Author: Barbara Quick
Genre: Teen Historical Fiction
Publication Date: April 6, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN-13 Book: 9780061448874
Source: Received copy from author to participate in this tour. This is my honest review!
A Golden Web by Barbara QuickMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Alessandra Giliani is intelligent and inquisitive, and in fourteenth century Italy, those are not welcome traits in a young woman who is expected to settle down, marry, and raise a household. Alessandra longs for more than being cloistered away until her wedding. She longs to discover new things and new ideas. When being cooped up in the cloister becomes too much for Alessandra, she concocts a daring plan and will risk everything to learn more and become the world's first female anatomist.Barbara Quick has done a remarkable job bringing this relatively unknown piece of history to life. Her historical detail and her characters are exquisite. They feel like real people and you cheer and sympathize with them as you read.
Alessandra is a likable and remarkable young heroine. She is very strong-willed, and determined which no doubt led to her successes. Her story is one of determination and intelligence.
While this book is a short read at only two hundred and sixty six pages, it is full of gorgeous detail. I felt like I was living in Alessandra’s time, and with her wonderful family. Quick’s imaginings of this young girl’s life are very realistic and interesting. I felt like this book could almost be a biography rather than a work of fiction.
Overall this is a wonderful work of historical fiction. It makes me want to go out and find out more about Alessandra Giliani. Highly recommended to fans of historical fiction, or readers who love to read about strong female characters who aren’t afraid to take chances to get what they want. A beautiful story.
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Hi Melissa,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this beautiful, wonderfully written and wonderfully appreciative review of A GOLDEN WEB!
You might also enjoy my 2007 novel VIVALDI'S VIRGINS, which was published as an adult title by HarperCollins, but has done a lot of crossing over to young adult readers since then. You can see a book trailer and read more about the history of both novels at my website, http://www.BarbaraQuick.com
I hope our paths will cross again in Cyberspace soon!
All best wishes,
Barbara
This book was a pleasure to read. I will definitely have to check out Vivaldi's Virgins when I get the chance. Thank you for stopping by and good luck with your tour!
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