What do you think?
Rate this book
Sunfire #13
Victoria
Texas' pride was in her blood, burning love was in her heart. A dashing Texan or a proud Mexican. Which man would win her love?
To beautiful, lovely Victoria Winters, Texas in 1835 is a place where parties last for three days. It's also a place of turmoil and violence. A war with Mexico can't be far off. Luis Artisa, the son of a wealthy Mexican landowner, offers Victoria security and comfort, but would she ever be able to adjust to his way of life? Cade Riley is a ruggedly handsome Texas ranger who loves Victoria. But he can't marry her until - or if - he returns from the battlefields. What will become of Victoria's Texas and the men she loves?
To beautiful, lovely Victoria Winters, Texas in 1835 is a place where parties last for three days. It's also a place of turmoil and violence. A war with Mexico can't be far off. Luis Artisa, the son of a wealthy Mexican landowner, offers Victoria security and comfort, but would she ever be able to adjust to his way of life? Cade Riley is a ruggedly handsome Texas ranger who loves Victoria. But he can't marry her until - or if - he returns from the battlefields. What will become of Victoria's Texas and the men she loves?
348 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1985
210 people want to read
About the author
Willo Davis Roberts
121 books136 followersWillo Davis Roberts was an American writer chiefly known for her mystery novels for children and young adults. She won Edgar Allan Poe awards in 1989, 1995, and 1997 for best juvenile and best young adult mysteries. Her books included The View from the Cherry Tree, Twisted Summer, Don't Hurt Laurie, Megan's Island, Baby-sitting is a Dangerous Job, Hostage, The Girl with Silver Eyes, The One Left Behind and Scared Stiff.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 29, 2008
(See my review of Amanda for my general review of the series.)
I have owned Victoria for years, but didn't read it as often as my other Sunfires because I had it in my head that this one was "boring." But we ARE embarked on a Great Sunfire Re-Read, are we not? And after suffering through Danielle, I'll take something I used to think was boring!
It's not perfect, but neither is it boring. Victoria Winters and her family have left their home on the coast and moved further inland to the Texas frontier. Vickie soon meets her neighbors: the Aristas, a Mexican family with a big spread, and Cade Riley, a hotheaded Texas Ranger with a ranch of his own. Vickie's doctor father wants to stay out of the trouble between Texas and Mexico, but Vickie (with Cade's influence) begins to feel a loyalty to Texas. Her parents would prefer that she marry Luis Arista, who clearly admires her, but Vickie has her heart set on Cade.
And that's pretty much the plot, aside from a few fancy parties at the Aristas', and the introduction of Vickie's cousin Billy and Cade's disabled sister Nadine, who rebuffs all of Vickie's attempts at friendship. Oh yeah, and the political powder keg blows its top and Vickie gets caught up in the events.
The historical aspect of this one was very interesting to me, especially since I'm a fairly recent transplant to Texas. There are many nicely integrated details and a little bit of a "You Are There" experience that is well-written even if it's a cheesy literary device. I also enjoyed the glimpse into the Mexican customs of the time.
Vickie herself is smart and resourceful, and not at all irritating, i.e., there isn't too much pointless waffling between her love interests. Although she briefly considers Luis as something more than the brother figure he's become, she is self-aware enough to realize that choosing Luis would be a bid for personal security and nothing more. Ah, sense. I love that in a heroine.
And now, onto the quibblage. The circumstances that get Vickie all the way to San Antonio are just contrived enough to cause some eye rolling. It seems that Vickie's been placed in this crucial spot under flimsy pretext simply to Watch The Alamo Fall. Sigh. And even though the Alamo segment is well-done (Vickie and Luis are able to climb onto the roof and see it all), the section in San Antonio does drag on a bit. She has to stay for sick father. Then for wounded Billy. Then no one can find Luis. Sigh.
I also wondered over the inclusion of Livvy, a young black girl that is left behind on the Winters place by the previous owners, and whom Vickie secretly helps to escape with a slave from a neighboring ranch. The episode is over before the halfway point of the book, and has no bearings on events later in the book. It was just there to show us how freakin' great Vickie is. I already liked Vickie. I didn't need this little manipulation on Roberts's part.
