Friday, July 15, 2011

Shadow of a Quarter Moon by Eileen Clymer Schwab



book cover

Shadow of a Quarter Moon
by Eileen Clymer Schwab


ISBN-13: 9780451233288
Trade Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: NAL
Released: July 5, 2011


Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
1839, North Carolina. As the daughter of a plantation owner, Jacy has been raised in privilege. Then she discovers that she's the offspring of her father with one of his slaves. The revelation destroys Jacy's sense of who she is and where she belongs in the world. Equally shocking, her biological mother and brother are still slaves on the property. As she gets to know them--and Rafe, the handsome slave and horse trainer--she begins to see life in the South with fresh eyes. And soon Jacy will have to make a treacherous journey North that she hopes will end in freedom for them all...


My Review:
Shadow of a Quarter Moon is a historical set in 1839 in North Carolina. It also contained some romance. Vivid historical and setting details were woven into the story, and they brought the story alive in my imagination.

The characters were varied, complex, and realistic. They struggled with realistic problems for the time period. Emotionally, though, I had a hard time with how helpless and powerless Jacy was throughout much of the book. Things just kept getting worse and worse. It wasn't very pleasant to read. But if you aren't bothered by the first few pages, then you'll probably be alright with the rest of what happens.

Suspense was created by physical danger to Jacy and to her slave family. It was also created by relationship tensions that raised curiosity about just how this was all going to work out.

There was a minor amount of explicit bad language. Jacy was repeatedly molested (through her clothing) by her betrothed. This was described in just enough detail that you knew what was going on without it getting very graphic. Overall, though the story was well-written and had interesting historical details, I really didn't enjoy reading it.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt:
Read an excerpt from chapter one using Google Preview.

[Please note that a molestation scene occurs in the first few pages. It's not highly graphic--just enough information is given so you know that's what is happening. But if I'd read those pages, I probably wouldn't have requested the book.]

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