Maiden of Iron: A Steampunk Fable--A Review and Giveaway

Last fall I purchased Edie Melson's book,  Maiden of Iron, at the Write2Ignite conference and I just got around to reading it. Who knew that such a fabulous story was quietly sitting on my shelf waiting for me to plunge into?

REVIEW

If you (or a middle grade or young adult reader you want to give this book to--after you read it) love books that include espionage, a threatened monarchy, dirigibles, dungeons, duals, germ warfare, childhood friends who can't seem to figure out that they love each other, Robin Hood and Maid Marion, revenge, dying children, a wedding that should never happen, and fantastic science-fiction-steampunk inventions--then, this is the book for both of you. 

Maiden of Iron has all of this--plus great writing, terrific pacing and tension, two points of view (AND an omniscient point of view-- trust me, it works!), two brave protagonists, and an antagonist that you want to detest! What more could a reader ask for?

I normally take my blog readers through the plot of a book, but I think the description above should whet your appetite.  But just so you can see what I mean, here are a few snippets. 

Lady Marion Ravenswood leaned back on her elbows and kicked at the tunnel grate. The long, black leather duster had been a good choice, protecting her trousers from the dirt and chill, but she should have thought to bring an oil can as well. The humidity in these steam tunnels played havoc with iron, and things were always rusting shut. 

"Come on girlie, put a little weight behind it." Gretta, also in men's attire, squatted in the tunnel behind Mairon, looking more at home in the breeches than any lady of quality ever should. "We need to get in place." 

Marion took a deep breath, made a conscious effort to ignore the stench, and kicked again, sending the metal grate tumbling to the floor." (p.1)

Are you intrigued? Here's more later in the chapter:

Even if he couldn't see what was happening, the noise around Robin proved the little minx was making good her threat to steal his gold. Bested in front of his men--by a girl no less. Well, no longer a girl. The glimpse he'd had was of a striking young woman. As he struggled with his bonds, they began to loosen. Beautiful or not, perhaps he'd turn the tables on her yet.

"You know we'll be long gone before you wiggle free." Marion's voice was low and close. (p.9)

And from the opening of Chapter 4 where the reader meets the antagonist:

Lord Stanton stepped away from the doorway to examine the stallion as the groom led him into the bright sun of the stone-cobbled yard. Edward's chest expanded as he gazed on his latest creation. Easily eighteen hands, but not just the size distinguished this equine. Man O' War was the perfect union between horse and machine. The technology he used integrated the latest steam devices grafted on and within a living, breathing animal. The massive hindquarters were a miracle of intricate cogs, pistons, and flesh. (p. 42)

GIVEAWAY

I am giving away my gently read autographed copy of this book. Leave me a comment with your email address by 6 PM on September 4. If you're reluctant to leave your email address just send me an email and I'll enter your name. 

The Heart Changer by Jarmila del Boccio: A Review and E-Book Giveaway

Congratulations to Jana Leah who won D is for Down Under from last week's blog.

I will never read 2 Kings 5 the same again.

For those of you who don't know this Biblical account, this chapter of the Old Testament tells about Naaman, a captain in the Syrian army, who has leprosy. A young Israeli girl who he captured and gave to his wife, tells Naaman about how the prophet Elisha might be able to heal him. Despite his reluctance and pride, Naaman follows Elisha's instructions to dip seven times into the Jordan river and is healed. 

In Jarmila del Boccio's (she goes by "Jarm") debut middle grade novel, The Heart Changer, this Old Testament story is brought to life.

The young Israeli maid who Jarm named Miriam is given an authentic backstory which makes her believable and likable to modern-day girls. The story opens with Miriam's capture by the Syrians. Immediately, the reader empathizes with Miriam as she is torn away from her family. She is brought to Naaman's palace where the language, customs, religion, and people all are strange to her. Miriam is angry with Naaman for stealing her away, with God for deserting her, and for being forced into servitude to a woman who worships foreign gods. Add to that she is overwhelmingly worried that she will ever see her family again and must share a room with the servant girl who she replaced and who despises her. 

Throughout the book Miriam struggles with wanting to please her Heavenly Father and accept His will for her, at the same time that she struggles against homesickness and wanting her freedom. Bonds are established between Miriam and her master's wife who treats her as if she is her own daughter. In time, Miriam is able to say a few words to her mistress about the one true Jehovah. When Naaman discovers his leprosy, Miriam is the one who encourages him to seek the Lord's help--through the prophet Elisha. 

Miriam accompanies her master and mistress as they travel through Samaria to find Elisha. When they get to her village Miriam is fearful that her family has been killed. She is overjoyed to find out that they are still alive. 

In the end, not only is Naaman's body cleansed, but his heart is also changed. And so is Miriam's. She and her family learn to forgive those who harmed them and to accept the Lord's sovereignty in their lives.

Jarm's exhaustive research into the typography, animals, plants, food, dress, and customs brings the book to life. Girls from 8-12 and their mothers will enjoy reading or listening to this book together. 

I listened to the audio version and thought that the narrator, Brittany Goodwin, did an excellent job with the variety of voices. If you click on the audio version link, you'll find a link to hear a  snippet. 

