rjwilliams911's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
saycheeze37's review against another edition
5.0
I was pleasantly surprised with this novel. At first I thought it would be too fact heavy and boring, but it turned out to be a good read. The storyline was easy to follow and flowed well. The author's mix of real facts and fictional characters was fun and educational. I loved the characters, the authors depiction of frontier life and the plot. It was really good.
isitagordita's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
littleladyluna's review against another edition
4.0
When everyone in Maggie's village, including her family, is killed for lending aid to those who fought on the Highlander's side at the Battle of Culloden, seven-year old Maggie Duncan helps a wounded soldier find his way home and is taken in by his wife, Hannah. Hannah is the village midwife and teaches young Maggie her trade as well as knowledge about plants and healing. When Hannah dies, Maggie knows that she can no longer stay because of the mistrusting townspeople who believe her to be cursed because of being the sole survivor from her hometown. She travels to America as an indentured servant where she soon finds her place in a family in need of a midwife and her healing.
I have to say that after reading the summary on the back of the book, I was eager to start reading. I was quickly pulled in by the story line and loved the character of Maggie. She is a strong female character and I did not want to put the book down because I was dying to see how everything turned out! I really enjoyed reading about the herbology discussed and it was clear that Blevins did a lot of research for her novel. I learned all kinds of cool things from reading this book! While this book had the requisite love story, the love interest was not your typical knight in shining armor. Tom's armor was actually a breechclout and it had a lot of chinks. Yes, he rescues her a time or two, but he isn't perfect (as the love interest usually is) and there were actually moments where I was unsure if I wanted her to end up with him. It was a lot like Gabaldon's Outlander series (a fiery woman with a skill for healing and finding nifty plants in the Blue Ridge, but without the time travel) and I truly enjoyed Blevins's debut novel.
I have to say that after reading the summary on the back of the book, I was eager to start reading. I was quickly pulled in by the story line and loved the character of Maggie. She is a strong female character and I did not want to put the book down because I was dying to see how everything turned out! I really enjoyed reading about the herbology discussed and it was clear that Blevins did a lot of research for her novel. I learned all kinds of cool things from reading this book! While this book had the requisite love story, the love interest was not your typical knight in shining armor. Tom's armor was actually a breechclout and it had a lot of chinks. Yes, he rescues her a time or two, but he isn't perfect (as the love interest usually is) and there were actually moments where I was unsure if I wanted her to end up with him. It was a lot like Gabaldon's Outlander series (a fiery woman with a skill for healing and finding nifty plants in the Blue Ridge, but without the time travel) and I truly enjoyed Blevins's debut novel.
pacrislopa's review against another edition
1.0
This book was thoroughly disappointing, maybe because it actually started so well that seeing it plummet to its own death was just annoying. The first few chapters were engaging and well-written: Maggie is tough and cheeky despite being shunned in her Scottish community. As the story continues, she rises to the challenges life throws at her: embarking a ship to the New Word, making a start in an unknown land, and helping others when she has nothing herself. The characters she meets along the way are spirited and tough, and we're plunged straight into Frontier life with adventurous gusto. There's even a blossoming romance that is nicely set up and completely believable (and let's admit it, the love interest is quite drool-worthy).
But that's where the fun ends. I found that after these first few chapters the story plunged down into bodice-ripper territory, and then into the bland-historical-novel abyss. The writing became sluggish and drawn out, and the plot seemed overly contrived. The only reason I finished it is because I actually did like Maggie as a character, and I wanted to know what happened to her in the end, even if I had to struggle through pages of poorly-executed storytelling. That alone deserves half a star, actually, so let's bump this review up to 1.5 stars.
Having said all that, this isn't the worst novel I've ever read, and I'm sure many people will enjoy it. If it had been written differently, I would've liked it, too. But the way that the story was told was too crude for my taste (with far too much violence and focus on sex), and the writing itself put me off. Give it a try if you're into Colonial America- you might like it even if I didn't.
mephala's review
3.0
I stumbled upon Midwife of the Blue Ridge's beautiful cover in its full glory on the James V Griffin's website and promptly decided to pick it up. Talk about judging a book by its cover, right?
First of all, this isn't really a romance novel. I would say, it's more of an adventure historical fiction with a strong romantic theme. I mean, romantic feelings certainly play a big role in the events unfolding in this story. But it's not only romantic love; any type of love or lust fuel a lot of - if not all - decisions in this book.
