Review: The Vespertine

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
Publication Date: March 7, 2011
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books

It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

Before I start with the review, how gorgeous is this cover? LOVE.

I didn't know what I was getting into when I read The Vespertine. I knew it was a paranormal/historical fiction book, but that was it. When I got into work one day it was sitting on the counter with my name on it and I don't ask questions when a book has my name on it, so I picked it up. I was pleasantly surprised!

Remember back in the 1800s when the word "dash" was a bad word? Only me? Am I the only immortal blogger on the internet? Or maybe I just felt like I was there. I can't tell the difference anymore, because Saundra Mitchell did such a great job of setting the scene for a Baltimore in 1889. While reading The Vespertine I could visually see and hear everything that was happening. LOVE (again). Another great aspect of the book is the narrator and main character, Amelia. She is witty and smart, but is also still very much a true Victorian young woman of the time. Does that make sense? I also enjoyed her interactions with her cousin Zora and Nathaniel. Amelia and Zora develop a really strong friendship and Nathaniel...oh, Nathaniel, how do I compare thee...? You remain a mystery but yet I still want your body *cough cough*, I mean, I want to know more about you.

Speaking of mystery, the only problem I had with the book is that it leaves the reader with a lot of questions, a lot of what and why. Where do these powers come from? Who exactly is Nathaniel? I don't necessarily feel that the paranormal aspect of the book should have been front and center, but I would have liked some more explanation(s). I'm hoping that this is because these questions will be answered in the third book, which does not have a synopsis or title yet (it comes out in 2013), so I have put together a title for Mitchell just in case she doesn't have one. The plot, obviously, comes with it:

Everything You Wanted to Know About Nathaniel (and Amelia Too, I Guess...) (Vespertine #3)

I've seen some reviewers talking about how all the characters seemed so accepting of Amelia's ability, but it didn't bother me at all. Victorian America was an era of mystics, spiritualists, and magic. Everyone was curious about it, so if it turns out that they have a friend who can see the future, awesome! And for free? Even more awesome! Or that's how I, at least, read it.

On a final note, The Vespertine isn't a book of action and it's not fast-paced. In fact, I would say the first two-thirds of the book is mainly set-up and not a lot happens until the end. I didn't care, though, because the author's dialogue and description were enough to keep me entertained until the final "BAM" moment.

Review: Cleopatra's Moon

First, I would like to point out that, so far, the book reviews I've written have been fairly positive. It just so happens I've been on a good luck streak of great books recently and Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter has not ruined my luck. This book is fantastic.

I've always been fascinated by ancient history and originally majored in it at college...until I realized I would eventually have to do my own research and write my own papers (can you believe that? shocking). I figured out I prefer to read others' books on the subject, so hear I am. It's rare to find a YA fiction book set in ancient Rome and Egypt so I was excited when a co-worker told me about Cleopatra's Moon. The best words I can give this book are "beautiful" and "epic."

To make it clear for those not familiar with the book, it follows Cleopatra's daughter Cleopatra VIII Selene, not Cleopatra VII who we're all familiar with. I think it's rather difficult to write a historical fiction novel that doesn't feel a little dry at times, but that's not the case with this book. Shecter made these famous historical characters come to life. Congratulations Vicky! You win my smiles. Even though I knew most of what was going to happen (history buff, I am), I couldn't put the book down. I really felt for Cleopatra Selene; when she cried, I cried. It's been a while since a book has made me cry and I got teary eyed twice. Another example of the realism, I've always had an intense love for Roman history and, for the first time, Shecter made me hate them. What a society of bastards. I already knew this, but it was interesting to see them from another point of view.

This book is a must read for historical fiction fans, though I would say for older teens than younger. It does contain sensuality, but there is so much substance and detail that I feel it would go over the heads of the younger audience. This is definitely a book adults will enjoy, if not more so than the the YA audience.