Monday, March 16, 2009

Review: Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson


Book: Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, Winner of the 2009 Scott O'dell Award

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

Rating: A

For: Fun... and because I hope to meet this author next week!

I know many of you have been raving about this book for quite awhile now, but I hadn't realized what it was about. I was expecting something along the lines of Speak, but it turns out, this book is more along the lines of Fever, 1793.

This is the story of Isabel, a slave girl in 1776. The book begins when her owner dies, and Isabel expects to now be free, since her owner said she freed her in the will. However, of course that doesn't happen and she gets sold and moved to New York. It's here that she gets all mixed up in the beginning of the Revolutionary War. She's torn as to which side might help her, the Rebels or the Patriots. She gets into a much trouble, but through it all shows a strong, brave spirit.

This book gives you a wonderful idea for what life was like during this crazy time period, and especially the awful conditions of the slaves. And the prisoners of war too. Wonderful writing, and a sense of getting "lost in the story." I loved every minute of it.

And once again, I didn't realize I was reading a book that had plans "to be continued!" Things were just getting extremely exciting and intense when it ended with those words! ARRGHH! And so, the wait begins for yet another sequel!

Other reviews:

Book Nut
One Librarian's Book Reviews
Maw Books Blog
A Comfy Chair and a Good Book
Review X
Reading is my Superpower
Becky's Book Reviews





3 comments:

  1. I am always so impressed when an author writes a completely different book.

    How amazing to get to met her!

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  2. That drives me nuts (the to be continued thing) but at the same time I love knowing that I still have more of the story to read. The downside being that often sequels don't live up to the first book.

    I have heard so many good things about this author, and I can't wait to start reading her books. I hope you get to meet her!

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  3. I can't wait for the next book! I just started reading Fever 1793. I'm only a few pages in but it's off to a great start. I can't wait to meet her too!

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