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Underground
On the run from a killer, Annie and her mother flee to a remote farmhouse in New England. When Annie finds an unsent letter from a debutante in the Civil War, she is drawn to the story of a Southern girl immersed in a love that cannot see light in the American South. Determined to find out what happened to her, Annie risks bringing the killer to her farmhouse door. Underground chronicles two remarkable journeys - one across modern-day America and another through a country on the brink of its greatest historical change.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 1, 2013
I'm clearly missing something here, going by most of the other reviews.
wheras the story of tracing the history pof someone was engaging enough, I felt there was a lot thrown in there that was too badly written, and hadnt been thought through,ridiculous plot lines, and such like.
waste of my time to be honest.
wheras the story of tracing the history pof someone was engaging enough, I felt there was a lot thrown in there that was too badly written, and hadnt been thought through,ridiculous plot lines, and such like.
waste of my time to be honest.
November 15, 2020
Enjoyable, a couple of soppy bits, but they didn't spoil my enjoyment.
December 20, 2021
Almost everything about this book is unconvincing, the rest is just embarrassing white saviour tropes that made me cringe.
November 4, 2016
It was good. I liked the parallel stories. Some poor dialogue but otherwise ok.
June 15, 2013
I was provided a PDF version of this book, so trying to read it on my kindle was like pulling teeth. The text was tiny with loads of white space around it and yet I still managed to whisk through this tale in only a couple of days!
To begin with, I felt that the two stories were a little disjointed, they didn't seem to fit (oh I've never been good with patience!) so it was a little odd changing from the present to the past within the two stories. I would feel like I was just getting 'into' the story with Annie and we'd be thrust back in time to see how things were with Samantha.
That changed at about 25% of the way though. I was thoroughly engrossed in both of the tales of Annie and Samantha and would often feel a little miffed when we changed between the two, because I wanted to know what happened with the one I was currently reading.
Breaking this down into the present and past was quite well done, you do draw similarities and yet you also see the gaping void between present day and the mid-late 1800s. Gayle managed to make me simultaneously hate two mothers, feel for two young women and dare I say it, swoon for two very different young men.
The true magic of this story was firmly in the tale at the end of the slaving era in the 1800s. Gayle managed to thrust the reader back in time and come out on the cotton plantation of Samantha and her family. The twists in this side of the story were many and varied, the deception and romance and fear as well as joy and sadness were all mashed into what felt like a very real situation. The gritty reality of that era came to life with all its blood, sweat and tears.
When we took a refreshing, yet slightly creepy and scary look at Annie's life in the present, you got a completely different feel. The girls were similar, yet so different, their worlds 150 years apart, yet amazingly connected. I liked the thriller/crime aspect, I could believe this happening in real life, so I travelled along with Annie as she raced her way across America. I would have liked to see more of this side of the tale, and a little less (although I enjoyed every word of it) of the romance in Annie's tale.
The characters were well rounded and believable, the plot strong and unpredictable, the melding of genres and eras was truly amazing.
This is one for everyone to read! Give it a try today.
The area that let this book down is it's lack of blurb, and the rather dreary cover. It screams indie author and isn't doing this book any justice. The story is a solid 4.5 stars that is unfortunately let down by poor advertising and promotion.
**Note: I was provided an electronic version of this book in return for an honest review**
To begin with, I felt that the two stories were a little disjointed, they didn't seem to fit (oh I've never been good with patience!) so it was a little odd changing from the present to the past within the two stories. I would feel like I was just getting 'into' the story with Annie and we'd be thrust back in time to see how things were with Samantha.
That changed at about 25% of the way though. I was thoroughly engrossed in both of the tales of Annie and Samantha and would often feel a little miffed when we changed between the two, because I wanted to know what happened with the one I was currently reading.
Breaking this down into the present and past was quite well done, you do draw similarities and yet you also see the gaping void between present day and the mid-late 1800s. Gayle managed to make me simultaneously hate two mothers, feel for two young women and dare I say it, swoon for two very different young men.
The true magic of this story was firmly in the tale at the end of the slaving era in the 1800s. Gayle managed to thrust the reader back in time and come out on the cotton plantation of Samantha and her family. The twists in this side of the story were many and varied, the deception and romance and fear as well as joy and sadness were all mashed into what felt like a very real situation. The gritty reality of that era came to life with all its blood, sweat and tears.
When we took a refreshing, yet slightly creepy and scary look at Annie's life in the present, you got a completely different feel. The girls were similar, yet so different, their worlds 150 years apart, yet amazingly connected. I liked the thriller/crime aspect, I could believe this happening in real life, so I travelled along with Annie as she raced her way across America. I would have liked to see more of this side of the tale, and a little less (although I enjoyed every word of it) of the romance in Annie's tale.
The characters were well rounded and believable, the plot strong and unpredictable, the melding of genres and eras was truly amazing.
This is one for everyone to read! Give it a try today.
The area that let this book down is it's lack of blurb, and the rather dreary cover. It screams indie author and isn't doing this book any justice. The story is a solid 4.5 stars that is unfortunately let down by poor advertising and promotion.
**Note: I was provided an electronic version of this book in return for an honest review**
November 3, 2012
There is one word to describe this book... excellent. For her first novel, O'Brien has knocked it out of the park and back. Story is rock solid, with superb plot and defined characters that draw you in.
