An Acquaintance with Darkness by Ann Rinaldi

Fourteen-year-old Emily Pigbush suspects that her uncle is involved in body snatching. Meanwhile, her best friend''s family is accused of plotting to kill Abraham Lincoln, and Emily is left unsure of whom she can trust.

I had a hard time getting into this book, putting it down a couple times, finally getting to that half way point and I just finished it off. This book involves 2 stories, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and body snatching (not just from the graveyard). I really enjoyed other books by Ann Rinadli (A Break with Charity and The Coffin Quilt). Being MG/YA books I really don't expect to much detail. I found myself going to wiki to check things outs myself and seeing how close to fact her books are. This book though is more YA then MG, depending on who is reading some information about body snatching might be a little much for them

I found that Emily grew up in this book, really she didn't have much of a choice, her mother has just died, her best friends family is accused of being involved in the killing of Lincoln and she is living with her uncle, a doctor with secrets of his own.

The best past of the book was the authors comments at the end, going into more true facts about that time period. I enjoy learning while reading.

This book was added to Where Are You Reading

Review: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.
 

Hardcover, 496 pages

Published October 13th 2010 by Bloomsbury 

personal library

***** 

I love quotes, I keep saying that I should write down lines that make me go wow, and for this book I have. The talent of authors that come up with sentences that make me wish I come up with them are amazing.

"I'm thinking about that girl, Alexandrine. And it feels like the pages are calling to me. It's not a good sound. It's like footsteps behind you in the dark or a door slowly opening in the house when you thought you were alone. I should leave it where it is; I know that. But I almost never do what I should."

"I'm greasy and smelly. But I've learned that stink soon reaches critical mass. You reach a certain degree of smelly, then level off."

I have to say I was a little nervous about starting this book. All the reviews were positive, glowing in fact. How it's the best book out there. It makes me nervous because I get my hopes up, just like when someone tells you that's the best movie they've even seen and you watch it and think 'it was ok'. The expectation level is so great.

This book did not disappoint, in fact right now it is my favorite book. I loved it! I was hooked right have the beginning, I fell in love with the characters. Andi's grief was real and you couldn't help feel for her. Alex was the same. I could visualize so much from this book, New York, Paris, G's apartment (I would love the spend some time there), the catacombs, even Vijay's bedroom and his mother yelling at him.

This is the first I have heard of Jennifer Donnelly and I am glad, I will definitely be on the lookout for more of her works.