Privateer's Apprentice by Susan Verrico

8.5/10

I don't want to be to generous with my ratings this early in the game!  Ha ha!  But, I really did enjoy this book.  I always say I am not in to historical fiction...Then I like it!  I have actually not read a pirate historical fiction before.  The characters are engaging and Ms. Verrico has away of making you feel what she wants you to feel about them, almost passionately. (even when it is just a goat!)  I am beginning to see a trend in the Mark Twain's I have read thus far...Students learning about how to survive this world by being mentored by the ones the respect.

What makes this book historical fiction?  How is it different from from other pirate books you have read?  Could you write a historical fiction piece?  What time would it be from?  What would you need to research to create that believable and historically accurate feel?

Interview with Susan Verrico

Ordinary Magic by Caitlen Rubino-Bradway

7/10

This Mark Twain has a great plot twist.  I am not a fan of the voice and pace of the writing, but the idea of "ordinary" young lady is sooooo intriguing.  It is like a reverse discrimination!  You will have to read it to figure out what I am talking about.

Again I ask you is this science fiction or fantasy and why do you think that way?  Do you have any topics that you are writing about that you could change the point of view and take it from a different characters perspective?  What unexpected twists can you put in your stories?  How does this author use details to describe the world that 

Online Book Review and Q&A with Caitlen

The Shadow Collector's Apprentice by Amy Gordon

8/10

Very cool plot.  The author had a knack for keeping the suspense going throughout the entire book.  She had a lot of very interesting details to keep the reader engaged.  I love new plot twists.

There were not too many characters in this book so it is easy to keep them straight while you read.  

Is this science fiction or fantasy?  Why did you make that choice?  How does the author keep this story believable even though it has unrealistic elements??  What part of this story do you find the most predictable and what part is most surprising?

What elements of this author's craft could you use in your own writing?

Visit Amy Gordon's Webpage