Title: JEM: A FOREIGNER IN PHILADELPHIA
Author: DELANEY GREEN
Genre: FICTION, FANTASY, HISTORICAL FICTION, PARANORMAL FICTION
Length: 364 PAGES
Publisher: SELF-PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR
Received From: THE AUTHOR
Release Date: MAY 25, 2018
ISBN: 9780998263311
Rating: 5 OUT OF STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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DESCRIPTION:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Thirteen years before the Revolution
Apprentice physician Jem Connolly sets sail for the New World to escape Patch—an agent for a Dark power that wants to drain Jem’s inherited magic, Second Sight—and to fulfill the prophecy of her mentor in magic, Granny Kestrel, that Jem will find her destiny in America. In London, 14-year-old Jem studied with Ben Franklin; in the Colonies, Jem will stay with his wife, Deborah, and their daughter, Sally. When Jem’s ship lands in Philadelphia, she expects to find out right away what she’s supposed to do with her life. Instead, she clashes with a rude frontiersman, doctors the crew aboard a quarantined plague ship, battles a practitioner of voudon, and meets a mystic who takes her on a journey into a world that shimmers beneath our own, a world that connects to Jem’s visions. Jem wants to find her destiny—but where is she supposed to look?
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BEN FRANKLIN – Photo Obtained from Wikipedia
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MY REVIEW:
I would like to start my review with a heartfelt thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book. It is the third book in the JEM Series and Book Two was wonderful. You can read my review of that book by clicking HERE.
I am certain that one of the key reasons that set Delaney Green apart from other historical fiction writers is her meticulous attention to detail, to research and to historical accuracy. Sure, other writers do research, but Delaney Green goes to extreme lengths to ensure that her stories are authentic down to the smallest details such as what plants grew in Philadelphia in the 1760s and what the locals referred to them as.
Jem is a wonderful protagonist. She is a smart, sassy young woman who is at turns both fearless and vulnerable. By incorporating both Jem’s knowledge and desire to be taken seriously as a physician at a time in history when most young women were concerned only with marriage prospects, the author reminds readers of just how far women’s rights have come in the past few centuries. Imagine knowing you are just as intelligent (if not more so), and just as knowledgeable as a man but being laughed at or dismissed purely due to gender – it is galling and thankfully rare in modern times, but is a daily occurence for Jem. I admire her perseverance and dedication to healing the sick.
This book is an absolute pleasure to read and the story pulls you in, grabs both your heart and mind and won’t let go.
Due to her phenomenal research I not only enjoyed the story for itself, but also learned many fascinating historical facts.
I rate this gem of a book (pun intended) as 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I am not sure I have the words to convey just how highly I recommend this book. The subject matter will appeal to a readers with a wide variety of interests and tastes. Lovers of historical fiction will not be disappointed. Readers with interest in the paranormal and with magic will also find Jem’s story enchanting. The same goes for those who are looking for stories containing strong female leads. I could go on and on, but I believe I have made my point, which is… THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ!
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Photo Obtained from Americanmedicalhistory.wordpress.com
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Delaney Green writes short and long speculative fiction.
She is the author of the Jem books, about a girl with Second Sight who grows up in the years between the Seven Years’ War and the American War of Independence.
Green’s short mystery story, “Tsunami Surprise,” appeared in Bouchercon 2014: Murder at the Beach.
She has been a reporter, a copy editor, a professional actress, a Broadway theater concessions manager, and a farm laborer.
Green studied theater at Bread Loaf School of English in Middlebury, Vermont, and taught English for 25 years.
She lives in the American Midwest.
To learn more about this author, visit the following links:
Amie's Book Reviews 