Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Review - Out Of The Ruins by Karen Barnett


Out Of The Ruins
Golden Gate Chronicles, book 1
by Karen Barnett
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Pub. Date: May 6, 2014
ISBN: 978-1426780578
Pages: 320
Buy Link: http://ow.ly/xlcaD
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/kbarnett

Review:

Though I do consider myself a big historical fiction reader, I'm not a fan of books set in the early 1900s, as I prefer the 1800s or what is wildly known as the 'wild wild west.' That being said, I do have a fascination about San Francisco, which is weird because I have never even visited California.

Out Of The Ruins by Karen Barnett is the first installment in the Golden Gate Chronicles and is set in San Francisco in 1905. By just looking at the cover, I thought the plot might involve a young female journalist or something in that nature, but I was completely wrong. What I got was an historical accurate look at the life during this era, along with an emotional plot involving a non-believer, Abby Fischer, whom has lost all hope that her sister, Cecelia, will ever get better from her illness.

Her sister has seen about every doctor in the area and all of them cannot help her, that is until a handsome young apprentice, Dr. Robert King, comes into their lives. Traditional doctors don't care for experimental methods, but Robert wants use a risky treatment in the attempt to save Cecelia's life.

Like I said above, this is an accurate account of 1905, so an unthinkable tragedy occurs, a mighty, deadly earthquake that shatters San Francisco. Abby must open up her heart and have faith in the Lord in order to trust others, especially Dr. Robert King.

I'm not familiar with the author's other novel, Mistaken, but I'm extremely impressed with her writing style and her in-depth research she must have done to give the accurate descriptions of the 1900s throughout the novel. Her narrative is emotional and haunting; leaving you thinking about Abby long after you finished reading each chapter. Overall, Out Of The Ruins is one of the most original, character-driven novel that I have read this year and it should be on everyone's must-read lists for 2014.


*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.



Karen Barnett Out of the Ruins

About the Author:

Karen Barnett is the author of Mistaken and several articles that have been published by Guideposts and other national magazines. She lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband, two children, and three cats.

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