A review by loriluo
Featherweight by Mick Kitson

4.0

Featherweight was such a breath of fresh air - such a creative storyline with strong and unique characters! We're introduced to Annie Perry (formerly Loveridge), a spirited girl, who is sold by her mother at the age of nine following the death of her father. She's taken in by Bill Perry, a part time fighter and part time boatman who's much gentler than his occupations would indicate. Despite the difficulties in life, Annie is raised with a great amount of love and care and learns to take up fighting in order to support the both of them.

The writing is well done, with alternating perspectives between Annie and a third person narrator, and it's clear the author has done his research for the time period and setting of the novel. The characters have such depth as well, and seeing Annie's growth in strength over the course of the story is rewarding as well.