Poison in the Colony: James Town 1622. Elisa Carbone. 2019. 320 pages. [Source: Review copy]
First sentence: I am different. That is what Samuel says, and I believe he is right.
Premise/plot:
Poison in the Colony is a companion book to Blood on the River. This
book features Samuel, the main character in Blood on the River, but it
is narrated by Virginia Laydon. Carbone has fictionalized the people of
Jamestown and crafted a compelling historical coming of age novel.
Virginia
Laydon was the first white child born in Virginia. Very little is
actually actually known about her life and her personality. Carbone has
given her Virginia the gift of "knowing" or second sight. She uses this
ability carefully and wisely to help keep her family safe without
raising suspicions from her neighbors. (Not always successfully.) She
lives at a time when it took very, very little to be accused of
witchcraft and killed.
The book focuses on Virginia's life and
community. There is a time of peace with the native tribes--but will it
last??? Can either really truly come to trust the other?
My
thoughts: I enjoyed Blood on the River. I enjoyed this one too. As I
mentioned though she uses real names from the records and other primary
sources, all the characters have been fictionalized.
I would
recommend to those that enjoy--adore--historical fiction. I would not
necessarily place this one in the hands of reluctant readers or history
haters.
© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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