Another thing, this story is certainly more gritty and graphic than your averaged romance novel. Maybe if the romance was on the forefront, the almost naturalistic descriptions of brutal life on the Frontier wouldn't be so jarring. The author certainly doesn't shy away from even the most unsavory details of human life. Especially when it came to main heroine's - Maggie's - profession as a healer and midwife. Bit of a spoiler,
As for the plot itself, the story was unfortunately not that interesting or engaging. I rooted for Maggie, but didn't really care if she ended up with her love interest. Honestly, this book felt like it wasn't sure what it wanted to be. Sort of hovering somewhere in between gritty western and a light, almost unromantic romance.
3/5 stars, but a forgettable book.
First of all, this isn't really a romance novel. I would say, it's more of an adventure historical fiction with a strong romantic theme. I mean, romantic feelings certainly play a big role in the events unfolding in this story. But it's not only romantic love; any type of love or lust fuel a lot of - if not all - decisions in this book.
Another thing, this story is certainly more gritty and graphic than your averaged romance novel. Maybe if the romance was on the forefront, the almost naturalistic descriptions of brutal life on the Frontier wouldn't be so jarring. The author certainly doesn't shy away from even the most unsavory details of human life. Especially when it came to main heroine's - Maggie's - profession as a healer and midwife. Bit of a spoiler,
Spoiler
there was a point in the story when a little girl lost her scalp, brutal in itself. But what made me literary queasy was the medical procedure the main hero mentioned after that. It was historical accurate way to force the body to basically regrow a skin on one's scalp. And apparently it's still practiced to this day? For the love of all that is holy, do not Google that. I'm not one to be physically effected by images, but this one... Just nope.As for the plot itself, the story was unfortunately not that interesting or engaging. I rooted for Maggie, but didn't really care if she ended up with her love interest. Honestly, this book felt like it wasn't sure what it wanted to be. Sort of hovering somewhere in between gritty western and a light, almost unromantic romance.
3/5 stars, but a forgettable book.
timofeev's review against another edition
4.0
Normally I don't like it when an author puts accents into their story. It often doesn't flow well and just sound ridiculous in my head. This is not the case for this story. The accents worked well and I loved the characters. The story flowed easily from one point to another. I really liked reading this book.
colleenlovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
This is a 4.5! Really enjoyed this one! Review to come soon.
mephala's review against another edition
3.0
I stumbled upon Midwife of the Blue Ridge's beautiful cover in its full glory on the James V Griffin's website and promptly decided to pick it up. Talk about judging a book by its cover, right?
First of all, this isn't really a romance novel. I would say, it's more of an adventure historical fiction with a strong romantic theme. I mean, romantic feelings certainly play a big role in the events unfolding in this story. But it's not only romantic love; any type of love or lust fuel a lot of - if not all - decisions in this book.
Another thing, this story is certainly more gritty and graphic than your averaged romance novel. Maybe if the romance was on the forefront, the almost naturalistic descriptions of brutal life on the Frontier wouldn't be so jarring. The author certainly doesn't shy away from even the most unsavory details of human life. Especially when it came to main heroine's - Maggie's - profession as a healer and midwife. Bit of a spoiler,
As for the plot itself, the story was unfortunately not that interesting or engaging. I rooted for Maggie, but didn't really care if she ended up with her love interest. Honestly, this book felt like it wasn't sure what it wanted to be. Sort of hovering somewhere in between gritty western and a light, almost unromantic romance.
3/5 stars, but a forgettable book.
First of all, this isn't really a romance novel. I would say, it's more of an adventure historical fiction with a strong romantic theme. I mean, romantic feelings certainly play a big role in the events unfolding in this story. But it's not only romantic love; any type of love or lust fuel a lot of - if not all - decisions in this book.
Another thing, this story is certainly more gritty and graphic than your averaged romance novel. Maybe if the romance was on the forefront, the almost naturalistic descriptions of brutal life on the Frontier wouldn't be so jarring. The author certainly doesn't shy away from even the most unsavory details of human life. Especially when it came to main heroine's - Maggie's - profession as a healer and midwife. Bit of a spoiler,
Spoiler
there was a point in the story when a little girl lost her scalp, brutal in itself. But what made me literary queasy was the medical procedure the main hero mentioned after that. It was historical accurate way to force the body to basically regrow a skin on one's scalp. And apparently it's still practiced to this day? For the love of all that is holy, do not Google that. I'm not one to be physically effected by images, but this one... Just nope.As for the plot itself, the story was unfortunately not that interesting or engaging. I rooted for Maggie, but didn't really care if she ended up with her love interest. Honestly, this book felt like it wasn't sure what it wanted to be. Sort of hovering somewhere in between gritty western and a light, almost unromantic romance.
