Blood Gold

by Michael Cadnum

After an arduous journey, Will Dwinelle and his friend Ben finally reach California in 1849 intending to bring home the man who betrayed the honor of a girl back home in Philadelphia, but find themselves tempted by the riches of the Gold Rush.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 11, 2004

About the author

Michael Cadnum has had a number of jobs over the course of his life, including pick-and-shoveler for the York Archaeological Trust, in York, England, and substitute teacher in Oakland, California, but his true calling is writing. He is the author of thirty-five books, including the National Book Award finalist The Book of the Lion. His Calling Home and Breaking the Fall were both nominated for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Award. He is a former Creative Writing Fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts. Also a poet, he has received several awards, including Poetry Northwest's Helen Bullis Prize and the Owl Creek Book Award. Michael lives in Albany, California, with his wife Sherina.

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

After an arduous journey, Will Dwinelle and his friend Ben finally reach California in 1849 intending to bring home the man who betrayed the honor of a girl back home in Philadelphia, but find themselves tempted by the riches of the Gold Rush.

The book was written for middle school readers it seems. So, although the time period is somewhat authentic; the plot, as it stands, could have been so much more. And, the characters and setting as well.

[Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book

[Michael Wing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael Cadnum wrote this adventure novel of 209 pages around a young explorer from Pennsylvania in 1850. Readers follow his first person account of trudging through Panama to reach Sacramento and search for gold. Of course, he is challenged each day and reacts with courage and humility. The trek also includes a jilted female friend back home, a suitable evil peer, and the history from the period and place. Cadnum does a good job with excitement and reaction to adversity. Will Dwinelle, the protagomist, is sometimes too high in morality, though he does chew and sip a bit of rum. A quick read with a reading level near grade 6 or 7, an early high school student would enjoy the time period if interested in alternative ways of understanding the Gold Rush days.

[Linnae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Character-driven plot with excellent period details. Not the ending you might first expect.