Walk On Earth A Stranger
by Rae Carson
Audience: Young Adult
Greenwillow Books (September 22, 2015)
IndieBound | WorldCat
"Gold is in my blood, in my breath, even in the flecks in my eyes.
Lee Westfall has a strong, loving family. She has a home she loves and a loyal steed. She has a best friend—who might want to be something more.
She also has a secret.
Lee can sense gold in the world around her. Veins deep in the earth. Small nuggets in a stream. Even gold dust caught underneath a fingernail. She has kept her family safe and able to buy provisions, even through the harshest winters. But what would someone do to control a girl with that kind of power? A person might murder for it.
When everything Lee holds dear is ripped away, she flees west to California—where gold has just been discovered. Perhaps this will be the one place a magical girl can be herself. If she survives the journey.
The acclaimed Rae Carson begins a sweeping new trilogy set in Gold Rush-era America, about a young woman with a powerful and dangerous gift."
Carolyn's thoughts on the book:
I'm a fan of both historical fiction and fantasy, so I was intrigued when I heard about Walk On Earth A Stranger. Definitely leaning more on the side of historical fiction than fantasy, the novel follows Leah Westfall, who possesses a unique gift - the ability to sense gold. And when gold is found in California, sparking the Gold Rush, Leah embarks on the harsh journey to California - seeking not only the chance of financial success but to escape from her uncle, who mysteriously appears after the murder of her parents. Along the journey, Leah must disguise herself as a boy as she searches not only freedom but for her identity amongst the fellow travelers (including her best friend Jefferson, the only person who actually understands her situation). The story is complex, weaving the everyday struggles of journeying across the country mid-19th century with the classic "strong young woman on the run disguises herself as a boy" plotline (actually, see my review for Under a Painted Sky for a similar read, although without the fantasy element) and Leah's twisted family history, making for an intricate and satisfying read. Her relationship with Jefferson is not only believable but feels authentic, and their intertwining character development was one of the most enjoyable parts of the book (although by no means the only thing I enjoyed). While the bulk of the story focuses on Leah and Jefferson's journey to California, Walk On Earth A Stranger is the first of three books in the Gold Seer trilogy (yay!), so I have a feeling that their life in California - as well as Leah's powers - will be explored more in-depth in the next books.
Walk On Earth A Stranger is perfect for readers who enjoy historical fiction with a serving of fantasy on the side.
Carolyn is a teen blogger who shares her favorite YA reads and favorite book related finds with readers on Fridays.