I loved that this is a story that covers two story lines and two eras, and yet O'Brien brings them together quite seamlessly. There is nothing choppy about the transitions and the story flows well. I without a doubt endorse this book as a MUST READ!
History meets present day in Underground, when our lead character discovers the home she has just moved into was a stop on the infamous Underground Railroad. Civil War era heroism meets the strength a young girl has to survive the sudden turmoil her life is thrust in when her father is being chased by evil incarnate, in human form. In both times and places, love arrives unexpectedly. This is a superb selection for a book club, I would recommend for the YA crowd, but would not limit it to that genre alone.
I loved that this is a story that covers two story lines and two eras, and yet O'Brien brings them together quite seamlessly. There is nothing choppy about the transitions and the story flows well. I without a doubt endorse this book as a MUST READ!
History meets present day in Underground, when our lead character discovers the home she has just moved into was a stop on the infamous Underground Railroad. Civil War era heroism meets the strength a young girl has to survive the sudden turmoil her life is thrust in when her father is being chased by evil incarnate, in human form. In both times and places, love arrives unexpectedly. This is a superb selection for a book club, I would recommend for the YA crowd, but would not limit it to that genre alone.
October 5, 2012
This book was a massive dissapointment. I had expected, from reading the reviews, that this was going to be an incredible historical tale of life during the final days of slavery in the deep south. I thought this was a serious book with real literary merit given the reviews I had seen. In actual fact this book is written as poorly as a mediocre piece of young adult fiction. The story is utterly ridiculous, and the historical heroine reads like a mills and boon character rather than a real person.
Dissapointing, cliched, and unengaging I was glad when this was over and read the last 50% out of sheer stubborness rather than a desire to see how it turned out. It has left me with an real craving to go and read a proper book, so I expect the next few items on my reading list will be from my list of 'books I want to read one day' but tend to pass over in favour of the latest urban fantasy. So at least one good thing will have come from my reading this terrible book.
Dissapointing, cliched, and unengaging I was glad when this was over and read the last 50% out of sheer stubborness rather than a desire to see how it turned out. It has left me with an real craving to go and read a proper book, so I expect the next few items on my reading list will be from my list of 'books I want to read one day' but tend to pass over in favour of the latest urban fantasy. So at least one good thing will have come from my reading this terrible book.
October 11, 2013
A juxtaposition of two equally exciting story-lines with the linking themes of the angst of teenage girls and doing what is right. The book has a strong sense of place and time with each separate storyline cleverly rooted with references to historical events or modern fashions (e.g. Facebook).
Gayle very kindly came along to our bookgroup to discuss 'Underground'. It was interesting to hear her inspirations for the story and the writing process. She also gave us an insight into the difficulties of getting a book published and plans for future work.
I will certainly re-read this with the Safari browser open so I can read more about the historical occurrences. I strongly recommend that others read this book and look forward to hearing what you think.
Gayle very kindly came along to our bookgroup to discuss 'Underground'. It was interesting to hear her inspirations for the story and the writing process. She also gave us an insight into the difficulties of getting a book published and plans for future work.
I will certainly re-read this with the Safari browser open so I can read more about the historical occurrences. I strongly recommend that others read this book and look forward to hearing what you think.
February 9, 2014
Bit fanciful. Bit predictable. All tied up a bit too nicely. Eye-rolling was frequent but gentle. More of a 2.5 but I was in the mood for a fluffy read, and that's what I got, so I'll be nice and round up.
Book blurb makes it look like Gone with the Wind vs Stieg Larsson but it's more of a Mills & Boon ~historical~ title and a YA 'thriller' rolled into one. Complete with hard manhoods and Facebook status updates. Quickly! To the library! Let us Google and critique SERPs instead of consulting an actual librarian!
Book blurb makes it look like Gone with the Wind vs Stieg Larsson but it's more of a Mills & Boon ~historical~ title and a YA 'thriller' rolled into one. Complete with hard manhoods and Facebook status updates. Quickly! To the library! Let us Google and critique SERPs instead of consulting an actual librarian!
October 18, 2015
I was stuck between 4 and 5 stars but went with 5 as for all but the last 30 pages it was brilliant and then... it just ended within a few paragraphs. It was a very rushed ending that attempted to tie all loose ends as if the author was late for a train but felt she had to wrap it up quickly. Aside that a pleasure to read.
December 31, 2012
I think this we a freebie, or at least a cheapie, from Amazon. It was actually quite good. The running of the 2 stories was well done, and the predictable ending that I though it was heading for was avoided...
May 21, 2012
A great book - cleverly interweaving the two stories; one in the present day, one set in the nineteenth century. A real page turner, with engaging characters and fascinating historical detail
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August 11, 2012Enjoyable read.
August 13, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the way the author interspersed the two stories into different time periods.
September 17, 2012
Fantastic, addictive! Felt deflated once I had finished it!
February 14, 2013
An unusual story, well told, and quite captivating. I did care about what would happen next and I was certainly surprised.
September 15, 2013
Love it. Great read on civil war history
November 1, 2016
Oh my. This book. I am patiently awaiting a sequel. This book kept me interested in the characters and allows you to care about the well-being of each of them.
March 30, 2017
A very interesting take on a part of American History I was unaware of until today. I enjoyed reading through the parallel stories f the two female protagonists! Some very good characterisation of male father-figures.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews