roseice's review against another edition
3.0
There's a strange style to this book that makes it both lovely and faraway. During the reading, I was not sure how I felt about Mitchell's writing as a whole. Upon finishing, I felt this book was... vague and poorly conceived to the very last page. And it's somewhat appalling how long it took for evidence of Amelia to appear. I hate this fleeting, obscure weave of characterization Mitchell insists on. It's lovely in its execution, but leaves me detached from every character, and I don't want to feel so far away from all of them. Also, I found the romance was shallow and without growth.
I'll give it three stars for Mitchell's lovely writing, which was at times a plus. But in short, The Springsweet was a poor portrayal of an elemental magic story (a genre I'm dorkily protective of!).
I'll give it three stars for Mitchell's lovely writing, which was at times a plus. But in short, The Springsweet was a poor portrayal of an elemental magic story (a genre I'm dorkily protective of!).
randijeanreads's review
5.0
I loved, loved, loved this book! Springsweet contains some of my favorite elements- A strong protagonist that possesses the ability to do something unusual,a love triangle,and it's set on the prairie. I can't wait until the next book comes out.
misssusan's review
4.0
Excellent. It's tricky to write good voice in historical fiction: too modern and it sounds off, too accurate and it can impede understanding. Mitchell's really good at it, Zora's voice is clear and distinct and she feels like she belongs in her setting (from Baltimore to the prairies; a frontier story!). I'm also impressed by the length: it's difficult to write a proper story with fleshed out characters in under 300 pages and this is the third time Mitchell's done it. Looking forward to the sequel. 4 stars
kairosdreaming's review
4.0
This review can be found on Amazon.com as part of the vine program, or my personal blog www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
hollylynna's review against another edition
3.0
Good..wish I had read vesper tine first...would have meant more I think.
operasara's review against another edition
5.0
The Springsweet by Saundra Mitchell is a sequel to The Vespertine. This book follows Zora who moves in with an aunt in Oklahoma shortly after the landrun following the death of her fiancee. Zora finds that this new frontier dangerous and difficult but filled with interesting people. Zora soon finds that she has the ability of a springsweet, one who can locate water, and finds herself in a love triangle between the man who is right socially and the man that is right for her heart.
I loved this book. While it was a sequel to The Vespertine it felt more like a companion novel which has a character from the original but does not continue the original story. The historical setting was written well allowing the reader to feel like they are in the frontier setting. The book is short and the plot engrossing leaving me with a story that I could not not put down. Both this book and The Vespertine reminded me of the historical romance novels that I loved and adored as a teen (but without all the sex.)
Appropriateness: This is a wonderful historical romance that teens will love. There is no alcohol or drugs. There are a few sections where it could be implied that more happened than just kissing but it is left to the imagination. I would recommend this book to readers 13+
I loved this book. While it was a sequel to The Vespertine it felt more like a companion novel which has a character from the original but does not continue the original story. The historical setting was written well allowing the reader to feel like they are in the frontier setting. The book is short and the plot engrossing leaving me with a story that I could not not put down. Both this book and The Vespertine reminded me of the historical romance novels that I loved and adored as a teen (but without all the sex.)
Appropriateness: This is a wonderful historical romance that teens will love. There is no alcohol or drugs. There are a few sections where it could be implied that more happened than just kissing but it is left to the imagination. I would recommend this book to readers 13+
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
3.0
Mitchell can write. It's pretty without being flowery and meaningless. The descriptions, the world, the setting, and the characters all work so well.
I'm a fan of the blending of historical fiction with magic, and I appreciate how Zora is a broken character. She's struggling with her past and it impacts her being able to move forward in a realistic manner. Things AREN'T easy to overcome, and Zora doesn't magically become right again in a new setting. But she gets what she deserves in the end, and the ending made me REALLY excited about the third book in this series because it'll take place in one of my favorite places.
That said, I felt like the plot kind of dragged, particularly in the second half of the book. A lot of big things happen, but I never quite felt like they mattered nor that they advanced the characters or story much. I wanted a little more investment in them for true impact.