My other issue is something that I am beginning to believe is just a Willo Davis Roberts thing. Not EVERYONE has to find a special someone by the end of the book! (Well, Luis doesn't, but he's already started looking around for someone else.) While Vickie's attempts to get Billy and Nadine together were were kind of amusing (if only for the fact that we're never sure she isn't doing it for selfish reasons) the fact that they had to get together at all makes my eyes roll. I don't at all care about the romantic fortunes of barely-drawn peripheral characters. Yet Roberts wraps up everyone's romantic fortunes with a shiny bow in each of her books. Just not my particular cup of tea.
The verdict: Minus two stars for the various plot contrivances and annoyances. Otherwise, I enjoyed this much more than I did as a teen, and would recommend Victoria to collectors.
I have owned Victoria for years, but didn't read it as often as my other Sunfires because I had it in my head that this one was "boring." But we ARE embarked on a Great Sunfire Re-Read, are we not? And after suffering through Danielle, I'll take something I used to think was boring!
It's not perfect, but neither is it boring. Victoria Winters and her family have left their home on the coast and moved further inland to the Texas frontier. Vickie soon meets her neighbors: the Aristas, a Mexican family with a big spread, and Cade Riley, a hotheaded Texas Ranger with a ranch of his own. Vickie's doctor father wants to stay out of the trouble between Texas and Mexico, but Vickie (with Cade's influence) begins to feel a loyalty to Texas. Her parents would prefer that she marry Luis Arista, who clearly admires her, but Vickie has her heart set on Cade.
And that's pretty much the plot, aside from a few fancy parties at the Aristas', and the introduction of Vickie's cousin Billy and Cade's disabled sister Nadine, who rebuffs all of Vickie's attempts at friendship. Oh yeah, and the political powder keg blows its top and Vickie gets caught up in the events.
The historical aspect of this one was very interesting to me, especially since I'm a fairly recent transplant to Texas. There are many nicely integrated details and a little bit of a "You Are There" experience that is well-written even if it's a cheesy literary device. I also enjoyed the glimpse into the Mexican customs of the time.
Vickie herself is smart and resourceful, and not at all irritating, i.e., there isn't too much pointless waffling between her love interests. Although she briefly considers Luis as something more than the brother figure he's become, she is self-aware enough to realize that choosing Luis would be a bid for personal security and nothing more. Ah, sense. I love that in a heroine.
And now, onto the quibblage. The circumstances that get Vickie all the way to San Antonio are just contrived enough to cause some eye rolling. It seems that Vickie's been placed in this crucial spot under flimsy pretext simply to Watch The Alamo Fall. Sigh. And even though the Alamo segment is well-done (Vickie and Luis are able to climb onto the roof and see it all), the section in San Antonio does drag on a bit. She has to stay for sick father. Then for wounded Billy. Then no one can find Luis. Sigh.
I also wondered over the inclusion of Livvy, a young black girl that is left behind on the Winters place by the previous owners, and whom Vickie secretly helps to escape with a slave from a neighboring ranch. The episode is over before the halfway point of the book, and has no bearings on events later in the book. It was just there to show us how freakin' great Vickie is. I already liked Vickie. I didn't need this little manipulation on Roberts's part.
My other issue is something that I am beginning to believe is just a Willo Davis Roberts thing. Not EVERYONE has to find a special someone by the end of the book! (Well, Luis doesn't, but he's already started looking around for someone else.) While Vickie's attempts to get Billy and Nadine together were were kind of amusing (if only for the fact that we're never sure she isn't doing it for selfish reasons) the fact that they had to get together at all makes my eyes roll. I don't at all care about the romantic fortunes of barely-drawn peripheral characters. Yet Roberts wraps up everyone's romantic fortunes with a shiny bow in each of her books. Just not my particular cup of tea.
The verdict: Minus two stars for the various plot contrivances and annoyances. Otherwise, I enjoyed this much more than I did as a teen, and would recommend Victoria to collectors.
September 26, 2012
So completely annoyed at this book. It was so well written and I felt like I was keeping pace with the author and knew where the book would take me (In the way I wanted it) But she took it in the complete opposite direction that actually didn't make sense to me and left me seeing Victoria as a very stupid girl who was not going to have a very good future with the man she choose.
September 27, 2008
Not my favorite Sunfire book, but definitely worth the read. Texas war for independence
December 23, 2016
This was not my favorite of the Sunfires, but I remember liking it. The history side was interesting, but the characters did not interest me as much as some others in this series.
July 23, 2016
3.5 stars
Liked Vickie and the historical background. The "romance"? Not so much.
Liked Vickie and the historical background. The "romance"? Not so much.
September 24, 2015
OH MY GOD! I LOOOOOOVED this book as a child.
November 18, 2017
Victoria has recently moved to a new part of Texas. The citizens there are concerned about their lack of representation as part of Mexico. They end up taking up arms against Mexico and Santa Anna. Circumstances put Victoria near the Alamo to see how it was defeated. The Sunfire books also have romance in them. The heroine has to choose between two young men. In Victoria she has to choose between her cute new neighbor, Cade and Luis, the wealthy and kind son of a Mexican landowner. I was worried the romance would be over the top but it was fine and really took second place to the history.
I read the entire Sunfire series when I was in elementary school. I have such fond memories of getting new books on the book order or at the school book fairs. My sister and I enjoy quizzing each other about the books. She will say, “Johnstown Flood” and I have to guess which of the 32 books it is. In this case it’s “Jennie.” Until now these books have just been a happy childhood memory but I reread Victoria and was pleasantly surprised at how much I learned about the Alamo. I was worried it would be cheesy but it was entertaining. Glad to know I had good taste in 5th grade. ;)
Popsugar Challenge #25 A book you loved as a child
I read the entire Sunfire series when I was in elementary school. I have such fond memories of getting new books on the book order or at the school book fairs. My sister and I enjoy quizzing each other about the books. She will say, “Johnstown Flood” and I have to guess which of the 32 books it is. In this case it’s “Jennie.” Until now these books have just been a happy childhood memory but I reread Victoria and was pleasantly surprised at how much I learned about the Alamo. I was worried it would be cheesy but it was entertaining. Glad to know I had good taste in 5th grade. ;)
Popsugar Challenge #25 A book you loved as a child
December 21, 2020
Still in the top 3 of my fave Sunfires. I enjoy a book that has a good side romance too. (I would read fan fic about Billy and Naddy.) Wish the love triangle hadn't been so lopsided -- for example, the Mexican rancher is described as "handsome in his own way" -- and Victoria clearly had more chemistry with blond blue-eyed Texas Ranger Cade than with Luis.
December 15, 2018
The "romance" in the book is typical: a girl must decide between the wealthy suitor or the one barely getting by. The real gem of the book is the history of the war brewing between what would become the Republic of Texas and Mexico in 1835 - a war leading to the battle at the Alamo.
Read
February 25, 2025I would have chosen Luis.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2017
Nostalgia Book: I think I have finally grown out of these books (it is about time.) But I do see how they would appeal to a very young YA reader. I like that the girls are all placed in a historical time setting so that the reader learns a little bit about history. There are always two dashing young men as well. I feel that the characters, especially the men, are a little stock characterish but I just recognize this now as an adult. This book has quality writing and we see some growth in Victoria and the depth of the relationships of those around her.
January 30, 2022
Finally finished this one. Felt like I have had no time to read lately! Anyway, as it was the first time I read this book I'm keeping it at 5 stars.
Victoria like many took my heart and I so desperately wanted that happy ever after with Cade. Even though I knew the outcome I was still scared for her and everytime her parents spoke as if Cade wasn't an option I got so upset! Incredible book!
Victoria like many took my heart and I so desperately wanted that happy ever after with Cade. Even though I knew the outcome I was still scared for her and everytime her parents spoke as if Cade wasn't an option I got so upset! Incredible book!
July 3, 2017
I originally read this series back in the 80s, checking them out from my elementary school library. Having re-read them as an adult I think they stand the test of time and are still relevant as far as historical fiction is concerned.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews