Heather’s Bookshelf: Through the Gate
Author: Kay Jordan
Released: 08/14/20
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
“Glancing out the window facing the back garden, the moon reflected off the snow that had fallen overnight. A stone wall that surrounded the garden stood in the shadows. It seemed to grow higher the more Elsie stared at it, mocking any plans she had to escape.”
“Through the Gate” introduces Elsie, a fifteen year old girl, living in Canada in the late 1800s. After her father dies, Elsie and her mother go to work at a castle for the Dunsmuir family. Her mother is grateful for the opportunity, but Elsie is less than thrilled.
Elsie feels trapped in her job and her life. She misses her father and worries for her mother. Trying to make the best out of her situation, she tries to appease her mother and the overbearing maid, Mrs. White. But she’s desperate to get out and escape the confines of the castle.
Trying to make the best out of her situation (while also thinking of her end goal of getting out and acting), she befriends some of the others in the household including a secretive outsider who steals her young heart. Elsie learns all about who to trust and taking your shot in order to try to move toward fulfilling your dreams.
Trigger Warning: sexism, classism
Overall, I enjoyed the tale. The main character of Elsie was every bit the dreamy, angsty, and emotional teenage girl I wanted her to be. The budding romance was sweet while also emphasizing the importance young girls and women place on even the most benign of relationships. The environment of the castle was intriguing and the cast of characters was very individualized with unique personalities and motivations. This story was more of a coming of age tale so it dragged along in places and did not focus on a main event, but it did show Elsie’s growth and setup for the future. There were a couple of hints of the potential of mystery throughout the tale which really did not develop into much. Everything ended up resolved in the end with an opening to future stories if the author desires but a conclusion to this part of Elsie’s life.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A lovely young protagonist finds her away in this sometimes slow-moving coming of age story
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