the northeast coast of America. The prisoners that survived were helped by the native Colay people onto the main island of Tathenland and set up their own government as a colony of Great Britain. The Colay people were made subjects of the king and trade partners of the English Tahtenlanders and the two cultures coexisted peacefully for 12 years until Governor and Mrs. O'Kelly were killed and the Colay people blamed for inciting a rebellion. The Colay were banished to the outlying islands and the desert, but what the English didn't know, was that all the Colay men and boys were turned to stone statues. A Colay prophecy declares that a child born on the island of Sunset will be the one to save their people. When a baby boy is born, his rather unremarkable 12-year-old sister Lucy decides he will not become a statue and will grow up and save the Colay. Lucy and baby Rob set off on a mission to take the baby to safety. Meanwhile, the Child Governor Snowcap Margaret O'Kelly, a beautiful, spoiled 12-year-old, fears someone is trying to kill her and decides to escape the city. Sadly, Snowcap doesn't have anyone to turn to for help because her tantrums have exasperated and alienated everyone except the horse groom, Adam. When Snowcap and Lucy's journeys intersect, they must learn to trust in each other in order to survive. Together they continue on an amazing adventure that takes them through the woods where they are chased by wild dogs and up a mountain which descends into a steep cliff over the sea. The girls are helped along the way by Adam, and Philip, the foolish tutor, who listen to the girls' stories and share their own knowledge of the history of Tathenland. The girls discover that someone is trying to control the land and the land is angry as a result. It will take a great leader, a shaman, to right the wrongs and defeat the curse. Lucy and Snowcap realize that though they are young girls, they possess the knowledge and the courage to save Tathenland. Their journey takes them on a fantastic adventure before it's through. This story combines elements of magic with historical fact and teaches subtle lessons. It deals delicately with native/English relations and shows how history changes based on who is telling it. I think the lessons will be absorbed subconsciously by the reader and hopefully the reader will learn from it and consider applying the story of Lucy and Snowcap to real life. The magic element requires the reader to suspend disbelief but the magic is earth-based and realistic for the world in which the story is told. Snowcap and Lucy are both difficult to like at first but as they head further into danger and unknown territory, they grow and change and my attitude towards them shifted. I especially liked how the author fleshed out the history and culture of Tathenland through the writings of Philip and through the stories of the Colay. It made the world seem real and it wasn't hard to relate to real historical events. I couldn't put this fun book down and recommend it to girls 10+, especially Harry Potter fans who wish Harry was a girl!


Sweetgrass Basket by Marlene Carvell -- Middle Grades Historical Fiction
Mattie and Sarah are two Mohawk sisters sent to the Carlisle Indian School in the early 1900s. Mattie tells Sarah to be brave and never cry, but it's hard to adapt and follow the school rules. Mattie excels in writing and makes a friend easily but Sarah has a harder time adjusting. Both girls are determined not to give up their heritage no matter what. Mattie is stubborn and defiant when the cruel headmistress accuses Mattie of stealing a broach. Mattie refuses to give in and Sarah must be especially strong for her sister. The story is told in blank verse poetry possibly reflecting the Mohawk language. There are some especially wonderful images of Mattie and Sarah's home and descriptions of their culture as they compare their new home to their old. This is a sad story about a terrible period in American History. I would especially recommend it as part of a school curriculum because the subject is important to know about. The story isn't particularly engaging as a novel.