Sunday 5 December 2010

In My Mailbox and thoughts about In The Shadow Of The Lamp by Susanne Dunlap

In My Mailbox is feature held by the lovely Kristi at The Story Siren, which encourages bloggers to share what new books they have got this week.

This week I got:

Crusade by Linda Press Wolf for review from Bloomsbury, which is being released in January. Thank you Bloomsbury!

Blurb summary:

'When a dazzling handsome boy riding a white charger arrives in Georgette's village, she is spellbound- both by the boy and by the crowd that surrounds him. They are all children. The boy is even more entrancing when he speaks. He sees volunteers to join his Crusade-  a perilous mission from which some may not return.
Georgette has never left her village before, but she knows she will follow the boy.
And so begins a journey filled with terrible danger, sacrifice and true love, a journey which will take all of Georgette's courage to survive.'

The press sheet describes it as 'both thought provoking and powerful it should find a place in every historical fiction fan's library.'

I have had this on my TBR list ever since I saw it featured on a Waiting on Wednesday post and it was a lovely surprise to have it arrive through my mailbox. It sounds so intriguing and is set in a period of history that I have not read much about so I'm looking forward to reading it.

Over the last week I have read finished reading Captivate by Carrie Jones and will be reading the third book in the Need series, Entice soon.

My thoughts about In The Shadow Of The Lamp by Susanne Dunlap

I won an ARC of In The Shadow Of The Lamp by Susanne Dunlap a few weeks ago on her Facebook page and this week I finished reading it. I will post a review nearer the release date in April next year but I want to share some of my thoughts about it now.

Here is the Goodread's description of it:

'It's 1854 and sixteen-year-old Molly would give anything to change her circumstances as a lowly servant in a posh London house. So when she hears of an opportunity to join the nurses who will be traveling with Florence Nightingale to the Crimea, she jumps at the chance. The work is grueling, the hospital conditions deplorable, and Miss Nightingale a demanding teacher. Before long, the plight of British soldiers becomes more than just a mission of mercy as Molly finds that she's falling in love with both a dashing young doctor and a soldier who has joined the army to be near her. But with the battle raging ever nearer, can Molly keep the two men she cares for from harm? A love story to savor, and a fascinating behind-the-scenes imagining of the woman who became known as "the lady with the lamp."

I loved the premise for it as I have studied Florence Nightingale at school and I thought it sounded like it was told from an interesting angle and it turned out that I *loved* it! It was everything a fantastic YA historical fiction novel should be. The protagonist Molly was a character that I instantly warmed to and she was a very strong willed girl with lots of courage to overcome her fears making her very sincere. Her voice was very distinct and really drew me into the story so that I read it at every spare moment I had at school, on the bus, or at home. Susan Dunlap has captured the horrors and hardships of the Crimean war through the eyes of a young girl in words perfectly.  It is one of my favourite books that I have read this year and should definitely be added to your 2011 reading list!

12 comments:

  1. So, so glad you loved IN THE SHADOW OF THE LAMP. I read ANASTASIA'S SECRET, and absolutely adore it. It's among my top 2010 reads. ;) I can't wait to read it. She's sending me an ARC, via super slow mail.

    Also, HAPPY READING!

    My mailbox: http://wordsonpaperya.blogspot.com/2010/12/in-my-mailbox-18.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. Crusade looks like a good one - I love the cover! Bloomsbury always have lovely books! Happy reading, doll! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great books! Crusade looks fabulous.
    My IMM

    ReplyDelete
  4. Crusade went straight on my TBR list. Great mailbox this week and I hope you have loads of fun reading :)
    You can find my mailbox at The Bookish Snob

    ReplyDelete
  5. I can't wait to read In the Shadow of the Lamp. I'm hoping the publisher will send me an ARC since I got some other books from them in the past.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hope you enjoy your books and have a great week! :)

    Here's what's in my mailbox this week!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really want to read In The Shadow of the Lamp! I hope you have a great week :)

    Here's what I got in my mailbox this week :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I hope you enjoy your book!

    Happy Reading,
    Zakiya - My IMM is here

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hey I prefer YA, fanstay novels but from time to time I really enjoy historical romances.The Shadow Of The Lamp by Susanne Dunlap sounds just so good and intriguing. Can't wait to read it myself:) Enjoy your books!
    Here is my Mailbox

    And don't forget to check out my Holiday Giveaway for the chance to win 1 out of 6 2011 release novels. This giveaway ends Jan 3rd and is open internationally:) You  can find it...here!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Both of these books are on my list of books to read next year. I read a lot about Florence Nightingale when I was younger so that one sounds interesting, but a novel of the children's crusade is really the time period I love.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Aw so awesome to hear that you loved In the Shadow of the Lamp! I don't think I've read the author's other books but that one is on my wishlist and it's great to hear in advance that you enjoyed it :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great books! I'm a new follower -- I enjoyed reading your blog.

    ReplyDelete

I love comments, they make me smile! So thank you for taking the time to write one, I read all of them.
I try my best to reply here or on your blog :)

Stephanie x