To celebrate her book's one year birthday, Jarm is giving away a copy of the ebook to one fortunate reader. Leave me a comment (with your email address if you are new to my blog) by 6 PM on May 1 and I'll enter your name. Share this on social media or subscribe to my blog and I'll add another chance to win! 

Blue Birds and an ARC Giveaway!

This is the reason I love well-written historical fiction: It draws me into a place and time that I am barely familiar with, brushes me with information and imagery, and leaves me wanting to know more.

Enter Blue Birds by Caroline Starr Rose (G.P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguin Group USA). Written from the points of view of two fictional characters: Alis, the daughter of one of the British colonists to settle Roanoke Island and Kimi, a Native American who lost her father and sister at the hands of the English, this novel-in-verse creates a plausible story of the British who came to be known as the Lost Colony. 

"Roanoke map 1584" by John White - A British Museum photograph of the map. [1]. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roanoke_map_1584.JPG#/media/File:Roanoke_map_1584.JPG
Roanoke is the small pink island in the middle right.

Rose's excellent deep POV makes the reader feel like you can reach out and touch the protagonists; their longings, conflicts, beliefs and fears are exposed to the reader in simple, yet powerful language. The alternating viewpoints are an excellent way to show what it meant to both the English and Indians for colonists to settle the New World.

Be warned. In order to share the beauty of Rose’s free verse, but at the risk of including some spoilers, this review consists of portions of the novel. (Please note: I am quoting from an ARC which is the uncorrected text.)

The book opens with the colonists’ arrival at Roanoke and Alis remembering her uncle’s words when he give her a small carving of a bluebird. This snippet foreshadows Alis’ conflicts: 

“The graceful bird

its wings rest so daintily.

This Uncle Samuel promised me:

Birds return home

no matter how they fly.

One set free might wander

but will eventually rejoin his flock." (p. 28)

Kimi watches with curiosity as Alis explores the area outside the palisade. Kimi is surprised to find a young girl in their midst; she longs for the her dead sister’s company. But she also deeply mistrusts the English. She returns to work with the other women:

“Like the corn,

a woman

spreads her roots wide,

like the bean,

a woman

settles her roots deep.

If we hope to rid ourselves of them,

push them from us

Once and for all,

We must do it

Before their roots take hold." (p.34)

Their first meeting is poignant. First from Kimi’s viewpoint:

“Her eyes fly to me,

grow wide

but do not falter,

though she wears panic on her face.

Her skin too delicate,

like a thin-barked tree;

her body bundled,

thick like a caterpillar." (p.45)

  

Then Alis’ viewpoint:

"Motionless
she stands.

Markings spiral up her arms,

snake down below her fringed skirt-

the only clothing she wears-

Like fine embroidery stitched into skin.

Copper flashes at her earlobes,

a rope of pearls encircles her neck.

Short hair covers her forehead,

the rest gathered behind.

She studies me."  (p. 46)

Kimi finds the wooden bird when Alis accidentally drops it. Alis doesn't go anywhere without it and Kimi assumes it is a source of power to her. Here are Kimi's thoughts and observations:

"I dance her wooden bird
across my fingertips,
perch it on the back of my hand.

The girl is not welcome here.

Her hair,
so colorless,
her eyes,
pale pools of water.

I imagine her
cowering in her village
without her power.
I want to see
her weakness.

She comes 
from brutal people,
yet is as loving 
with her mother as we are.

Can both things be true?" (p. 62)

The girls, both longing for a friend, are drawn together risking discovery and disapproval from their families. From Alis:

"I stay
long enough to study
the patterns on her arms,
close enough 
to meet her eyes
with no urge to lower my gaze.

We are not together, 
but neither are we apart.

Three times 
I have come here.
Three times
we have met.

Something
fascinating, fragile
grows between us." (p. 94)

Even as they are drawn to one another, tragic events swirl around them. Their budding friendship is tested by old prejudices, present fears, and the painful consequences of their families' decisions. From Alis:

"I cannot escape the truth
that living here brings danger.

    I imagine meeting Kimi
    in a place we mustn't hide.

It never was expected
we'd remain on Roanoke.

    If we had never journeyed here,
    how much my life would lack.

We are impoverished,
desperate.

    I'm most myself 
    when with her.

How might I find peace
when two worlds war inside?"  (p. 311)

This beautifully written novel will be an excellent classroom resource for readers ages 10-14.  And even if you don’t win it, I hope you will read and/or purchase it for the middle grade girl in your life. The images of friendship, loyalty, and self-sacrifice—and the blue birds themselves--will stay imprinted in your mind long after reading it.

North Carolina
Outer Banks

Click here for an interview with Caroline Rose. And click here for a link to the September issue of Talking Story, where Joyce Hostetter and I are giving away this ARC in our issue on Character Education. Leave a comment on this blog to be entered once in this giveaway; leave a comment through the newsletter and I'll enter your name twice. 

"Croatoan" by Unknown - English Wikipedia. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Croatoan.jpg#/media/File:Croatoan.jpg

The author’s notes at the end verified how well Caroline Rose used the minimal facts we know about the Lost Colony and the Roanoke and Croatoan Indians. 

Note: This review was initially posted on LitChat.