3/5 stars, but a forgettable book.
autumnsorcery's review against another edition
3.0
As the sole survivor of a vicious attack on her village, Maggie Duncan is viewed by many in Black Corries, Scotland as a harbinger of bad luck. But Hannah Cameron, grateful to young Maggie for bringing her mortally wounded husband home to her, adopts the young girl. Hannah is a midwife and she soon teaches her healing skills to Maggie.
After Hannah’s death, Maggie finds herself in a difficult position. The people of Black Corries are very superstitious and blame her for Hannah’s death. Believing that Maggie possesses the “evil eye”, most of the villagers steer clear of her. When she’s offered a chance to sail to America to become an indentured servant, Maggie quickly agrees. Four years of work as an indentured servant seems a small price to pay for the promise of a new start in colonial America.
But the New World holds new dangers for Maggie. As settlers venture deeper into Indian territory, unrest grows within the local tribes. Indian raids are a constant threat. Illness can claim a person’s life swiftly, something Maggie is acutely aware of in her work as a midwife.
Along with the danger comes opportunity. Maggie’s skills as both a midwife and a healer are invaluable to the community. And when Tom Roberts, a vagabond hunter, starts to show romantic interest in Maggie, she begins to dream of a free life with him. Soon, however, Maggie will find her courage to survive in this new world tested as never before.
The Midwife of Blue Ridge is certainly a page-turner, but I found myself disappointed with several elements of the story. The crude language used throughout really distracted me from the main storyline. There were detailed descriptions of men urinating, numerous references to flatulence, etc. that I felt added little to the story. (One of the chapters of the book is entitled “Turds and Primroses.” While I appreciate that the author was trying to show the reality of frontier living, I often thought that these descriptions ventured into the realm of TMI – too much information.)
I liked Maggie’s character quite a bit, but I never felt a strong emotional connection to her. Several traumatic, emotional scenes are written in such a way that the reader feels like an outside observer. I really wanted to get inside Maggie’s head and know how these events affected her, but I felt that I was never given that opportunity. Events that should have had a lasting psychological impact were left largely unexplored.
The descriptions of medical treatment in colonial times were fascinating and they became one of my favorite things about Midwife of the Blue Ridge. There were lots of great little details like the use of spider webs to stanch bleeding or yarrow to ease the pain of a burn.
I felt that there was some unrealized potential with Midwife of the Blue Ridge, but I would not hesitate to read a future offering from Ms. Blevins.
After Hannah’s death, Maggie finds herself in a difficult position. The people of Black Corries are very superstitious and blame her for Hannah’s death. Believing that Maggie possesses the “evil eye”, most of the villagers steer clear of her. When she’s offered a chance to sail to America to become an indentured servant, Maggie quickly agrees. Four years of work as an indentured servant seems a small price to pay for the promise of a new start in colonial America.
But the New World holds new dangers for Maggie. As settlers venture deeper into Indian territory, unrest grows within the local tribes. Indian raids are a constant threat. Illness can claim a person’s life swiftly, something Maggie is acutely aware of in her work as a midwife.
Along with the danger comes opportunity. Maggie’s skills as both a midwife and a healer are invaluable to the community. And when Tom Roberts, a vagabond hunter, starts to show romantic interest in Maggie, she begins to dream of a free life with him. Soon, however, Maggie will find her courage to survive in this new world tested as never before.
The Midwife of Blue Ridge is certainly a page-turner, but I found myself disappointed with several elements of the story. The crude language used throughout really distracted me from the main storyline. There were detailed descriptions of men urinating, numerous references to flatulence, etc. that I felt added little to the story. (One of the chapters of the book is entitled “Turds and Primroses.” While I appreciate that the author was trying to show the reality of frontier living, I often thought that these descriptions ventured into the realm of TMI – too much information.)
I liked Maggie’s character quite a bit, but I never felt a strong emotional connection to her. Several traumatic, emotional scenes are written in such a way that the reader feels like an outside observer. I really wanted to get inside Maggie’s head and know how these events affected her, but I felt that I was never given that opportunity. Events that should have had a lasting psychological impact were left largely unexplored.
The descriptions of medical treatment in colonial times were fascinating and they became one of my favorite things about Midwife of the Blue Ridge. There were lots of great little details like the use of spider webs to stanch bleeding or yarrow to ease the pain of a burn.
I felt that there was some unrealized potential with Midwife of the Blue Ridge, but I would not hesitate to read a future offering from Ms. Blevins.