The Year Of The Hangman

 Recently I read The Year Of The Hangman by Gary Blackwood, this historical fiction by Blackwood takes historical events and makes you think of what would have happened if George Washington never was General, and the question of what would have happened if Colonies never gained independence from the British. He takes these questions and turns them into a very well written book with many twists and turns. Throughtout the book I watched as the main character Creighton takes the journey from his homeland of England to a foreign place at the time Florida. Once Creighton reaches Florida we learn that the great Benedict Arnold is awaiting him there along with many other historical characters including Benjamin Franklin. As we read further and further into the book we get a glimpse into Creightons mind and we see how his loyalty shifts from England to the Colonies. So, If you are  looking for good historical fiction, give the book, The Year Of The Hangman, a try. You might find yourself surprised at how much you enjoy it!

Orson Scott Card

After completing one of Orson Scott Cards most famous books, Enders Game, I found myself wanting to read more of Card's writings. So, when I found out that he had recently published two more books, Pathfinder and The Lost Gate, I couldn't wait to get my hands on them.

As I started to read The Lost Gate, I found myself immediately hooked and I couldn't put it down at all. Although I enjoyed the story, I found myself skimming some pages that didn't have to go into as much detail as they did, there was an interesting twist in the book that made it a worthwhile read. I think Orson Scott Card did a pretty good job overall in this recent novel.

When I finally got ahold of Pathfinder, it was a completely different story. There were times when I just didn't feel like reading it mostly because the story developed so slowly but as the story progressed I realized that without the slow start helped contribute to the setup of an exciting middle and conclusion. I think Card really accomplished what he set out to do. I also think he nailed what the reader wanted. After the first section, you just didn't want to put the book down.

So, in conclusion, this year was a good one for Card who put out some books that I think kids and adults alike, will want to read for years to come. So, even if you aren't a huge fan of science fiction type books I think that you will enjoy reading it.