Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Blood and Silver is a vividly crafted story of a 12-year-old who moves with her laudanum-addicted mother to 1880's Tombstone, Arizona. Benson delivers an admirably realistic story of the challenges, particularly for women, of living in a Western 'boom town,' while keeping the tone age-appropriate.
Prose: Benson's storytelling is rich in historical detail, while Carissa's voice is punchy, down-to-earth, and tinged with humor.
Originality: It's rare to find a story for younger readers that speaks so candidly about addiction, prostitution, and the ugly underbelly of 1800's life. Readers will admire the novel's uncompromising storytelling and the heroine who perseveres at the heart of it all.
Character/Execution: Benson fills out the story with a vibrant collection of madams, drunks, and other colorful characters. Readers will root for Carissa to both save her mother from addiction and to carve out a life of dignity for her family
Date Submitted: August 22, 2023
Wonderful Characters! Great Story!
I am a huge fan of historical fiction and this book is absolutely one of the best historical fiction pieces I have read in a very long time. The eye to detail is so fantastic that the reader actually feels transported to Tombstone, AZ in the 1880s. Also, the characters are developed so well. I found myself rooting for and against people from the story. I simply could not put the book down. Such a fun, easy and emotional read. I just loved it!
