Acquired Book By: I was selected to be a stop on the “Silver Tongue” genre-bending alternative historical fiction release tour from Seventh Star Press. The tour is hosted by Tomorrow Comes Media who does the publicity and blog tours for Seventh Star Press and other Indie and/or Self Published authors. I am a regular blog tour host with Tomorrow Comes Media and originally had misconstrued the plot behind this novel; overlooking it’s potential! Something I read made me think it was more Horror than Historical, then after I realised my error I helped champion the blog tour to my book blogosphere friends whilst helping book bloggers come to know more about Seventh Star Press and hosting for TCM.
I received a complimentary copy of “Silver Tongue” direct from the publisher Seventh Star Press in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein. Likewise, I did not receive compensation for helping to promote the blog tour to other histfic book bloggers who might appreciate finding a ‘next read’ whilst on the tour or to review it outside the tour.
Silver Tongue The Colonies lost the Revolutionary War. Now it's 1839 and the North American continent is divided into three territories: New Britannia, Nueva Espana, and Nouvelle France where seventeen-year-old Claire Poissant lives. Claire has a magical way with words-literally. But a mystical power of persuasion isn't the only thing that makes her different. Half-French and half-Indian, Claire doesn't feel at home in either world. Maybe that's why she's bonded so tightly with her fellow outcasts and best friends: Phileas, a young man whose towering intellect and sexuality have always made him the target of bullies, and Sam, a descendant of George Washington who shares the disgraced general's terrible, secret curse. But when Sam's family is murdered, these bonds are tested and Claire's special ability is strained to its limits as the three hunt the men responsible into dangerous lands. Along the way they cross paths with P.T. Barnum, William Frankenstein and other characters from both history and fantasy as they learn the hard way that man is often the most horrific monster and that growing up sometimes means learning to let go of the things you hold most dear. Places to find the book: ISBN: 9781941706800 Also by this author: Lona Chang: A Superhero Detective Story Published by Seventh Star Press Format: Paperback Edition Pages: 274
by AshleyRose Sullivan
Illustrator/Cover Designer: AshleyRose Sullivan
Source: Publisher via Tomorrow Comes Media
Published By: Seventh Star Press (@7thStarPress)
Available Formats: Softcover, E-book
Converse via: #AshleyRoseSullivan & #7thStar
(I would have used #SilverTongue but it was being used in-progress for an event and festivities on Twitter. Perhaps #SilverTongueBook might be more advantageous?)
A newfound appreciation for ‘alternative’ history:
The closest example I can think of having read prior to Silver Tongue within the realm of ‘alternative history’ would be To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis by Andra Watkins. The story within Watkins first novel was spellbinding because it dared you to take a step outside the usual jaunt you might take within the scope of historicals and proceed forward into this new dimension where time, space and historical artifacts converge. Artifacts of known history that is, and the historical past thereby re-imagined yet rooted in contemporary life at the same time; it’s quite the extraordinary read!
The unique thing to mention is that when I read the premise for To Live Forever I knew I would love the story but when I first ‘met’ Silver Tongue I must say, I was under the impression it wasn’t a story that would whet an interest in my literary palette. It was at the suggestion of the tour director at TCM that I gave it a ‘second look’ – which for me, meant digging a bit past the cover art (as therein alone it felt more Horror than Historical) and sorting out a bit more about the book as whole. On second reading of the synopsis and a bit of reading about the book between Seventh Star Press’s blog and the author’s blog – I drew an inclining curiosity about the plot! How to turn the Revolutionary War a bit towards a different outcome and a different landscape of the States, truly held my interest!
I think ‘alternative history’ might be one branch of ‘historical fiction’ I have the tendency of overlooking and I’m thankful truly, to be given a second chance at tackling a slice of the genre that tends to leave me with questions moreso than curiosities! One thing is true – if I find the right author penning the novel, odds are in favour I will pick up the book! Thus, having already read Ms Sullivan’s Awesome Jones debut novel last May 2014, I can attest to appreciating her writerly style! By throwing her story against the Revolutionary War she’s tap dancing around a time era I am already fully emerged inside with a deep passion! (I take after my Mum!)
