Elizabeth Rose (3)

Raven Birchfield is not real thrilled to move into a house once owned by her dead aunt. The house hasn’t been opened up in a long time. When Raven, her brother and mother arrive they realize how strange their aunt was. Raven begins school only to find herself bullied by one of the most popular girls in the school. She is placed in a horticulture class, which is not something she really had an interest in. After almost letting her flower for her horticulture class die, she brings it home show more and clears out an area in the back yard to plant it. In the process she makes a couple of discoveries. The first discovery is an old cemetery at the back of their yard along with a creepy raven. The second is an old book she digs up while digging the hole for her flower, and a quartz necklace. Both of these things will have a major effect on her life.
Raven suddenly finds herself in the body of Mary from the nursery rhyme, but she learns how nasty this person was in real life. When Mary is in control of Raven’s body and mind she is not the most pleasant person. The battle to remain Raven and not Mary is real. The question is, who will be the strongest and win the battle?
I loved that this was based on a nursery rhyme instead of a fairy tale. Most people don’t realize that nursery rhymes were an accepted way of talking about real people who were not the most pleasant. Everyone knows that bad mouthing a queen could get your head taken of. Write a nursery rhyme that has a hidden meaning and you could spread your thoughts about that person all you want. This was the first book in the series. I loved it so much I purchased it and the other two books for my classroom.
I loved that this book had a message about loving and accepting who you are. Maybe this will be the vehicle used by teens to learn this lesson. show less

THE REVIEW
After Nash MacKeefe and his friends cause a ruckus in the tavern, Cam and Gavin have completed their punishments and now it is Nash’s turn. He is to visit a neighboring clan, clan MacKenzie, to repair roofs after they sustained a raid from an enemy clan. Nash is also to marry the Chieftain’s niece to secure an alliance.

Clan MacKenzie was just devastated by the attack from the Sutherland Clan. Her aunt and cousins, the Chieftans wife and daughters, were killed in the raid, show more crops destroyed, homes burned and livestock taken. Kellina is the niece of the Chieftan and an excellent swordsman; she helped against the attack.

It’s always been understood that Nash’s parents were killed by the MacKenzies and that Kellina’s parents were killed by MacKeefe’s so when they were forced to marry, they (especially Kellina) brought a lot of anger and desire for revenge to the marriage. The book is about them trying to get past the anger and get to know each other. Some secrets are revealed that bring to light the real reason both their parents died and it actually unites them! This book the in the series was probably the best one in my opinion. It wasn’t as cheesy as the others in the series and a little more action.

TROPES
Historical Romance, Medieval Era, Scotland, Beta/Cinnamon Roll Hero, Highland Warrior Hero, Independent Heroine, Knife-Wielding Heroine, Orphan Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Enemies to Lovers, Forced Marriage, Outdoor Steam, Delayed Consummation, Three Star, Two Flame show less

As with the first book in this series, I had a hard time getting into this book and believing the romance between Cam and Yvaine. She is an abused, pregnant woman who, in an effort to protect herself, she kills her husband and must flee to her brothers monastery for sanctuary. Cam's punishment is to escort her and stay at the monastery to atone for his sins. But, in a weird twist of fate, he finds out he has a daughter who's mother has died and left the daughter to Cam. He is a horrible show more father and wants nothing to do with his daughter, he is rude & lusty to Yvaine, and he and his friends are so, so immature. I just couldn't connect with any of the characters.

Tropes
Historical Romance, Scotland Romance, Forced Proximity, Low Steam, Rake Hero, Illegitimate Hero, Highland Warrior, Widow/Widower, Working Class, Damaged Heroine show less

Raven Birchfield is new to the small town of Half Horse, Illinois. Raven, her mother and little brother, have inherited her Aunt Bestla's house along with all of it's belongings. Now Raven is the new kid at school and just wants to fade into the background. However, Raven attracts the attention of popular and pretty Janelle all too quickly when she is caught staring at Janelle's boyfriend, Dex. To make matters worse, Raven has dug up a strange box in her backyard, opposite a graveyard. The show more box contains a book of children's stories and a necklace. After Raven finds the box she begins to hear whispers of the name Mary in the wind and becomes very attached to a watering can in her shed. Eventually the force of Mary takes over and Raven learns what it's like to have her every desire granted.

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary is a young adult fantasy that creatively uses nursery rhymes as a vehicle for suspense and a tool to help facilitate change. The story is fast paced a quick read. The preface quickly interested me in the story as Raven said that she was the Mary in the nursery rhyme, whether she liked it or not. Raven's character is a junior in high school and she is facing a lot of the same issues a typical high school does. However, the story is narrated from her point of view and her voice and inner-monologue seems a little more juvenile than the age she should be. Although, through becoming Mary, Raven does grow and I hope to see the impacts of this in the next book. I did like the device of the nursery rhyme characters, the book and crystal transporting Raven. There is some explanation of how it works and why, but I hope there will be even more questions answered in the rest of the series.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. show less