allisonjpmiller's review
4.0
So good! Wow. I thought I had this book all figured out halfway through, but I was dead wrong. This is a tightly-written narrative where every detail is relevant, and yet it avoids telegraphing its secrets too early. Combine that with the deeply unsettling subject matter (and Cat Winters' deft way of conjuring up a lot of atmosphere with a little prose), and you have one compelling read that lives up to its premise.
The only thing that sometimes got in the way of the experience was the dialogue. Every once in a while, it would sound a little too long-winded and info-dumpy... not quite as naturalistic as I would've liked. But that didn't dull the impact of the story and characters, which had their hooks in me fast.
In short: here's a fantastic concept that – for once! *cheers* – is executed beautifully. If the Goodreads summary at all excites you, pick this one up. The less I tell you about the nuts and bolts of the story, the better.
The only thing that sometimes got in the way of the experience was the dialogue. Every once in a while, it would sound a little too long-winded and info-dumpy... not quite as naturalistic as I would've liked. But that didn't dull the impact of the story and characters, which had their hooks in me fast.
In short: here's a fantastic concept that – for once! *cheers* – is executed beautifully. If the Goodreads summary at all excites you, pick this one up. The less I tell you about the nuts and bolts of the story, the better.
hoganbreathesinink's review
4.0
This book did not disappoint! Granted, I wouldn’t categorize it as horror as much as I would mystery/suspense, but it still was intriguing and enjoyable!
I found myself hoping against all odds that things would work out in the end for Mary Shelley and Stephen—and while it was a bittersweet ending for them, I appreciated the way the author gave some good closure for them both. My heart truly went out to Stephen and everything he endured.
The story itself, while steeped in supernatural elements, is more heart-wrenching than scary (in my opinion). Cat Winters does a wonderful job in submerging you in the fear and desperation of the time period, and I really felt that the pandemic and the haunting were merged together in a believable way!
I found myself hoping against all odds that things would work out in the end for Mary Shelley and Stephen—and while it was a bittersweet ending for them, I appreciated the way the author gave some good closure for them both. My heart truly went out to Stephen and everything he endured.
The story itself, while steeped in supernatural elements, is more heart-wrenching than scary (in my opinion). Cat Winters does a wonderful job in submerging you in the fear and desperation of the time period, and I really felt that the pandemic and the haunting were merged together in a believable way!
bookswithlukas's review
5.0
LOVED IT. LOVED IT. LOVED IT. LOVED IT.
It's hard to come up with an original angle in YA these days, and this book is one that truly excels at that. The story and plot line are interesting, the historical detail enjoyable, and the characters well-rounded and likeable. The book is paranormal in nature but focuses the storyline simply from being about ghosts, to being one about spirit photography, and the crossing over between life and death.
'In The Shadow of the Blackbirds' is set in 1918, during the first world war and during the time in which the Spanish flu was killing people left right and centre. Our plucky little hero is sent to live with her aunt to escape the flu in the city only to find that the flu has followed her and taken residence in her new town. To go along with this, we also discover that her dream boy, Stephen, has packed off for the war and possibly died out there, leading her to believe that his spirit is haunting her.
Straight from the beginning of the story, I knew I was going to like the main character of Mary Shelly (named after the author, which could have been cheesy but somehow isn't). Mary Shelly, despite her young age is known as something of a genius, and represents the scientific mind in a small town which has been overtaken by the belief in the paranormal due to a spirit photographer claiming he can capture the spirits of loved ones within the confines of a photograph.
I liked the duality of the experience that our main character goes through within this book. On the one hand, she is certain that this spirit photographer is a fake, yet she also finds herself believing in the paranormal after her own experiences. The ghost/possession scenes are done extremely well, although not wholly scary. At the end of the day, this is somewhat of a morbid love story, between a girl and a boy who may or may not even be dead, and it takes that plot line and somehow manages to make it sweet.
The other great thing about this book was in it's descriptions of the flu, while ghosts are referenced throughout, the biggest killer and monster within the story is the disease itself. References are made throughout about how the main character is forced to have onion baths, wear flu masks, and details the paranoia of who does or doesn't have it.
I could honestly go on about the merits of this book for days, as it's truly one of the best and most enjoyable YA books I've read in a long time. If there' one negative (and it's not even really a negative) it's that the pictures featured throughout (a la Miss Peregrine) didn't feel needed. They didn't detract from the novel in any way, but I also don't feel they added too much either.
Overall, go out and get this book. You will love it. I promise.
It's hard to come up with an original angle in YA these days, and this book is one that truly excels at that. The story and plot line are interesting, the historical detail enjoyable, and the characters well-rounded and likeable. The book is paranormal in nature but focuses the storyline simply from being about ghosts, to being one about spirit photography, and the crossing over between life and death.
'In The Shadow of the Blackbirds' is set in 1918, during the first world war and during the time in which the Spanish flu was killing people left right and centre. Our plucky little hero is sent to live with her aunt to escape the flu in the city only to find that the flu has followed her and taken residence in her new town. To go along with this, we also discover that her dream boy, Stephen, has packed off for the war and possibly died out there, leading her to believe that his spirit is haunting her.
Straight from the beginning of the story, I knew I was going to like the main character of Mary Shelly (named after the author, which could have been cheesy but somehow isn't). Mary Shelly, despite her young age is known as something of a genius, and represents the scientific mind in a small town which has been overtaken by the belief in the paranormal due to a spirit photographer claiming he can capture the spirits of loved ones within the confines of a photograph.
I liked the duality of the experience that our main character goes through within this book. On the one hand, she is certain that this spirit photographer is a fake, yet she also finds herself believing in the paranormal after her own experiences. The ghost/possession scenes are done extremely well, although not wholly scary. At the end of the day, this is somewhat of a morbid love story, between a girl and a boy who may or may not even be dead, and it takes that plot line and somehow manages to make it sweet.
The other great thing about this book was in it's descriptions of the flu, while ghosts are referenced throughout, the biggest killer and monster within the story is the disease itself. References are made throughout about how the main character is forced to have onion baths, wear flu masks, and details the paranoia of who does or doesn't have it.
I could honestly go on about the merits of this book for days, as it's truly one of the best and most enjoyable YA books I've read in a long time. If there' one negative (and it's not even really a negative) it's that the pictures featured throughout (a la Miss Peregrine) didn't feel needed. They didn't detract from the novel in any way, but I also don't feel they added too much either.
Overall, go out and get this book. You will love it. I promise.
marisamoo's review
4.0
um. whAT?
That was
I have gotten this book 5 times from the library but I've never finished it. WHY? THIS WAS GOOD. And the ghosts and creepy birds and the settingggg.
I don't know man, I don't think it's a 5 star. 3.5 seems about just right. But I'm going to round up.
That was gOOD. and I'M EMOTIONAL.
Mary was ok? She was really stubborn and misled and crazy and stuff. But wasn't my favorite MC ever. And Aunt Eva? The feelings are real.
Review to come
Also I haven't rated a book under 3 stars all year this is a gOOD thing.
That was
I have gotten this book 5 times from the library but I've never finished it. WHY? THIS WAS GOOD. And the ghosts and creepy birds and the settingggg.
I don't know man, I don't think it's a 5 star. 3.5 seems about just right. But I'm going to round up.
That was gOOD. and I'M EMOTIONAL.
Mary was ok? She was really stubborn and misled and crazy and stuff. But wasn't my favorite MC ever. And Aunt Eva? The feelings are real.
Review to come
Also I haven't rated a book under 3 stars all year this is a gOOD thing.
wrenl's review
4.0
Welcome to Book City
Date: November 26, 2014
Spoilers Ahead
Headline
In the Shadow of Blackbirds
Cat Winters
In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?
Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.
City Calendar:
This is what happened during the week.
Mary Shelley gets to her aunt's house. She dreams about Stephen her love and the kiss they shared. She goes to Julius's photography studio and gets photographed and a present from Stephen. She talks to her aunt Eva about Stephen. She finds out that Stephen's dead. She finds out that her dad is on trial. Mary Shelley attempts to kill herself during a lightning storm but fails. She goes to Stephen's funeral and hears Stephen. She goes to Mr. Darning for a photo and talks about Stephen and the supernatural. She goes to the library afterwards and reads about lightning strikes and birds in war. She goes to a Red Cross Hospital. She reads Tom Sawyer to the soldiers. She goes home. Her aunt comes home with Julius who asks for a photo of Mary Shelley with spirits. Julius grabs Mary Shelley, and Aunt Eva demands for him to leave. Stephen comes in the night, talking to Mary Shelley. Mary Shelley goes to the Red Cross Hospital again and talks to one of Stephen's friends who says that Stephen was discharged early. Mr. Darning comes to see the compass phenomenon. Mary Shelley dreams of Stephen. She figures out that Stephen was at home when she got her photo done. Mary Shelley almost kills Oberon the bird because Stephen had a minor fear of birds. Gracie comes over and tells the truth, that Stephen was home at the time and that he shot himself. Mary Shelley speaks as Stephen. Aunt Eva gets the flu after Gracie leaves. Mr. Darning and Mary Shelley go to Julius's house after Aunt Eva is taken, and Mary Shelley thinks she'll die. She finds out that Mr. Darning and Julius both helped make Stephen want to die. And that Stephen did shoot himself. By accident in an attempt to stop his attackers. She is knocked unconscious and finally lets Stephen go. She goes back into her body and is taken to the hospital. She wakes up after battling the flu and leaves the hospital after reading a letter written by Stephen and hidden by a photograph. She sees her aunt is well. Mary Shelley goes and sees all of Stephen's hidden photographs and taken them home. The war ends, and the people celebrate.
And that's what happened this week.
Personal Ads:
Mary Shelley Black.
Strong. Determined. Girlfriend to now-dead soldier named Stephen. Scientist. Hit by lightning and becomes a spiritual magnet. Brave. Cares for those she loves. Will do anything to help her loved ones. Forward thinking. Rational. Slowly starts to believe in life-after-death.
Opinions:
I feel like I'm not exactly on the same side of this book.
I like the supernatural elements. It's interesting. I like it. I thought I would be terrified by the supernatural elements. But they weren't too bad. It was simply a confused and lost teenager boy. It wasn't scary which is a good thing. The supernatural elements are ghosts. But they aren't ghosts turning to haunt anyone. This ghost just wants to be at peace. Isn't that what all ghosts want? Isn't that what they all should want?
The main character Mary Shelley is a fantastic character. She's a brave heroine. I like that. She's not someone who needs to be saved. She has a plan. And she'll get it done. She doesn't get distracted by anything. She focuses on saving Stephen. And you know she will. I like strong heroines who know what they want to do.
I also like the historical aspect. Most supernatural books focus on urban fantasy compared to the historical world. This book focuses on the past. It weaves in the war and the flu to make the spiritual photography make sense. The deaths make people desperate. They want to see their loved ones one last time. They will do anything. Even believe frauds. The historical aspect is part of the story. It seems like a character. You're constant reminded that the war is there. It is in almost every single page. You know about it. You can't stop thinking about it. It helps the story along. It's a major part of the mystery to Stephen's death. I wish there was a bit more about the war. Maybe more war stories on Stephen's part? I don't know.
But there's the other hand.
I dislike the slow beginning. You don't get too much action until the end. Even then, there isn't much action. You don't have fighting. You don't have drama. You get a mystery. That really isn't a mystery if you think about it. The story has a lot of flashbacks in the beginning. Enough about that. We don't need to know all about the kiss and what happened. Can you stop?
I also dislike the lack of clues. I thought that this would be a mystery that I could follow along. I wanted to follow along. We don't get clues. We don't get to guess. We know Julius did something. You could just tell. But the problem was that we didn't get anything from Mary Shelley. She hid things from the reader that could have moved the story along quicker.
Weather:
Sunny with a 20% chance of rain
4/5
Date: November 26, 2014
Spoilers Ahead
Headline
In the Shadow of Blackbirds
Cat Winters
In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?
Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.
City Calendar:
This is what happened during the week.
Mary Shelley gets to her aunt's house. She dreams about Stephen her love and the kiss they shared. She goes to Julius's photography studio and gets photographed and a present from Stephen. She talks to her aunt Eva about Stephen. She finds out that Stephen's dead. She finds out that her dad is on trial. Mary Shelley attempts to kill herself during a lightning storm but fails. She goes to Stephen's funeral and hears Stephen. She goes to Mr. Darning for a photo and talks about Stephen and the supernatural. She goes to the library afterwards and reads about lightning strikes and birds in war. She goes to a Red Cross Hospital. She reads Tom Sawyer to the soldiers. She goes home. Her aunt comes home with Julius who asks for a photo of Mary Shelley with spirits. Julius grabs Mary Shelley, and Aunt Eva demands for him to leave. Stephen comes in the night, talking to Mary Shelley. Mary Shelley goes to the Red Cross Hospital again and talks to one of Stephen's friends who says that Stephen was discharged early. Mr. Darning comes to see the compass phenomenon. Mary Shelley dreams of Stephen. She figures out that Stephen was at home when she got her photo done. Mary Shelley almost kills Oberon the bird because Stephen had a minor fear of birds. Gracie comes over and tells the truth, that Stephen was home at the time and that he shot himself. Mary Shelley speaks as Stephen. Aunt Eva gets the flu after Gracie leaves. Mr. Darning and Mary Shelley go to Julius's house after Aunt Eva is taken, and Mary Shelley thinks she'll die. She finds out that Mr. Darning and Julius both helped make Stephen want to die. And that Stephen did shoot himself. By accident in an attempt to stop his attackers. She is knocked unconscious and finally lets Stephen go. She goes back into her body and is taken to the hospital. She wakes up after battling the flu and leaves the hospital after reading a letter written by Stephen and hidden by a photograph. She sees her aunt is well. Mary Shelley goes and sees all of Stephen's hidden photographs and taken them home. The war ends, and the people celebrate.
And that's what happened this week.
Personal Ads:
Mary Shelley Black.
Strong. Determined. Girlfriend to now-dead soldier named Stephen. Scientist. Hit by lightning and becomes a spiritual magnet. Brave. Cares for those she loves. Will do anything to help her loved ones. Forward thinking. Rational. Slowly starts to believe in life-after-death.
Opinions:
I feel like I'm not exactly on the same side of this book.
I like the supernatural elements. It's interesting. I like it. I thought I would be terrified by the supernatural elements. But they weren't too bad. It was simply a confused and lost teenager boy. It wasn't scary which is a good thing. The supernatural elements are ghosts. But they aren't ghosts turning to haunt anyone. This ghost just wants to be at peace. Isn't that what all ghosts want? Isn't that what they all should want?
The main character Mary Shelley is a fantastic character. She's a brave heroine. I like that. She's not someone who needs to be saved. She has a plan. And she'll get it done. She doesn't get distracted by anything. She focuses on saving Stephen. And you know she will. I like strong heroines who know what they want to do.
I also like the historical aspect. Most supernatural books focus on urban fantasy compared to the historical world. This book focuses on the past. It weaves in the war and the flu to make the spiritual photography make sense. The deaths make people desperate. They want to see their loved ones one last time. They will do anything. Even believe frauds. The historical aspect is part of the story. It seems like a character. You're constant reminded that the war is there. It is in almost every single page. You know about it. You can't stop thinking about it. It helps the story along. It's a major part of the mystery to Stephen's death. I wish there was a bit more about the war. Maybe more war stories on Stephen's part? I don't know.
But there's the other hand.
I dislike the slow beginning. You don't get too much action until the end. Even then, there isn't much action. You don't have fighting. You don't have drama. You get a mystery. That really isn't a mystery if you think about it. The story has a lot of flashbacks in the beginning. Enough about that. We don't need to know all about the kiss and what happened. Can you stop?
I also dislike the lack of clues. I thought that this would be a mystery that I could follow along. I wanted to follow along. We don't get clues. We don't get to guess. We know Julius did something. You could just tell. But the problem was that we didn't get anything from Mary Shelley. She hid things from the reader that could have moved the story along quicker.
Weather:
Sunny with a 20% chance of rain
4/5
bunnieslikediamonds's review
3.0
A charming historical YA novel set in San Diego in 1918, a piece of crap year where those who weren't off getting killed in the war were dropping dead from the Spanish influenza. Now, imagine being sixteen, lovelorn and having to bathe in onion water, eat onion paste and chew onion gum while trying to stay clear of corpses in the streets. Add to that a tormented ghost boyfriend and his spiritualist brother who wants to exploit your ghost friendly nature, and you have kind of a miserable set up.
Luckily, our heroine is the stoic kind not much intrested in self-pity. It doesn't seem entirely realistic that a girl in those times would speak her mind so freely and act quite so fearlessly as Mary Shelley does, but I sure liked it. Her investigation into the boyfriend's fate kept me interested, there's a nice sense of place and some genuinely creepy moments. Occasionally, the history lessons overshadow the story, but the young adults this book is meant for probably won't mind. Kids need history lessons!
3,5.
Luckily, our heroine is the stoic kind not much intrested in self-pity. It doesn't seem entirely realistic that a girl in those times would speak her mind so freely and act quite so fearlessly as Mary Shelley does, but I sure liked it. Her investigation into the boyfriend's fate kept me interested, there's a nice sense of place and some genuinely creepy moments. Occasionally, the history lessons overshadow the story, but the young adults this book is meant for probably won't mind. Kids need history lessons!
3,5.
sunbearbeam's review
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, and Drug abuse
Minor: Blood
allbookedup_'s review
4.0
I read this book about ten months ago and I found myself thinking about how chilling and how good of a story it was today. I could even remember how much I liked the cover of this book and how it had captivated me into reading it.
Taking place in the 1900s in America during the deadly Spanish Influenza this book has a connection with the modern world and made you feel connected to it. The main character Mary is a relatable person to read about and you often find yourself rooting for her with everything that is going on. There is a good twist in the book that did take me by surprise and that did really make the book.
I can see myself reading this book again.
Taking place in the 1900s in America during the deadly Spanish Influenza this book has a connection with the modern world and made you feel connected to it. The main character Mary is a relatable person to read about and you often find yourself rooting for her with everything that is going on. There is a good twist in the book that did take me by surprise and that did really make the book.
I can see myself reading this book again.
deadcowonabun's review
3.0
I would give this book 3.5 stars. I think it’s a really good read and I recommend it.
I was really pulled in about halfway through the book. While it was a pretty slow start, I liked the whole mystery surrounding Steven so much, I was trying to solve it right along with Mary.
I’m pretty neutral about the characters, weren’t super great but weren’t terrible either.
The one thing that did bother me about this book is that it felt like Mary could just come back to life whenever she wanted. She died and came back to life twice in this book. The first time gets a pass from me because it explains why Mary has a connection with Steven and the whole compass thing was cool. The second time she died and came back to life I didn’t like it. It didn’t feel like it served much of a purpose to me. She got to have that little moment with Steven I guess but either keep her dead or let her have that moment without making her die and come back to life. I just think with all the death with the war and plague in this book it doesn’t sit right with me that she can literally die and come back to life at will. It takes the finality out of it. 99.9% of deaths are final. A second chance is believable but not a third. THEN we find out when she wakes up in a hospital bed that not only was she already half dead from the severe head injury, but she was able to survive the flu too? I don’t buy it. If the author wanted to keep her alive and have it be believable I wouldn’t have added her getting the flu. It just seems unbelievable and unnecessary, again.
Overall that wasn’t enough to ruin the book for me. I really did like it and think it’s a good read. That one part just didn’t sit right.
I was really pulled in about halfway through the book. While it was a pretty slow start, I liked the whole mystery surrounding Steven so much, I was trying to solve it right along with Mary.
I’m pretty neutral about the characters, weren’t super great but weren’t terrible either.
The one thing that did bother me about this book is that it felt like Mary could just come back to life whenever she wanted. She died and came back to life twice in this book. The first time gets a pass from me because it explains why Mary has a connection with Steven and the whole compass thing was cool. The second time she died and came back to life I didn’t like it. It didn’t feel like it served much of a purpose to me. She got to have that little moment with Steven I guess but either keep her dead or let her have that moment without making her die and come back to life. I just think with all the death with the war and plague in this book it doesn’t sit right with me that she can literally die and come back to life at will. It takes the finality out of it. 99.9% of deaths are final. A second chance is believable but not a third. THEN we find out when she wakes up in a hospital bed that not only was she already half dead from the severe head injury, but she was able to survive the flu too? I don’t buy it. If the author wanted to keep her alive and have it be believable I wouldn’t have added her getting the flu. It just seems unbelievable and unnecessary, again.
Overall that wasn’t enough to ruin the book for me. I really did like it and think it’s a good read. That one part just didn’t sit right.
kricketa's review
4.0
spooky & romantic, with a great historical setting and a smart, strong heroine. loved it.