Hardinge, Frances A
Skinful of Shadows, 415 pages. Amulet Books,
2017. $20. Language: PG (20
swears this book takes place in Medieval times so the profanity and cursing are
mostly used in a religious context , 0“f”); Mature Content: PG (very mild) ;
Violence: G (some sword play, head banging and some drug use as a weapon,
poisoning and such).
Makepeace lives in the Puritan
community of Poplar England with her mother. She and her mother live with her
aunt and uncle until her mother is killed in an apprentice riot. Makepeace is
sent to live with her father’s family. Her mother had escaped from her lover’s
home to save her daughter from their curse. Makepeace’s family has the ability
to absorb the souls of the very recently departed. It is supposed to be
voluntary but the Fellemotte family has turned it into a way to make and keep
their fortune. Makepeace takes on the goal of bringing down the Fellemote
family before they fill her up with unwanted guests.
Dreary everything is dreary. The story is interesting the
writing is strong but the overall feeling is dreary. For those who enjoy
historical gothic this would be an interesting read. The question is to portray a dreary existence
must it be drearily written? (I did have students asking if they could “check
the book out next” because of the intriguing cover)
MS, HS – OPTIONAL Review by; Lisa Moeller, Language Arts
teacher.
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