Customer Comments

This haunting book was beautifully written and transported me to Chicago during the 1980s and 90s. I fell in love with these characters over and over and suffered loss as the gay community was devastated by AIDS during that time. This book remains etched in my memory.

This is a small gem of a novel, historical in setting and bringing to life colonial New York. The main character is a man of mystery... Trying to deduce his motives makes this novel fascinating and fun. The protagonist, fresh from London, relies on his wits and education to navigate the challenges of what will become a great city. There are twists and turns, heartbreak and heroics. All will be clear in the end.

This carefully crafted historical novel takes us into the world of Victorian-era fox hunting and brings to life the tensions between classes and nobility versus new wealth. A young heiress with a seemingly good head on her shoulders falls for a handsome ladies' man, who is torn between the desire for a straight forward life with the young (albeit plain) heiress and the temptation of an affair with nobility. The backdrop of the picturesque hunting season in England adds drama and intrigue. Queen Victoria makes more than one appearance (although not always a flattering portrayal). The dialogue is smart and enjoyable, chock full of word play and subtlety. I devoured this book over the weekend, savoring the thoughtful twists and historical nuances.

My 12 year-old son talked me into taking this book with me on a business trip recently. I was a little reluctant, but was surprised how quickly I slid into Leo Caraway's world. The characters were terrific with a lot of range and the ring of authenticity. I loved the story of this seemingly normal high school senior who got caught up in the world of rock 'n roll as he tried to solve a dilemma about attending college. For those of us who lived the New Wave and Punk Rock era, there was a lot to enjoy in the characters of King Maggot and his entourage. The book treads some interesting waters-- issues regarding biological parents, aging idols, roadies, and revival rock tours. There's some really fine work here about teen identities, too. I was unexpectedly drawn in and found it very hard to willingly set down the book until it was over. Who knew teen fiction could be so good?

This book opened my eyes to the slave trade in modern day. A must read for everyone who thinks slavery was abolished at the time of the Civil War. Stories like Ms. Nazer's continue to crop up these days-- just watch the news.