This tale of a young woman who stows away on a ship in hopes of gaining an inheritance overseas reminded me in some particulars of L.A. Meyer's 'Jacky Faber' novels. However, where Meyer's over-the-top tales cruise on their own high-spirited energy, the more down-to-earth tone of "Star-Crossed" serves to point out some of the events' unlikeliness. Still, can there really be too many tales of girls leaving their stuffy schools, running off to sea, and finding adventure, independence and love amidst the waves? Probably not.
Reviewed by Emylee for TeensReadToo.com
Patricia Kelley, a former pupil at Wiltshire Boarding School for Gentlemen's Daughters, has recently been orphaned at the impressionable age of sixteen. Left with nothing but her wits and the promise of her deceased father's estate in the Barbados, she sneakily stows away on the Canopus, a seemingly distinguished merchant ship. She does not stay hidden for long, and soon must earn her passage on the Canopus by training to become the surgeon's mate. It is during her stay on the ship that she meets the free-spirited Brian Dalton, bosun's mate and unattainable love interest.
Unexpected complications arise when Patricia tries to reclaim her birthright, and she marries out of desperation in order to survive. She wonders if she can survive a loveless marriage as well as her continuing life as a surgeon's mate. As if she does not already have enough things to worry about, thoughts of Brian Dalton keep reappearing in her mind after she and her husband leave the Canopus to fulfill their duties aboard a warship. Can Patricia handle the enormous changes headed her way?
Filled with vivid descriptions of sea-life and the historical restrictions that were placed on women during the time period, STAR-CROSSED is an exceptional novel that will entrance readers of any age. When I first picked up the book, I was skeptical of whether or not I would enjoy it. However, by the fifth page I was completely hooked. The action in the novel greatly adds to the piece, and the romantic theme does not dominate the plot. I recommend this book to readers of any age or gender.
Patricia Kelley, a former pupil at Wiltshire Boarding School for Gentlemen's Daughters, has recently been orphaned at the impressionable age of sixteen. Left with nothing but her wits and the promise of her deceased father's estate in the Barbados, she sneakily stows away on the Canopus, a seemingly distinguished merchant ship. She does not stay hidden for long, and soon must earn her passage on the Canopus by training to become the surgeon's mate. It is during her stay on the ship that she meets the free-spirited Brian Dalton, bosun's mate and unattainable love interest.
Unexpected complications arise when Patricia tries to reclaim her birthright, and she marries out of desperation in order to survive. She wonders if she can survive a loveless marriage as well as her continuing life as a surgeon's mate. As if she does not already have enough things to worry about, thoughts of Brian Dalton keep reappearing in her mind after she and her husband leave the Canopus to fulfill their duties aboard a warship. Can Patricia handle the enormous changes headed her way?
Filled with vivid descriptions of sea-life and the historical restrictions that were placed on women during the time period, STAR-CROSSED is an exceptional novel that will entrance readers of any age. When I first picked up the book, I was skeptical of whether or not I would enjoy it. However, by the fifth page I was completely hooked. The action in the novel greatly adds to the piece, and the romantic theme does not dominate the plot. I recommend this book to readers of any age or gender.