You can read this one without reading The Vespertine, but you'll get a lot more out of this one if you have read it and are familiar with Zora's story and background. The magical elements will make a lot more sense, too.
I'm a fan of the blending of historical fiction with magic, and I appreciate how Zora is a broken character. She's struggling with her past and it impacts her being able to move forward in a realistic manner. Things AREN'T easy to overcome, and Zora doesn't magically become right again in a new setting. But she gets what she deserves in the end, and the ending made me REALLY excited about the third book in this series because it'll take place in one of my favorite places.
That said, I felt like the plot kind of dragged, particularly in the second half of the book. A lot of big things happen, but I never quite felt like they mattered nor that they advanced the characters or story much. I wanted a little more investment in them for true impact.
You can read this one without reading The Vespertine, but you'll get a lot more out of this one if you have read it and are familiar with Zora's story and background. The magical elements will make a lot more sense, too.
nataliejm's review
3.0
The Springsweet continues immediately after the events of The Vespertine, except this time it concerns Amelia's cousin, Zora. Trying to forget the tragic events of the last summer, Zora goes to stay with her aunt on a homestead in Oklahoma, where she discovers that, like Amelia, she has elemental powers and tries to use them for good, until people start to turn on her.
I think one of the story's main strengths was having Zora as the narrator. I liked Amelia enough in the first book but Zora is just more interesting as a character. She's flawed, she's recovering from a recent traumatic event, and she's fast-thinking and smart. And, of course, Saundra Mitchell's writing is as lovely as ever.
But, oh man, the love triangle was so bland. I just could not get invested in it, at all. It was obvious to me from the start who Zora was going to choose and it really ground the plot to a complete halt. Aside from the love triangle, this was still a great book, with surprisingly intense moments and a great main character.
(Also, the next book sounds awesome! I found a synopsis here and EEEEK it's set during WWI! So excited!!)
I think one of the story's main strengths was having Zora as the narrator. I liked Amelia enough in the first book but Zora is just more interesting as a character. She's flawed, she's recovering from a recent traumatic event, and she's fast-thinking and smart. And, of course, Saundra Mitchell's writing is as lovely as ever.
But, oh man, the love triangle was so bland. I just could not get invested in it, at all. It was obvious to me from the start who Zora was going to choose and it really ground the plot to a complete halt. Aside from the love triangle, this was still a great book, with surprisingly intense moments
Spoiler
I mean, HOLY SHIT SHE GETS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING!!(Also, the next book sounds awesome! I found a synopsis here and EEEEK it's set during WWI! So excited!!)
maidmarianlib's review
3.0
A very interesting companion book. I like the characters and the setting, there could have been a little more tension but overall it kept me interested.
andye_reads's review
4.0
You do NOT have to have read The Vespertine to read, understand, and enjoy The Springsweet.
At a Glance:
The Springsweet was a fantastic historical fiction novel, full of rich descriptions of the Old West, and loaded with hardships, learning, and love. Fans of The Vespertine will find something familiar, but altogether new in The Springsweet. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The Wild West:
I found this book to be such a good read. As Zora leaves her comfortable home in Baltimore and moves out to the new frontier in Oklahoma, I was completely captivated by the scenery. Some of my favorite movies are from this time period, and this book brought pieces of them back to my mind (especially Far and Away and Cold Mountain). I loved how there were details that made me see the land in my head, but not so many details that I got bored. Saundra has an elegant way of writing, and that really shines in this novel, and makes you feel like you might actually be a part of this wild frontier.
Paranormalcy:
Of course, The Springsweet isn't all about history. Saundra loves to add a paranormal twist to her books, and this one is no exception. Zora discovers that she has the ability to "see" the water that flows under the earth. She's a Springsweet, a Water Witch, a Dowser. This definitely comes in handy in the parched land of the Oklahoma Territories. I really liked the way that Saundra described this ability. It was something completely different than any other paranormal book I've read.
