Review: Secrets in the Snow, by Michaela MacColl
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
It is a truth universally acknowledged... that if a YA book about Jane Austen crops up, I will fight to the pain for a copy of it. Combine the allure of an Austen-focused novel with the deft style of Michaela MacColl, one of my favorite living authors, and you have a fight-worthy volume on your hands.
Here's what the publisher has to say about Secrets in the Snow:
"Jane Austen's family is eager to secure her future by marrying her off. But Jane is much more interested in writing her novels, and finds every suitor lacking—until the mysterious Mr. Lefroy arrives. Could he be the one? Before Jane can find out, she must solve a murder, clear her family's name, and face a decision that might cost her true love."
Secrets in the Snow is the fourth in MacColl's series of mysteries solved by famous young authors, following Nobody's Secret (featuring Emily Dickinson), Always Emily (starring Emily Bronte), and The Revelation of Louisa May (Alcott, of course). I'm fairly green with envy over this whole idea, but ultimately I'm glad Michaela MacColl had it first. Because she executes it so well.
One of my favorite things about MacColl's writing is the way she takes a little slice of history and manages to convey its global significance. Jane Austen's novels may have only touched upon military action in other countries, but Secrets in the Snow makes it clear that Jane's own life couldn't escape the tension of a world very much at war. Without ever over-focusing on that element, the author grounds the reader in a jittery England, all too aware of the revolution taking place across the Channel. MacColl's ability to incorporate historical details without ever interrupting the flow of the story to do so is exemplary. (Really, if you write historical fiction, I am literally pointing to her writing as an example. Read it.)
I greatly enjoyed reading the story of Jane's efforts to prove the innocence of her suspected French spy of a cousin. When murder struck halfway through the book, I found myself flipping pages as quickly as I could, only to happily find myself still surprised by the solution to the mystery. Ultimately, the ending left me feeling a little uneasy; Jane makes a moral decision which I couldn't help questioning. It's a decision that could spark some great discussion, so I won't hesitate to recommend this to my own daughters some day, but I'll be looking forward to the conversations about ethics we'll have when they finish.
Secrets in the Snow will be released on October 4--in the meantime, there's a giveaway on Goodreads!
Here's what the publisher has to say about Secrets in the Snow:
"Jane Austen's family is eager to secure her future by marrying her off. But Jane is much more interested in writing her novels, and finds every suitor lacking—until the mysterious Mr. Lefroy arrives. Could he be the one? Before Jane can find out, she must solve a murder, clear her family's name, and face a decision that might cost her true love."
Secrets in the Snow is the fourth in MacColl's series of mysteries solved by famous young authors, following Nobody's Secret (featuring Emily Dickinson), Always Emily (starring Emily Bronte), and The Revelation of Louisa May (Alcott, of course). I'm fairly green with envy over this whole idea, but ultimately I'm glad Michaela MacColl had it first. Because she executes it so well.
One of my favorite things about MacColl's writing is the way she takes a little slice of history and manages to convey its global significance. Jane Austen's novels may have only touched upon military action in other countries, but Secrets in the Snow makes it clear that Jane's own life couldn't escape the tension of a world very much at war. Without ever over-focusing on that element, the author grounds the reader in a jittery England, all too aware of the revolution taking place across the Channel. MacColl's ability to incorporate historical details without ever interrupting the flow of the story to do so is exemplary. (Really, if you write historical fiction, I am literally pointing to her writing as an example. Read it.)
I greatly enjoyed reading the story of Jane's efforts to prove the innocence of her suspected French spy of a cousin. When murder struck halfway through the book, I found myself flipping pages as quickly as I could, only to happily find myself still surprised by the solution to the mystery. Ultimately, the ending left me feeling a little uneasy; Jane makes a moral decision which I couldn't help questioning. It's a decision that could spark some great discussion, so I won't hesitate to recommend this to my own daughters some day, but I'll be looking forward to the conversations about ethics we'll have when they finish.
Secrets in the Snow will be released on October 4--in the meantime, there's a giveaway on Goodreads!
"Without ever over-focusing on that element, the author grounds the reader in a jittery England, all too aware of the revolution taking place across the Channel. MacColl's ability to incorporate historical details without ever interrupting the flow of the story to do so is exemplary. (Really, if you write historical fiction, I am literally pointing to her writing as an example. Read it.)"
ReplyDeleteYes M'am! This is exactly whY I need to read this. And what a great series too! Thank you for introducing me to yet another wonderful author. V
You already know Michaela's work, Vijaya! "Rory's Secret," which you introduced me to, was co-written by her!
DeleteThanks for featuring this! I loved Prisoners in the Palace and Always Emily. I didn't know that she was making a series out of this or that she has a new one coming out--and it's about Jane Austen too! Now I'm off to catch up with Emily Dickinson and Alcott before Secrets in the Snow is available.
ReplyDeleteI think the Alcott one was my favorite. Wait, no, the Dickinson one. Wait... :) For real, Prisoners in the Palace.
DeleteMM writes ALL the cool books! For real, every time she picks a topic or character, I'm in awe.
ReplyDeleteI KNOW! I'm always torn between "Why didn't I think of writing that?" and "Hooray, there's another great Michaela MacColl story to read!!" I lean toward the latter. :)
DeleteAuthor mysteries! How ingenious. I'm almost ashamed to admit I've never read a book by Michaela MacColl. Now at least I know which titles to start with!
ReplyDelete