Heather’s Bookshelf: Blood and Silver
Author: Vali Benson
Released: 04/02/20
Genre: YA Historical Fiction Novella
“Carissa rose early the next morning, as was her habit. She glanced out of the small window and took a moment to appreciate the pale-pink sunlight as it rose over the dusky mountains and unfamiliar plants of this strange place she now called home.”
“Blood and Silver” takes place in Tombstone, Arizona, in 1880 at a community built around a silver mine. Men go there to find a fortune and women go there to provide a different kind of service to the lonely men. Miss Lucille, a madam, brings girls and women to the area to work in a brothel. One such girl, Carissa, travels to Tombstone with her mother but soon after arriving, things start to unravel.
Carissa travels with her mother, Lisette, and two sisters who have all worked for Miss Lucille in the past. They move into an established brothel, owned by her friend Rose Red. Within hours of arriving, Rose Red is found stabbed to death (very much like Miss Lucille’s boyfriend and two girls that tried to leave her establishment). Carissa is young, but her friends fear she will soon mirror their fate. To top it all off, her mother’s addiction to Laudanum keeps her ill and needing Carissa’s help. The local sheriff arrives to investigate the murder and arranges for the town’s doctor to also make a visit to Lisette. The two men set out to help Carissa and her mother establishing a much needed connection with China Mary. Carissa must trust these new people in her life if she is to save her mother and herself from continuing evils.
Trigger Warning: prostitution, murder, assault, drug use, racism
Overall, I enjoyed this trip back to 1880 Tombstone. The main characters were well developed from both a personality and motivations stand point. Carissa’s determination and innocence shined through an environment that was not at all innocent. Her bravery and love for her mother were evident. The other ancillary characters were all clear individuals and had voices of their own. However, I felt as though a good portion of their backgrounds or motivations were more told in quick snippet sentences rather than alluded to by actions, memories, or flashbacks. I also felt that some scenes were clearly described (like the hotel) but that the imagery of the main town and mines was a little bit lost for me. I did enjoy the ending and how it wrapped everything up for the main characters. This is a quick read ultimately about love and friendship shining through even the darkest of moments.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
An endearing protagonist pushes this short tale forward in a fast paced story about love and friendship.
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