My Review of Silver Tongue:
Claire is entering a new chapter of her life, as the tradition of emergence into a place within her family has aligned with her path; she is meant to become a part of the Sky Clan. Those intuitive souls within her line who are conduits of knowledge between dreamscapes and the spirit world. The other half of her lineage occupies the Earth Clan, those of whom are dealt with the responsibles of the land and the inhabitants upon it. It’s an interesting legacy, as each woman in her bloodline becomes of a proper age to ascend, they must receive a special tattoo on their arm, to mark the day and to alight inside their new path.
Claire is part French and part Indian, courtesy of her birthright of having parents who decided to marry despite the fact many others amongst them choose to live separately: the French and Indians taking up residences in different parts of the area. There is a keen undertone to contemporary themes stitched into the background of Claire’s ancestry, but also, of themes of contemporary life which deserve contemplation and discussion. There is much afoot as before we can even settle into her life where we have arrived inside it, tragedy and alarming insight into one of her best friends’ takes us further into the expanding background of the story.
Although, I am not very familiar with werewolves, and on more than one occasion inclined to say I avoid stories of weremen, I must admit, the conversion scene involving Sam reminded me so very much of what happens in Harry Potter! I had such a fondness for Harry’s Uncle, that much is true – although I don’t believe he was the werewolf, I think the teacher was instead? The details are muddled; his Uncle was a ‘canine’ of some kind and I appreciated how his story was revealed as much as how Sullivan reveals Sam’s truer state. (in regards to Potter, I am referring to the films in lieu of the novels, of which are still left unread)
There is an emotional tie between the three friends: Claire, Sam and Phileas that unites them when adversity strikes and where friendship at the most dire of times can be the fortitude that sees you through the most. I enjoyed seeing the ancestral gifts alighting through the story, especially in concerns of Native American culture, traditions and apothecary medicines. I even liked the understated parapsychological gift Claire has been bestowed with as how it’s projected into the novel, it’s nearly unseen because it’s organically a part of Claire. This is why I tweeted ‘keenly paranormal’ due to the insight on behalf of Sullivan to write in this attribute of Claire as though it was quite ordinary rather than extraordinary.
Seeing how the reconstruction of the States is separated into three main territories is interesting, as it’s part Spanish, part French and part British. As we move forward with the trio on their journey towards seeking the truth of why Sam’s Aunt was slain, we start to understand the fuller scope of the territories and how each territory has it’s own particular dialect and state of customs. Sullivan interweaves technology as it’s emerging into the narrative, with as much delight to be found as I revel in each new episode I watch of Murdoch Mysteries! I like how innovative inventions can take-on a new meaning when shared in a thread of story outside their usual realm of occupancy. Almost as if your on the fringes of seeing how an invention can truly change the world before the height of it’s awareness is readily known.
Such powerful passion and such honesty in friendship – Sullivan has writ such a heart-centered story about how the bonds of friendship are incredibly strong whilst giving us a bit of unforeseen romance in the midst of such strife as to cause a rippling of angst. You’re quite caught up in the folds of the adventure but every furlough of it we’re introduced to a new character, a character who becomes a larger part of the story and thus giving us a bit of heartache or celebration. The circumstances haven’t changed since the three young friends left their homes and towne in search of the truth, but what evolved out of this adventure was a strengthening of their resolve, their determined grit to survive, and their devotion to each other to bolster each other through the difficulties they face.
Alas! A cliffhanger and a hope of a sequel!
I must say, I do fancy serials, and this one has a strong start!
On my continued appreciation for Ms Sullivan’s novels:
The foundation of Sullivan’s novel is so apt and accurate to it’s own voice of authenticity, I had to remind myself it was an ‘alternative’ historical novel! From the moment I first picked up the novel itself, I had this quickening as I started to read the opening chapters – I was both drawn by my newfound fascination of this hidden niche of a genre, but also more to the point – curious how Sullivan would tackle this genre in exchange for the one I had already found to love by her. The accuracy of the back-story being shared about Claire’s mother and grand-mother felt quite realistic – almost as if they were taken from the pages of a family history journal, rather than Ms Sullivan’s imagination.
I did not find this novel shockingly horrific but rather, realistically visual – meaning, when necessary you were given visual clues to the sequences of what was happening to the characters, but I wouldn’t say the depictions were gruesome nor on the line of gore. I appreciated how Sullivan took us front and center into the aftereffects of a murder, the nail-biting horror of an attempted murder, and the softening edges she gave to the paranormal aspects of the story as well. She has written an emotionally centered alternative historical giving you plenty of time to draw empathy for her characters whilst quite curious how her characters will champion through their adventure together. Because for all purposes, this is an adventure between them – one where they are coming-of age and maturing into their adult lives, transitioning out of their childhood and re-adjusting how they fit together.
I shall happily await seeing if the book bloggers I encouraged to read this story will find it as stirringly brilliant as I did and if they blog about their thoughts as they read the novel, I will be most delighted indeed! There were moments where I felt this novel also fit the Mystery | Suspense genre because of the uncertainty of who was behind the attacks and murders. This is why I *love!* genre-benders – they write their own thread of normalcy and as the bending takes hold, they assert their own truly original style! It is quite lovely to be taken hold of a novel I first felt might have been too much for me!
This blog tour was courtesy of:
via
as I am a proud tour hostess for:
Be sure to scope out my next Bookish Events!
Including my upcoming reviews for one more Seventh Star Press NEW RELEASES by RJ Sullivan (previously reviewed his Virtual Blue novel) where I showcase on the 28th of September Darkness with a Chance of Whimsy. I have already reviewed a NEW RELEASE by E. Chris Garrison Blue Spirit: A Tipsy Fairy Tale also on tour!
I will be interviewing both authors – stay tuned for details!
Reader Interactive Question:
What implores you to read ‘alternative history’ where the timeline of events we have as our own living historical past is bent against the author’s imagination? Which periods of time do you find yourself enjoying the most by these re-imaginations!?
{SOURCES: Author photograph of AshleyRose Sullivan, Author Biography, Book Synopsis, Book Cover for “Silver Tongue”, blog tour badge, and TCM Tour Host badge were provided by Tomorrow Comes Media and were used by permission. Ruminations & Impressions Book Review Banner created by Jorie in Canva. Photo Credit: Unsplash Public Domain Photographer Sergey Zolkin. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Comment Box Banner made by Jorie in Canva.}
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2015.
I’m a social reader | I tweet as I read:
Honor Among Thieves @JMAucoin_Writer
Silver Tongue @MyYearOStarTrek
Throne of David @AnnFarnsworth
wicked good Indies— Jorie, the Joyful Tweeter ?? (@joriestory) September 4, 2015
#amreading | Silver Tongue @MyYearOStarTrek
Quite happily surprised w/in this #histfic of alternative #revwar history!
Keenly #paranormal!— Jorie, the Joyful Tweeter ?? (@joriestory) September 4, 2015
Oh dear my! never thought I'd appreciate alt #histfic w/#steampunk undertones + a werewolf! Never say never http://t.co/k250udbCip! #SFF
— Jorie, the Joyful Tweeter ?? (@joriestory) September 4, 2015
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2015 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
This was one of your cosy horror halloween recs for me. It looks so interesting! I’m definitely going to look this one up.
Hallo, Hallo Louise!!
I am overjoyed you’ve made this one of your selections! The story truly surprised me and as you can see, it is very uniquely conceived! I do hope you’ll enjoy discovering what is inside if you can get a copy! Happy discoveries, to you!! #Blessed I sent you my list!!