This book is mediocre at best. The one thing I really did like about this book is the protagonist, Elizabeth. She would be a very good, rounded, and dynamic character if the author was more skilled at writing. However, her spunk and defiance against the sexist practices during this time period gives the book a very feminist outlook.
The plot was a little like a badly written soap drama; there was no real development in the events, and all of them were pretty predictable. Also, the plot was not very compelling; I was counting down the chapters until I finished the book.
Some of the moments in this book were truly touching and well written, but most of the time the writing was laden with cliché phrases like, “I had found a beautiful friendship to treasure” (McClure, 101). The historical accuracy isn’t bad, but the voice of the novel sometimes slips and sounds modern. If you’re looking for a good historical fiction read, don’t bother with this one.
There are plenty of other well-written books about the American Civil War.
Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Hinsdale, IL USA
