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A Bad Crossing
It was fall of 1892 and we were two days out of Las Palmas in the Canaries, all the passengers we ferried out of the Congo were gone, off to the aerodrome or looking for other passage to Europe, and we were just Red again and there was no reason I should feel this way. We escaped from the Congo, we got away. Better than got away. We had our cargo, and money. We won, even though they lost. They all lost everything, even their lives.
But the deck was surging under me and the wind was at my back. I stood in the worn spots, staring forward at the binnacle, checking her heading. She tossed, stretched out before me. 154 feet, riding low, the rising sea breaking over her bow, all blue in the morning light. I could feel the pull of the wind whistling in her rigging, her sails taught. I inspected them with a critical eye. We'd have to pull in the gaffs before she hits, I thought, but it could wait for breakfast. I loved that wet and cold wind, washing away the world.
But the deck was surging under me and the wind was at my back. I stood in the worn spots, staring forward at the binnacle, checking her heading. She tossed, stretched out before me. 154 feet, riding low, the rising sea breaking over her bow, all blue in the morning light. I could feel the pull of the wind whistling in her rigging, her sails taught. I inspected them with a critical eye. We'd have to pull in the gaffs before she hits, I thought, but it could wait for breakfast. I loved that wet and cold wind, washing away the world.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 20, 2017
“A Bad Crossing (The Autobiography of Calista Antoine Book 2)” by Mark Bondurant is an alternative history which resets the events of the U.S. Civil War until the 1888. Those who do not have a reasonable understanding of these historical events, are heavily encouraged to read the first volume “Red Jacket” to best understand the world in which this story takes place.
Bondurant’s story is historical fiction in a world that might have been, but wasn’t. Calista Antoine is a strong, young woman with a penchant for adventure. She’s also suffering PTSD from the events portrayed in the first book, and is struggling to fit back into her previous life. After rescuing her parents, sea-faring merchants, and traveling with them over the summer, Calista returns to school to finish her education.
Readers may find some elements of the plot clunky and despite the alternative history genre, off from the reality of the 1890s. Bondurant certainly has a handle on the major political events, and his twists of history are reasonable and fascinating, but his research seems to be lacking as applied to social/economic issues. At times, the characters are forced more by plot than they are informed by the real world. For example: Calista’s experience and abilities far outstrip her age (16/17), which raises the question why she doesn’t abandon finishing school altogether, as she’s clearly found her calling. Bondurant also drops a few anachronistic phrases, head-hops the point of view a few times, and falls into some of the more common myths, regarding society and especially women at the time. These are generally forgivable, as Bondurant crafts a story that is enjoyable.
In “A Bad Crossing”, Bondurant weaves an interesting story around the “what if” potential that history always provides. He creates a very sympathetic and capable character in Calista Antoine, who is sometimes forced by the plot into uncharacteristic situations, but altogether an enjoyable story.
Bondurant’s story is historical fiction in a world that might have been, but wasn’t. Calista Antoine is a strong, young woman with a penchant for adventure. She’s also suffering PTSD from the events portrayed in the first book, and is struggling to fit back into her previous life. After rescuing her parents, sea-faring merchants, and traveling with them over the summer, Calista returns to school to finish her education.
Readers may find some elements of the plot clunky and despite the alternative history genre, off from the reality of the 1890s. Bondurant certainly has a handle on the major political events, and his twists of history are reasonable and fascinating, but his research seems to be lacking as applied to social/economic issues. At times, the characters are forced more by plot than they are informed by the real world. For example: Calista’s experience and abilities far outstrip her age (16/17), which raises the question why she doesn’t abandon finishing school altogether, as she’s clearly found her calling. Bondurant also drops a few anachronistic phrases, head-hops the point of view a few times, and falls into some of the more common myths, regarding society and especially women at the time. These are generally forgivable, as Bondurant crafts a story that is enjoyable.
In “A Bad Crossing”, Bondurant weaves an interesting story around the “what if” potential that history always provides. He creates a very sympathetic and capable character in Calista Antoine, who is sometimes forced by the plot into uncharacteristic situations, but altogether an enjoyable story.
May 22, 2017
I loved the prologue (author’s forward) of this book, it reminded me of the writings of Mary Shelley and H.P. Lovecraft. The writing style changes when Calista starts narrating her story but it’s full of vivid descriptions and it’s a pleasure to read. The readers who haven’t read book one of the series may find it difficult to delve into the story from the first pages as it isn’t clear from the beginning what kind of adventure the main character has found herself in. They should also take note that some events in the story aren’t historically accurate as this book is written under the umbrella of the alternative history genre and the author took the liberty to alter some historical facts. To be honest, I got confused when Lufthansa was mentioned. LOL! However, the storyline was interesting and I enjoyed reading this book. This isn’t a clear five star read to me, but it isn’t a clear four star either; it’s more a 4.5 one. But I can see there is talent and passion for the steampunk genre here. So, I’m giving it a five-star rating as an encouragement to the author who I believe has a lot to give to this difficult genre.
April 13, 2017
Calista Antione has just started to get her life back together. After the traumatic events of her recent past (from volume 1), she wants nothing more than to go back to school and lead a "normal" life. Calista sets out on a journey to Europe to complete her education. Though our heroine boards the zeppelin with great hopes of studying music, things take a turn for the worse when sabotage claims the life of some of the passengers and the crew. Calista, with the help of some of her friends, acts as medic and help some of those lives remaining survive. Things go from bad to worse when infamy tarnishes Calista's name, and she finds that she has to face many untrue accusations. Though this steampunk fantasy is woven around an alternate historical timeline, that does not detract the reader from enjoying the adventure. Read A Bad Crossing to explore the courageous spirit of a truly remarkable young woman!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews