The Time Pirate

Title: The Time Pirate
Author: Ted Bell
Ages: 11 and up

The Time Pirate is the sequel to Nick of Time.  I enjoyed both of these books immensely.  The Time Pirate is not as good as Nick of Time, but only slightly.  I like the WWII setting of Nick of Time better than the Revolutionary War setting of The Time Pirate.  It's only my opinion, because my friend who read both these books liked The Time Pirate better.  It was interesting to see the characters of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette bought to life.  This book sort of stretches the imagination with some highly unusual and impossible situations.  It's still a fun action book with some interesting scenes.  I liked the way Nick was written about in Nick of Time better.  It's been a long time since I read The Time Pirate, so I can't tell you why that is.  I think it's because Nick seemed to value human life more in Nick of Time.  Maybe it's just my memory, but I definitely liked Nick better in the first book.  I do hope that both these books are made into movies, just for the fun of it.

Content Advisory: Some violence and some people get killed.  Some cursing such as d**n.  

Chains

Title: Chains
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Ages: 12 and up

My only regret reading this book was that it hasn't been made into a movie yet.  The characters, especially Isabel and Curzon, were so real that they practically walked off the pages.  I rarely get angry at characters in books, but Madame Lockton is absolutely despicable.  The books starts off sort of slow, but by the fifth or sixth chapter, you are very attached to Isabel and Ruth.  The situation of the Patriot soldiers in New York City was amazing, and I realized how hard Washington fought against the odds to free America from England's "chains".  Isabel, like a real person, struggles and makes some bad choices and decisions.  She makes the right choice at the end, and ultimately becomes a better person because of it.  One of the interesting aspects of the book was the fact that both the British and the Patriots supported slavery, and even though Curzon knew this he still joined the side that he thought was right.  I liked Laurie Halse Anderson's way of comparing two things that you think have nothing in common and making them alike.  Cast Two Shadows was a similar book, but I still thought Chains was a much better book and more interesting.  I can't wait to read the sequel Forge.

Content Advisory: Isabel has thoughts of violence towards her masters, however she never acts on them.  There's one use of the word "wench".    

Cast Two Shadows

Title: Cast Two Shadows 
Author: Ann Rinaldi

Ages: 14 and up

As I said in my review of Ann Rinaldi's book The Fifth of March, she is a phenomenal historical fiction writer for teens.  Sometimes her subject material is for older teens, but the book is always worth reading.  Cast Two Shadows is no exception.  Caroline, (in my opinion) is a more likable character than Rachel from The Fifth of March.  My only criticism of the characters, were the relationship between Caroline and sister Georgia Ann.  Their hatred for each other was a little over the top.  I can relate to getting really annoyed with my sisters, but I don't think I've ever met someone who hated their sibling.  The plot about Caroline's mother and grandmother helped develop the story and definitely added to it.  Even though you don't get to know Kit very well, that back story helped develop the brutality of the British soldiers.  Having the story set in the South during the Revolutionary War was interesting and insightful. 

Content Advisory: One of the characters was born out of wedlock.

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Title: The Scarlet Pimpernel
Author: Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Ages: 13 and up

I read this book because it was on my school book list.  I was pleasantly surprised with this book.  It has lots of action, and although I knew who the "Scarlet Pimpernel" was before it was revealed, there are some shockers throughout.  The character growth of Lady Blakeney was very well thought out and extremely believable.  I was disappointed when I realized that she was the main character, however, by the end of the book she becomes one of the best characters.  I related to her dilemma in whether to betray the scarlet pimpernel or have her brother's life in danger.  Although the identity of the scarlet pimpernel wasn't a shocker, he's still a great character and the action scene at the end is very well thought out.  This is one of my favorite books and I highly recommend it.

Content Advisory: Nothing.

The Fifth of March

Title: The Fifth of March
Author: Ann Rinaldi
Ages: 14 and up

I really liked Ann Rinaldi's style of writing.  Her topic material is always riveting and there's usually a theme or moral that she has her character discover.  In these ways, she's a very good historical fiction writer.  The historical time period comes alive when you read anything she writes, especially the actual 5th of March.  However, I was kind of baffled that Rachel would think about allowing Matthew to treat her like he tries to.  (In this case the material is for teens.)  In the end, she does the right thing, which is a good moral lesson.  Rachel's character seemed a little bit superficial, but sometimes very relatable.  Knowing that the British were technically the "bad guys", and knowing that Matthew is British definitely prejudiced me against his character.  It was very interesting to find that many people in Boston were very conflicted about who's side to be on, including Rachel.  This aspect of the book was fascinating and helped me to realize that not all the Brits were awful people.  In the end, I'm glad I read the book.  I liked "Cast Two Shadows" by Ann Rinaldi a little bit better.  Both are worth checking out.

Content Advisory:  Older material about courting between guys and girls.  Matthew pressures Rachel to court him and wants to kiss her at one point.  Nothing seriously wrong.