In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters
4/5 stars
Amulet Books, 2013
404 pages
YA Historical Thriller
Scheduled to release April 2
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I hope this isn't too morbid but I find the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918 absolutely fascinating. Like it's not bad enough to have all the death from war, this catastrophic disease had to spread too. Yet I didn't really know that much about it. Well this book takes us deep into that time, latching on to the paranoia and terror felt by people in addition to their deep grief as almost every family is deeply affected either by the loss of a serviceman and/or someone to influenza. These deaths also fuel a craze for spiritualism such as taking photographs in the hopes of seeing your lost loved one as demonstrated in the cover photo.
Our protagonist is Mary Shelley Black, named for the excellent author and daughter to a now deceased physician mother and a father arrested on suspicion of treason. I wish we could have learned more about him but it seems that he has some German heritage and is very anti-war, reason enough to get the authorities involved.
Therefore Mary Shelley journeys from their home in Portland to live with her widowed aunt in San Diego. Their relationship is strained as Mary Shelley was caught kissing her friend Stephen whose cruel brother Julius spread the story that it went much further. This aunt is also deeply paranoid about the flu, draping their house in onions (apparently a real attempt). Julius has a spirit photography business that is booming in this time of tremendous loss and uncertainty but Mary Shelley pines for her sweet friend.
The bulk of the narrative is about Mary Shelley somehow being able to commune with Stephen, a sensitive young man who enlisted early and shares with her a story of torments from blackbirds. Mary Shelley spends most of her time attempting to puzzle out if the blackbirds are literal or figurative. She figures it out partially but doesn't put it all together until it is almost too late in a terrifying sequence. The writing around Stephen's torture and the suspense of what exactly happened led me to classify this book as a thriller and I think it may be too intense for some younger readers so read with caution.
Overall: A fast-moving thrilling story with a smart strong heroine and focusing on a lesser known time period: in short, it's good.
Ohhhh, this sounds good - actually, it sounds very good :D I think I will going to love this book! Suspense, pandemic, smart and strong heroin. This book has everything look for in a historical thriller. Thanks for sharing and I'm happy you loved it :D
ReplyDeleteIt really caught me by surprise how much I liked this book. I especially appreciate its strong thriller-ness and historical setting.
DeleteIt sounds interesting and you are right, it'd be a good read on a period I know very little of.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've read any other novels about this particular time period and now I'm definitely craving more!
DeleteI'm fascinated by the spanish flu too! And the book takes place in San Diego?!? I'm sold! That's my hometown!
ReplyDeleteYou're in the SD area? Me too! That was a huge draw for me-Coronado is a very important setting.
DeleteThis sounds really interesting-- I'm fascinated by weird little bits of history like that too! The blackbirds (whether literal or figurative) definitely intrigue me, and I kind of love the name Mary Shelley, LOL! Lovely review, darlin'! (:
ReplyDeleteLoves,
Megan@The Book Babe
I think Mary Shelley is a great name and very fitting for this character. I just love historical fiction and it was so great to get a different slice of history with this book.
DeleteI'm reading this right now and really enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteI only remember that the pandemic happened during the war because of Downton Abbey. That's sad. I did so well on my AP American History test-- where are all those facts hiding in my brain??
I don't even remember learning about this pandemic in school. I think I first learned about it through Mercedes Lackey's (excellent) Phoenix and Ashes Cinderella retelling where the wicked stepmother character plans to unleash a flu on people and then looking it up on my own to see if that was something real. Then later DA brought it up again. Looking forward to your review :)
DeleteThis does sound good. I have been trying to read more historical fiction, so this being that and a thriller, sounds like something I would like. Wonderful review.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
I hope you do give it a try-I love historical fiction that is a little bit different, looking at a less publicized time and one focusing on some true horrors and this certainly fits the bill.
DeleteI really liked this one too and I wasn't very familiar with the time period and everything that was going on so it was fascinating to me. I loved the paranormal aspect of it all but I agree that it's a bit on the intense/scary side. And when she found out, WOW, I don't think I quite suspected that.
ReplyDeleteI could not believe what I was reading when she found out-who could do that? So dark and a very scary look at the dark side of human nature.
DeleteInteresting. Perhaps a bit morbid? I can't tell.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely on the dark side but I wouldn't say it was gratuitous. If you're sensitive to horror, this might not be the book for you but though I can be a touch sensitive, I found myself absolutely gripped.
DeleteGreat review, sweetie :D I'm so glad you loved this book too. <3 Sigh. It was just so amazing. I kind of loved that it is sort of a thriller (A) I loved the dark scenes so much. But omg. This book was really heartbreaking. But so amazing :)
ReplyDeleteYes-your comment is summing up my feelings so well! I just felt everything and was blown away.
DeleteI keep hearing REALLY good things about this one, so I am really excited to check it out. I wasn't sure at first if it was "my type" of book, but after reading a few reviews I think I'll definitely enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI was so impressed with this book-I didn't think it was my kind of book either but then I just ate it up!
DeleteI didn't know what to expect from this one (I just loved the title), but it blew me away in a good way. So creepy, and sad.
ReplyDeleteSuch a creepy book, right? I'm so glad we both gave it a try and loved it!
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