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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. I think I liked this one slightly better than the first. It’s a rare second installment of a trilogy where it feels like something actually happens, rather than the plot just spinning wheels until the contractually obligated third book comes along to disappoint everybody (trad publishing is so predictable).
In this book, Leah finally deals with her slimeball uncle - and what a slimeball he is. The guy is insanely creepy, with dressing Leah as a carbon copy of her dead mother, whom Leah’s uncle was sweet o. No, that’s not suspicious at all. Certainly not when he ties Leah to the bed to keep her from escaping. Which is even creepier when he claims he’s Leah’s real father 🤨 There are plenty of other terrible things the man does - there is no doubt who the villain of the piece is.
I knocked off a few points because the unfortunate problem of presentism still persists, as it did in the first book. True, that’s an issue with much historical fiction these days (especially in YA fiction) - gotta shoehorn a political message in somewhere, even though it sticks out just as badly as if the characters were using iPhones. It’s not only unnecessary, it’s irritating. One wonders what these authors and editors are thinking by it.
But on the whole, it was nice to feel like Leah’s story actually went somewhere. Now I can judge the next book on its own merit, rather than have to wait on a cliffhanger to be resolved.
PS - Can Baby Girl Joyner finally get a proper name? Please?
In this book, Leah finally deals with her slimeball uncle - and what a slimeball he is. The guy is insanely creepy, with dressing Leah as a carbon copy of her dead mother, whom Leah’s uncle was sweet o. No, that’s not suspicious at all. Certainly not when he ties Leah to the bed to keep her from escaping. Which is even creepier when he claims he’s Leah’s real father 🤨 There are plenty of other terrible things the man does - there is no doubt who the villain of the piece is.
I knocked off a few points because the unfortunate problem of presentism still persists, as it did in the first book. True, that’s an issue with much historical fiction these days (especially in YA fiction) - gotta shoehorn a political message in somewhere, even though it sticks out just as badly as if the characters were using iPhones. It’s not only unnecessary, it’s irritating. One wonders what these authors and editors are thinking by it.
But on the whole, it was nice to feel like Leah’s story actually went somewhere. Now I can judge the next book on its own merit, rather than have to wait on a cliffhanger to be resolved.
PS - Can Baby Girl Joyner finally get a proper name? Please?
I'm getting quite into this. The characters are strong and real. They don't do stupid nonsensical things for the sake of a story line.
4.6/5 stars, full review to come! Love my hufflepuff daughter ✌🏻
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
Rae Carson tackles difficult and painful subject matter in this novel, and while it may not have been perfect, it was clear that she was trying to be respectful and considerate.
As far Leah and Jefferson, what isn't to love? I love the way Jefferson is written, he is a wonderful male protagonist that doesn't fall into the hyper masculine stereotype that you see all over the place. Leah has more character growth, but even she realizes that while she has come a long way many things have stayed the same.
Very interested to see what is going to happen in the third and final book, seems like the majority of the story was well wrapped up (thankfully! cliffhangers are the worst).
As far Leah and Jefferson, what isn't to love? I love the way Jefferson is written, he is a wonderful male protagonist that doesn't fall into the hyper masculine stereotype that you see all over the place. Leah has more character growth, but even she realizes that while she has come a long way many things have stayed the same.
Very interested to see what is going to happen in the third and final book, seems like the majority of the story was well wrapped up (thankfully! cliffhangers are the worst).
The first book in this series was about crossing the country during the gold rush, and this one was about...being held captive. For nearly the entire book.
I don't remember the last time I read a book that I enjoyed so thoroughly and quickly as this (while I did enjoy Arabella of Mars, I think this book as it beat out by far). Perhaps the Lady Trents books, but those would be the closest.
I don't want to say to much because this is a sequal (if you haven't yet, you should definitely pick up [b:Walk on Earth a Stranger|17564519|Walk on Earth a Stranger (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #1)|Rae Carson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1424451210s/17564519.jpg|24498341] ASAP), but Leah (the main charater) is just such a joy for me to read. I really like her evolution (of which she does in more ways than one, if that makes sense), and I just really feel that we are similar in personality (I feel like I say that about every main female character these days lol).
Rae Carson is such a great writer. Even during her Girl of Fire and Thorns era (which you cannot tell me did not started the trend of The Blank of Blank and Blank YA titles), I loved her writing, but it has only improved since then. Honestly, I think it's even improved since Walk on Earth a Stranger. She is one of my favorites for sure.
I'm going to leave this review with this: Regardless of whether or not you're into YA, historical fiction, magical realism, or any other genre assigned to this book, please please please pick it up because it is definitely worth the read.
I don't want to say to much because this is a sequal (if you haven't yet, you should definitely pick up [b:Walk on Earth a Stranger|17564519|Walk on Earth a Stranger (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #1)|Rae Carson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1424451210s/17564519.jpg|24498341] ASAP), but Leah (the main charater) is just such a joy for me to read. I really like her evolution (of which she does in more ways than one, if that makes sense), and I just really feel that we are similar in personality (I feel like I say that about every main female character these days lol).
