The Mirk and Midnight Hour (Strands of Bronze and Gold, #2) by Jane Nickerson
Publication date: March 2014
I realize this is so very far away, but I have a good reason for featuring this novel!Jane Nickerson's second novel, also set in the "Strands" world, is based on the Scottish 'Ballad of Tam Lin,' and is set in Mississippi during the Civil War. Violet Dancey, a 17-year-old whose father has left to fight in the Civil War, is forced to confront Thomas, a hurt Union solider near her home. She must decide how to approach the enemy--and how to deal with her growing attraction to him. (Goodreads)
In case you didn't know this about me, I've become a bit obsessed with the ballad of "Tam Lin." In fact, this past February I chose "Tam Lin" as my retelling of choice for Project: Fairy Tale and spent the whole month reading retellings and writing about how we should analyze and interpret the original ballad. I had a blast learning all about "Tam Lin" and now I feel compelled to read nearly every "Tam Lin" retelling out there.
Although I haven't had a chance to read Nickerson's Strands of Bronze and Gold (which is a "Bluebeard" retelling), I love how Nickerson not only retells a tale, but also puts the tale into a distinct historical time period. Although this is technically the second book in a series, my understanding is that it's more of a companion novel than a direct sequel, so I'll be okay if I don't manage to get to Strands of Bronze and Gold before this one releases.
What are you waiting on?
Hmmm, Tam Lin is a fairy tale I might not actually be familiar with. I feel like a failure. I think I need to brush up on my fairy tale repertoire!
ReplyDeleteTam Lin is actually a ballad. I mean, it's fable-like and all but doesn't have the same sort of history to qualify it as a fairy tale. But it's still great and you should read it/retellings of it! :)
DeleteI know the first book in this series received a lot of mixed reviews, but I can't wait to see what this is like. I hope it's good! :)
ReplyDeleteMe too, Keertana, me too!
DeleteGorgeous cover. I had an iffy time with the first book in this series so I don't know if I would read the sequel. I sort of want to but I think it's probably a pretty bad idea. I can be convinced, however, if the reviews are mainly positive.
ReplyDeleteThe books in this series definitely have the best covers! And I was upset when some negative reviews came in for book one, but I don't care even if there are negative reviews of book two I just have to read this Tam Lin retelling. But I'll hope for the best!
DeleteI really do like the covers in this series though I am not a fan of historicals. Darn covers always making me want to read books that I know I won't like. I really need to get rid of the cover wh*re in me.
ReplyDeletelol. I think it's pretty much impossible not to love pretty covers. I'm okay with letting a cover help me decide whether to read a book - but at least covers have no bearing on my overall thoughts of a book.
DeleteI'm not familiar with The Ballad of Tam Lin but the cover is gorgeous and the synopsis sounds interesting enough. I've heard of Strands of Bronze and Gold before but I would have to look it up again to remember what it was about.
ReplyDeleteIt's Bluebeard retold! I really am liking the fact that this author is retelling fairy tales/fables in her series. I mean, I'll always like it when authors do that. But I have high hopes for The Mirk and Midnight Hour in particular.
DeleteI saw this is up on Edelweiss today!
ReplyDeleteI was sooo disappointed by Strands of Bronze and Gold -- Bluebeard is my favorite fairy tale, and I just didn't think it was creepy enough or had a complex enough plot for my taste. But, I *might* give this a try, as I'm unfamiliar with The Ballad of Tam Lin. I do like when authors set stories within the same world but don't do straight sequels.
Ooh really? Thanks for letting me know! I don't have an Edelweiss account yet, and I'm not sure my blog is big enough for me to get approved for anything from there, but I'll definitely keep that in mind.
DeleteAnd that's a good point - since I'm SO familiar with Tam Lin and various retellings, I could end up being more critical. But I also hope that I'd have an interesting perspective to add. I guess we'll see!
I'm planning to start Strands of Bronze and Gold today!! I just LOVE the cover. I saw that the reviews are a bit mixed, so I hope I'll enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI love the cover of the sequel too, even though less than the first one. Great pick :)
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Oh I'll be interested to know what you think of it. Hope you enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI really enjoyed Strands of Bronze and Gold, so I'll definitely be giving this one a shot! I remember your Tam Lin series, so this must be extra exciting for you!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear of someone who liked the first and wants to read the second now. :) haha and yeah, I suppose it is! I also like historical fiction so I'm hoping the combination works well.
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