Walk on Earth a Stranger (Gold Seer Trilogy, #1)

by Rae Carson

[Beth C.]

What if you could sense gold? Your body tingles, and sometimes it's hard to breathe? Your parents know, but your Daddy is ill and your mama well...she prefers that it just not exist. As the only child, you are the one responsible for making sure everything around the claim is taken care of - so even though you're a girl, you can shoot straighter, track farther, and work harder than many boys your age. But then...danger comes calling, and in order to stay true to yourself, you have to become someone else and leave everything you've ever known.

This is the story of Leah Westfall, a 15-year-old girl from Georgia. The year is 1849, the gold "rush" in Georgia is tapped out, but everyone is talking about California being the next big thing. Wagon trains are leaving, sometimes several in one day. People are heading west, hoping to outrun their past, strike it rich, have their own land...the reasons are as varied as the people. Death stalks those wagon trains as well, in forms both surprising and not. In the middle of all of this, Leah learns who she is, and that family isn't always blood.

This is an unusual fantasy novel, in that there is actually very little typical fantasy. Cold, hard reality based on history is the majority, even though the main character has her own magic. The fact that this is the first in a planned trilogy is excellent, because it will be interesting to see where the author takes the story. I suppose it could be argued that history is its own magic, and in this case, that would be correct. The slight intertwining of the power that Leah has just emphasizes that even more.

As for the writing itself, it would appeal to young adult audiences, as well as adult. There are a few descriptions that are very blunt, but nothing sexual or crude - more to do with the everyday dangers faced on the trail. Depending on the audience, this book could be an excellent resource for a homeschooling unit, as well as just a great conversation-starter about the fascinating history encompassed by this period of time.

I will be looking forward to reading the second book in the series, and plan to share this one with my friends.