Rae Carson is such a great writer. Even during her Girl of Fire and Thorns era (which you cannot tell me did not started the trend of The Blank of Blank and Blank YA titles), I loved her writing, but it has only improved since then. Honestly, I think it's even improved since Walk on Earth a Stranger. She is one of my favorites for sure.
I'm going to leave this review with this: Regardless of whether or not you're into YA, historical fiction, magical realism, or any other genre assigned to this book, please please please pick it up because it is definitely worth the read.
Doubting between 4-5 stars.
I neeeded a series this good for a longgg time. This book was a doozy. And not in a boring way, but the heavy topics in this book (like the history of enslavement/massacre of the indigenous people) was absolutely heart breaking, and made the book hard to get through at points. I liked that even though Leah helps this isn't put as a white saviour moment. How can she even "save" them from something her forefathers caused anyway. Still I doubt the subject was handled the best it could've been but I am in no position to decide that.
I love Jefferson too of course. Nothing will hit the sweet spot for me quite as much as best friends to lovers.
And I love love love Wilhelm. Give me a silent brute with a heart of gold and I WILL love him to pieces. If he doesn't become part of the main cast in book three I will actually riot.
Now for the things I didn't love as much;
Leah's change of heart about of wanting to keep her independence and not marry was sort of "resolved" too quickly. Imo if Jefferson didn't want to own land anyway, and obviously not go the all American route, he may as well been with Leah without marrying. But oh well.
Anddd not wanting to kill Hiram was kind of weird to me. I get that she personally couldn't kill him. But, he was a slaver, a misogynist, a racist and an implied rapist. Of alll the people to get moral about not murdering, why him?
I neeeded a series this good for a longgg time. This book was a doozy. And not in a boring way, but the heavy topics in this book (like the history of enslavement/massacre of the indigenous people) was absolutely heart breaking, and made the book hard to get through at points. I liked that even though Leah helps this isn't put as a white saviour moment. How can she even "save" them from something her forefathers caused anyway. Still I doubt the subject was handled the best it could've been but I am in no position to decide that.
I love Jefferson too of course. Nothing will hit the sweet spot for me quite as much as best friends to lovers.
And I love love love Wilhelm. Give me a silent brute with a heart of gold and I WILL love him to pieces. If he doesn't become part of the main cast in book three I will actually riot.
Now for the things I didn't love as much;
Leah's change of heart about of wanting to keep her independence and not marry was sort of "resolved" too quickly. Imo if Jefferson didn't want to own land anyway, and obviously not go the all American route, he may as well been with Leah without marrying. But oh well.
Anddd not wanting to kill Hiram was kind of weird to me. I get that she personally couldn't kill him. But, he was a slaver, a misogynist, a racist and an implied rapist. Of alll the people to get moral about not murdering, why him?
Review can be found on *Milky Way of Books*.
"Walk on Earth a Stranger" was one of the best cowboy-western books I've read in 2015. Rae Carson is a top author for me, since the day I discovered her debut series "Girl of Fire and Thorns".
In the sequel Lee and her firends begin their lives as they try to settle in California. There's almost no law, there are thieves and suspicious people and Lee's uncle still wants her for her gift.
I truly enjoyed the sequel. There is action from the first scene and also love blossoms not only for Lee but also for other characters as well. Many issues are also touched in this book. The behavior against Native Americans, how the Chinese did play an important role in this time of the American history as also how religion can be used for selfish reasons.
Despite Lee's fear, she still manages to be a strong willed girl with her favorite horse and Jefferson. I loved how sweet their relationship became, keeping the appropriate social rules of course. And while most of the first book's enemies were finally gone in this book, I still can't help but feel that another, more powerful one has appeared.
I can only hope that the final book will be just as amazing as these two have been so far. ;)
"Walk on Earth a Stranger" was one of the best cowboy-western books I've read in 2015. Rae Carson is a top author for me, since the day I discovered her debut series "Girl of Fire and Thorns".
In the sequel Lee and her firends begin their lives as they try to settle in California. There's almost no law, there are thieves and suspicious people and Lee's uncle still wants her for her gift.
I truly enjoyed the sequel. There is action from the first scene and also love blossoms not only for Lee but also for other characters as well. Many issues are also touched in this book. The behavior against Native Americans, how the Chinese did play an important role in this time of the American history as also how religion can be used for selfish reasons.
Despite Lee's fear, she still manages to be a strong willed girl with her favorite horse and Jefferson. I loved how sweet their relationship became, keeping the appropriate social rules of course. And while most of the first book's enemies were finally gone in this book, I still can't help but feel that another, more powerful one has appeared.
I can only hope that the final book will be just as amazing as these two have been so far. ;)
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes