Book Review: Blackwood

Title: Blackwood
Author: Gwenda Bond
Publisher: Strange Chemistry (Angry Robot Books)
ISBN: 9781908844071


Book source: review copy from publisher


Release date: Sept 4, 2012


From the publisher:

On Roanoke Island, the legend of the 114 people who mysteriously vanished from the Lost Colony hundreds of years ago is just an outdoor drama for the tourists, a story people tell. But when the island faces the sudden disappearance of 114 people now, an unlikely pair of 17-year-olds may be the only hope of bringing them back.

Miranda, a misfit girl from the island's most infamous family, and Phillips, an exiled teen criminal who hears the voices of the dead, must dodge everyone from federal agents to long-dead alchemists as they work to uncover the secrets of the new Lost Colony. The one thing they can't dodge is each other.

I once wrote a story about the Lost Colony.  In mine, Christopher Columbus showed up and took all the people as slaves.  I was in seventh grade.  I wasn't nearly as concerned about logic, fact checking, and the orderly progression of space-time as I am now.

This story is much better than mine was.  (Shocking, I know!)  Bond ties the historical mystery to contemporary events in an interesting, unusual way, and does a great job of building tension throughout the story.  She also creates cheer-worthy characters.  Despite all of her misfortunes, Miranda manages to stay strong and kick a little butt on her own behalf, while Phillips is a perfect blend of sweetheart and badass.  I also have a crush on Sidekick, Miranda's big floppy dog (all books are better with one of those).

I felt a little bit rushed during the climax, but overall, this is a fun read that brings something fresh to the genre.  Good for fantasy and history fans alike.

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For more information on Gwenda Bond, visit her website.