from NoveList PlusGrahame-Smith, S. (2010). Abraham Lincoln: vampire hunter. New York: Grand Central.

ISBN: 9780446563086

Rating: 3Q3P

Readers' Annotation: Abraham Lincoln's secret life as a vampire hunter is revealed.

Summary:  The story begins during present time, with an unsuccessful writer given the gift of a lifetime--the secret, personal journals of Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter.  Early in Lincoln's life, he realizes the bad things that have occured can be traced back to a vampire.  He vows to kill all the vampires in the country.  On his quest Lincoln encounters a vampire, Henry, that has a similar goal--to kill vampires.  Like humans, there are good vampires as well as bad.  Henry shares the weaknesses of vampires with Lincoln to train him to overcome the vampires' excessive strength.  Lincoln remains true to his vow until he has a family, but he is drawn back into vampire hunting when the tensions between the North and South heat up.

Evaluation:  Seth Grahame-Smith weaves together the real life of Abraham Lincoln with Graham-Smith's imagined one flawlessly.  On more then one occassion, I had to remind myself I was reading a work of fiction.  The author's writing style reinforced the feeling of a non-fiction book.  I appreciated how much fact Graham-Smith intertwined within the fiction.  Readers who weren't interested in the life Abraham Lincoln prior to reading this book may be inspired to read more on the real man.  I think this book will draw historical fiction fans that want something a bit different as well as those drawn to the supernatural elements.

Genre:

• Fantasy - Supernatural
• Horror - Supernatural
• Historical Fiction - Alternative History

If you like Abaham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter try...

• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
• The Secret History of Elizabeth Tudor, Vampire Slayer by Lucy Weston
• The Stake by Richard Laymon

from NoveList PlusHenry, J. (2011). Lime Creek. New York: Random House.

ISBN: 9781400069415

Rating: 4Q2P

Readers' Annotation: Spencer Davis and his family work the land of Wyoming.

Summary:  Spencer Davis grew up in Wyoming where he meets his wife Elizabeth who is visiting on a family vacation.  Spencer moves east for school to be closer to Elizabeth.  Eventually they return to Wyoming where they raise their three sons.

Evaluation: A sparce and haunting story of the men of the Davis family.  Readers will be left wanting more; however, they will be strangely satisfied.  It is the story of a love for one another and the land they work to survive.  I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book.  The author did an amazing job conveying emotion and a strong sense of setting with out using a lot of words.

Genre:

• Western
• Historical Fiction

cover art from NoveList PlusRosnay, T. (2007). Sarah's key. New York: St. Martin's Press.

ISBN:  9780312370831

Rating: 4Q4P

Readers' Annotation: Julia Jaramond, an American journalist living in Paris, discovers family secrets while researching her current story.

Summary:  Julia Jaramond, an American journalist, lives with her French husband and daughter in Paris.  She writes for a magazine who caters to Americans in Paris.  Julia is assigned a story to commemorate the 1942 roundup of Jews by the French police in Paris.  She discovers many Parisians unwilling to talk about that dark time in French history.  While researching her story, she discovers Sarah, who in 1942 was ten-years-old.  Sarah and her parents were arrested.  Sarah believed she would return within a few hours and locked her younger brother in cupboard and took the key with her.  Julia learns that Sarah's story is tragically tied to her husband's family in ways she could not have imagined.

Evaluation:  Tatiana de Rosnay weaves together an eloquent story of a little known event in French history.  Readers will be immediately drawn to Sarah and Julia, wanting to know their full stories.  Rosnay uses alternating narration for the first two-thirds of the novel to create suspense, which inspires the reader to read on if only to find out what happens next with their favorite character.  The author tastefully explores what secrets can do to a family.  Readers will want to talk about this book.  It is already popular with book discussion groups.

Genre:

• Historical Fiction
• Psychological Fiction