A New Family:
Something I really liked about this book was the family that Zora had. The relationship between Zora and her aunt and her little cousin was really great to read. I loved Birdie! Even though she could be a little stubborn, and rough around the edges, she was totally hardcore. You don't want to mess with that chick, if you know what's good for you. I also adored the way Zora took to Louella, her little cousin. She showed such incredible growth of character in the way that she treated Lou almost like her own child. And Lou was seriously adorable.
The Romance:
I wasn't sure how I would feel about romance in this book. Would I feel like Zora was betraying Thomas? I loved them in The Vespertine, and I hated to think of her just finding someone new and forgetting him. I have to say, this was handled really well. Zora thoroughly mourned the loss of Thomas. She didn't just pick up and move on to the next guy. In fact, she had no intention of ever loving again. She was blind-sided by the feelings she ended up having for the new guy in her life. Which guy? I'm not saying. Not a love-triangle, really, but let's just say, she has options, and I couldn't be happier with who she picked!
A Third Book:
I absolutely loved The Vespertine, and found something new and fantastic in The Springsweet, so I'm so excited that there will be a third book (especially after that ending)! It is called Aetherbourne and is set to come out in 2013. Can't wait!
-Andye
Readingteen.net
Content:
Sexual Content: Mild
Language: Minor
Violence: Mild/Moderate
Other Notables: Supernatural powers
For more details, check out The Springsweet on ParentalBookReviews.com
At a Glance:
The Springsweet was a fantastic historical fiction novel, full of rich descriptions of the Old West, and loaded with hardships, learning, and love. Fans of The Vespertine will find something familiar, but altogether new in The Springsweet. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The Wild West:
I found this book to be such a good read. As Zora leaves her comfortable home in Baltimore and moves out to the new frontier in Oklahoma, I was completely captivated by the scenery. Some of my favorite movies are from this time period, and this book brought pieces of them back to my mind (especially Far and Away and Cold Mountain). I loved how there were details that made me see the land in my head, but not so many details that I got bored. Saundra has an elegant way of writing, and that really shines in this novel, and makes you feel like you might actually be a part of this wild frontier.
Paranormalcy:
Of course, The Springsweet isn't all about history. Saundra loves to add a paranormal twist to her books, and this one is no exception. Zora discovers that she has the ability to "see" the water that flows under the earth. She's a Springsweet, a Water Witch, a Dowser. This definitely comes in handy in the parched land of the Oklahoma Territories. I really liked the way that Saundra described this ability. It was something completely different than any other paranormal book I've read.
A New Family:
Something I really liked about this book was the family that Zora had. The relationship between Zora and her aunt and her little cousin was really great to read. I loved Birdie! Even though she could be a little stubborn, and rough around the edges, she was totally hardcore. You don't want to mess with that chick, if you know what's good for you. I also adored the way Zora took to Louella, her little cousin. She showed such incredible growth of character in the way that she treated Lou almost like her own child. And Lou was seriously adorable.
The Romance:
I wasn't sure how I would feel about romance in this book. Would I feel like Zora was betraying Thomas? I loved them in The Vespertine, and I hated to think of her just finding someone new and forgetting him. I have to say, this was handled really well. Zora thoroughly mourned the loss of Thomas. She didn't just pick up and move on to the next guy. In fact, she had no intention of ever loving again. She was blind-sided by the feelings she ended up having for the new guy in her life. Which guy? I'm not saying. Not a love-triangle, really, but let's just say, she has options, and I couldn't be happier with who she picked!
A Third Book:
I absolutely loved The Vespertine, and found something new and fantastic in The Springsweet, so I'm so excited that there will be a third book (especially after that ending)! It is called Aetherbourne and is set to come out in 2013. Can't wait!
-Andye
Readingteen.net
Content:
Sexual Content: Mild
Language: Minor
Violence: Mild/Moderate
Other Notables: Supernatural powers
For more details, check out The Springsweet on ParentalBookReviews.com