Scholastic Press, 2010
329 pages
YA; Historical
3.5/5 stars
Source: Bought
Summary: Camille is engaged to a fine upstanding man but all she wants is to be at sea with her father. On what will be their last journey, secrets and a storm destroy everything Camille knows. All that remains is Oscar, steady, dependable Oscar who is definitely not her fiance but who may just be the answer.
Some spoilers!
Thoughts: A much delayed review from the readathon which means it will be short as I can't remember much. I didn't think the historical setting (1855 San Francisco) was utilized enough except to highlight Camille's status as a bargaining chip to maintain her family's prosperity and to impose a certain set of expectations on her.
I appreciated that there was a strong father/daughter relationship because a lot of YA parents suck. Although it turns out that her father has done some bad stuff too.
Then there is a "curse" unleashed by saying a name; this is the paranormal aspect that completely blindsided me. It seemed unnecessary-why couldn't it have been just a normal treasure? I definitely wanted less of that.
Oddly I preferred her fiance Randall to Oscar. Oscar didn't seem to be that great of a guy although he was the one she had sparks with. Randall seemed a nice enough guy, unless I'm forgetting that he had some deep dark secret.
Overall: Lovely historical fiction, marred by paranormal aspects.
Cover: I love the cover-probably one of my favorites from this year! The colors, the font, the picture, I love it all!
I am wary of historical fiction with paranormal/supernatural aspects, unless we're talking classical vampire novels or very good contemporary novels set in history and featuring the paranormal as a major, not a side aspect. This seems like a lovely read, though, something I would borrow from the library. And oh, what a gorgeous cover! To me also one of the most beautiful ones I've seen. Great review and thanks for sharing!
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