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The Crescent's Edge
The Crescent's Edge is set in the small seaside community of Crescent City California. The plot is set in 1865, shortly after the Civil War and at the sinking of the steamer Brother Jonathan. The rowdy gold strike country becomes a challenge for Becca Cates who finds herself thrust into another time. The characters, like all of us, have faults and gifts, prejudices and compassion. Excitement, romance, conflict and humor bring them together in this very different story with a historical perspective.
655 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 29, 2016
I was a little uncertain about reading a book set in the town I've called home since 1989. The last novel I read set here in Crescent City, CA was infuriatingly wrong on a lot of little details, the kinds of things that you would only notice if you lived here. It was enough to make me really hate a perfectly good story that time, as I kept interrupting my reading to grumble, "you could find that on Google in under a minute!"
When I realized the author lived in the area, and was willing to do the research, I became interested, and upon reading the description and finding out that a large portion of the story was based upon the fascinating wreck of the Brother Jonathan, which I have long been curious about, I knew I would have to give it a try.
The Crescent's Edge is a long read for someone like me, who usually writes and teaches books in the middle and high school grade levels. But every word of this novel was enjoyable and after 640 pages I found myself hoping for a sequel.
The book spans two timelines and involves a bit of confusion as all the author reference to two of the main characters use their names, but the friends and contemporaries address them by each other's names. It isn't as confusing as it sounds however, and works. Think of the old Disney, "Freaky Friday" stories and you will understand the body switch which happens here. It is a strange concept but believably explained in the world of the story and a lovely way to visit both the old era Crescent City, and the current era.
The real strength of this book is in the setting and characters being handled in a way that makes them feel real. You see the disturbing history and the contrasting fact that the same people who show such empathy to the shipwreck survivors and to the families of the dead, are the same people who live and accept such very unempathetic things as legally being able to hunt "Indians" and dumping some bodies in a mass grave on unhallowed ground if they couldn't be proven to be Christian. You see the segregation of the Chinese to a limited section of town and the cruelty of dog fighting. There are a lot of real life issues covered inside this charming, time tangled fantasy, but it never comes off as preachy or judgmental. The book is also filled with fascinating quotes and has an interesting bibliography if you are interested in exploring the history more yourself.
If you want a good read with a bit of education as a side order then this fits the bill. I really recommend it highly.
When I realized the author lived in the area, and was willing to do the research, I became interested, and upon reading the description and finding out that a large portion of the story was based upon the fascinating wreck of the Brother Jonathan, which I have long been curious about, I knew I would have to give it a try.
The Crescent's Edge is a long read for someone like me, who usually writes and teaches books in the middle and high school grade levels. But every word of this novel was enjoyable and after 640 pages I found myself hoping for a sequel.
The book spans two timelines and involves a bit of confusion as all the author reference to two of the main characters use their names, but the friends and contemporaries address them by each other's names. It isn't as confusing as it sounds however, and works. Think of the old Disney, "Freaky Friday" stories and you will understand the body switch which happens here. It is a strange concept but believably explained in the world of the story and a lovely way to visit both the old era Crescent City, and the current era.
The real strength of this book is in the setting and characters being handled in a way that makes them feel real. You see the disturbing history and the contrasting fact that the same people who show such empathy to the shipwreck survivors and to the families of the dead, are the same people who live and accept such very unempathetic things as legally being able to hunt "Indians" and dumping some bodies in a mass grave on unhallowed ground if they couldn't be proven to be Christian. You see the segregation of the Chinese to a limited section of town and the cruelty of dog fighting. There are a lot of real life issues covered inside this charming, time tangled fantasy, but it never comes off as preachy or judgmental. The book is also filled with fascinating quotes and has an interesting bibliography if you are interested in exploring the history more yourself.
If you want a good read with a bit of education as a side order then this fits the bill. I really recommend it highly.
April 5, 2016
I loved this book! It was a fun fictional and historical ride through the city I now call home! I really really hope she writes a sequel! I want to know how Thad and Becca turn out!!!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews