Like a River Glorious audiobook

4.5 starsLike a River Glorious, Rae Carson’s fifth novel and the second book in her Gold Seer trilogy, cements her status as one of the best, most reliable authors of YA fiction. Her long string of literary successes without a single glitch shows us that we can indeed trust an author to always deliver and constantly stay at the top of her game.Walk on Earth a Stranger left Lee and her friends finally in California, trying to find a good settlement and put down roots. The losses they’d suffered along the way left an indelible mark on all of them. Some are strong enough to recover, and some decide that safety is more valuable than any amount of gold. Those who remain, Lee and Jefferson among them, are a tight-knit group, practically a family, and only the danger caused by Lee’s powers has the ability to tear them apart.As a non-American, I didn’t know much about the fate of Native Americans during California Gold Rush. The abhorrent treatment shown in this book might be a bit exaggerated, but likely not by much. Lee has to face a very ugly reality in her uncle’s mine, both towards Native American and the Chinese. With Jeff and Tom by her side, she has to move past sympathizing and come up with a way to save not only herself, but all those slaves as well.Leah’s witchy ability to sense gold is explored more and constantly developed in this book. She grows along with it and becomes braver and more open about what she can do. It’s a dangerous secret, but Lee and Jefferson finally have a large family to share it with, people they can trust to always have their backs, even when the risk is too great for them all. Henry and Tom, two of our “confirmed bachelors”, play a more important role in this book. Their relationship could be considered queerbaiting if not for the historical context. As it is, theirs is a kind of don’t ask, don’t tell situation, but I’m hoping for a more open approach in the final book, at least among the folks in Glory. If they can handle a witchy girl who can sense gold, they can surely handle two gay men being a bit less discreet about their relationship.The book has a brilliant, well-rounded ending that could be quite enough for most readers, even without the final part of the trilogy. Knowing a third book is coming makes me equal parts excited and afraid for Lee and her people at Glory, California. Apparently there’s still a difficult road ahead of her and with the way things are going, the final part might just be the best of them all.

Ok, I need book three right now! I cannot wait to go pick it up this week. I was not expecting to be as enthralled as I am with this series. It is fascinating. I have seen reviews where a problem seems to be the inaccuracy on American History but that doesn't bother me because honestly I do not go looking for accurate facts in a fiction book. Authors take creative liberties in fiction. If I wanted to make sure I am getting facts on the Gold Rush of California I will go read The Age of Gold: The California Gold Rush and the New American Dream (which yes, I do plan to do at some point). Overall, I am so loving this series and cannot wait to go pick up the final book this week. Heck, I may just go ahead and pick up Age of Gold and get a fiction and then nonfiction fix!

Loved it! I have a special fondness for stories of the Californian Gold Rush and this was a very well done one. We definitely see a bit more of Leah’s ‘witchiness’ as she calls it, but this is essentially an excellent work of historical fiction. Hiram Westfall makes the perfect villain! If you enjoyed the first in the series (and I know some were disappointed by the lack of fantasy elements), then you’ll love this too.

4.5 starsIntense, exciting, and downright brutal at times, this was a page-turning follow-up to Walk on Earth a Stranger. The story picks up right where the last book left off, but just because the group has arrived in California, doesn't mean their troubles are over. They have to deal with claim-jumpers, overly curious neighbours, and of course, Leah's wretched uncle Hiram.The book doesn't pull any punches about how horribly the Native Americans of California were treated during this period. I'll be honest, there were parts that were difficult to read. Carson does explain in her author's notes why her portrayal of Mary is understated--she says she did not want to play into the common trope of sexualizing Asian women in media--although it's pretty clear what is happening and that it isn't Mary's choice. It didn't need to be more explicit to transmit the utter distastefulness of the whole situation. As before, Carson did a great job of showing how much Leah suffered because she was a woman, while also showing how much worse it was for others not insulated by the privilege of being white and somewhat moneyed.A really satisfying read that has me picking up the last book in the trilogy right away.

I still don't appreciate the romance in this but the story is remarkable and interesting.

Wow! Like a River Glorious was simply put … glorious! I’m in complete awe of what Rae Carson has crafted with this series. If you thought Walk on Earth a Stranger was a good story, wait until you pick up this sequel that surpassed every monumental expectation that I have. It’s official, I’m obsessed with this series.Leah Westfall is probably the fiercest and most badass character I have ever come across in a YA series. And I’m not saying just physically. It was clear from the first book that Leah was a strong-willed and brave girl, especially after she found her parents dead bodies and traveled over the Oregon Trail to reach California. Here, she was even stronger and I didn’t realize that was even possible. Rae Carson constantly tested Leah, with the threats of her Uncle Hiram looming throughout the book, but she was so resilient faced every obstacle with a courage that not many people possess. Lee is the sort of heroine that will inspire readers, young and old, as she navigates the dangers of the Gold Rush era.Thankfully, Lee is no longer alone. She’s found herself an incredible group of people to call her family. Rae Carson does a wonderful job with these characters, making each and everyone of them rich, complex and layered. The kinship that they’ve formed with each other, despite being from such diverse backgrounds, was beautiful to watch develop even further in Like a River Glorious. These are characters that will stay with you long after you finish the book. I also can’t forget Lee’s slow-burn romance with her friend, Jeff. I love how these two were always there for each other no matter what. It’s hard not to root for these two because they are so sweet together, and pretty much the perfect complements.One reason why I think this series is unique and refreshing is its setting of the Old West. Rae Carson has a simple, yet vivid writing. The descriptiveness of her writing is in the little things. Here, I particularly loved the scenes in the gold mines and of Leah and her group building their small town in California. I was so invested in the story that I almost felt like I was there along with these characters. We also see some real life historical issues such as slavery and discrimination, especially when it came to the Chinese and the Native Americans at Hiram’s camp. Violence and death plagued that camp, and it was hard to stomach at times, but I have to hand it to Rae Carson for showing those realities in a harsh, yet raw way. We also get to know more about Lee’s gold-sensing powers in this installment, and while we don’t have all the background yet, it was enough to satisfy me.I’m thrilled with how this series has evolved over the course of these two books. While Like a River Glorious ended on a positive and hopeful note with no cliffhanger, I’m still eager to get my hands on the final book in the Gold Seer Trilogy and to be back with one of my favorite ensemble cast.

Reread in October 2017--------------------Like a River Glorious is definitely one of my most anticipated reads of 2016. I read Walk on Earth a Stranger last year, and really, really enjoyed the unique and captivating story, and I was dying to know what was going to happen next for Leah and her crew. This sequel was great, and I'm thrilled to add it to my collection!Leah has been a character that I have loved since I first met her in Walk on Earth a Stranger. She's such a strong, well written young lady, and I swear her character just grows more and more as the story goes along. And not just as a person, but with her ability as well, which is just amazing. She's definitely a fave character of mine, as are SO many of the secondary characters in the story. There are a LOT of them, and I really love them all!Even though this book is 400+ pages, I devoured it in just a few hours time. It seriously felt like I was flying through the pages, and I just couldn't get enough of it. Unfortunately I do not have any other books in my collection that are set in the same time period as this book, or have the same setting. That needs to be fixed, because both are completely fascinating, and leave me wanting more. Although, as with a lot of our history, there were some things in the story that made me sad, and ANGRY. The sexism towards women made me rage, but it was the treatment of Chinese immigrants and Native American's that was completely horrific and heartbreaking. I cannot imagine living during this time period. At all. And not only because of this treatment, which is bad enough, I'm just not sure I could survive the hardships that these people faced. I'm glad there are people willing to tell us the story, so that we will know, and never forget. Overall; Like a River Glorious is a wonderful sequel to Walk on Earth a Stranger! I'm not even more excited to get my hands on the third book, which is going to release in 2017! THAT is a book that I will be preordering as soon as possible. If you've not yet read this series, and are curious about the Gold Rush time period, you should definitely check out The Gold Seer Trilogy!! Happy Reading!

4.5-5 starsI have SO much love for this series. And for Jefferson (OMG SWOON). And especially for Leah. It will be a long wait for the last book!

RTC!

Now that Leah and company have made it out West to the land of gold and opportunity everything should be easy, right? Well not really, first you have to find some good land with gold on it. Not too hard with Leah on your side since she is a witchy girl and can sense gold. Next you just have to figure out how to keep said land from claim jumpers. Not as easy, as California is a place with few laws and many unscrupulous men. “Bad men are never all bad, and good men are never all good, and it makes it hard to know up from down.” Leah has found the spot but then it seems her uncle has found her and he hasn’t given up on the idea that she belongs with him. Just when life is starting to settle on their claim Leah ends up in the grip of her uncle and needs to find a way to get herself and a few of her friends home.Man, this book was sad and harsh. I’m sure that things like this happened in this time in history and some of it was just so sad. Leah’s uncle stole Indians to work in his mine and barely fed them, treated them as less then people. The prejudices and injustices were really horrid. The time with Leah’s uncle was hard, I wanted to burn him and all of his men with fire. Almost everyone deserved a brutal death that ran that mine.But in the midst of all the trouble there are bright points. Leah and Jefferson are finding a way into each other’s hearts after growing up and being best friends all their lives. Jeff is adorable in his devotion to Leah and no matter the circumstance he always had a smile the lit up his eyes every time he saw her. He just needs to find a way to convince her that marrying him isn’t akin to giving up everything she is. “I think you’d better stay extra alert tonight.”“Okay.”“I’m serious, Jeff. Someone snuck up on both Hampton and Martin, and neither of them are shirkers.”He grins. “You’re worried for me, aren’t you?”“Course I am.”“Know what I think?”I scowl at him, which only widens his grin.He steps closer, puts a hand to my chin, and lifts it so I can’t avoid his gaze. “I think you’re in love with me,” he says.I stare at his lips. What comes out of my mouth is: “Jefferson McCauley Kingfisher, you have the swagger of a rooster and the swelled head of a melon.” Leah’s past is full a few mysteries and while I’m not sure we’ll ever discover them all it was good to get some insight into the dynamic between her Mom, Dad and uncle and why he is so set on keeping her.I liked a few of the new characters that we meet in this book. From Tug and the boys to Mary and the big silent guy. I few people are gems in the wilderness. I liked where the book ended but it was really dark at times and I wasn’t sure how many people we might lose along the way.Time to finish the journey though and I’m onto the final book in the series.

Rae Carson is one of my favorite authors for the amazingness that is Girl of Fire and Thorns, which still holds the spot as the best YA Fantasy I’ve ever read. The Goldseer series, so far, has many of the same attributes that set GOFT above the rest:◾Strong heroines who are endearingly atypical and always feel like real people.◾Beautiful, immersive writing that will totally transport you.◾Enough magic to drive the plot without being the sole focus.◾Gut-wrenching moments that will Tear. Out. Your. Heart.In fact, even more so than GOFT, the Goldseer Trilogy will hit you left and right with horrible injustices (some which make me so mad I could spit). Carson really understands conflicts and how to put her characters through hell. To be honest, it was so well done that I wondered on several occasions how I was able to enjoy the story while hating it at the same time. It never ceased to evoke emotion and make me feel engaged.As far as the magic goes, Like a River Glorious had more magic than the first book, but not enough for me to feel confident recommending it as a fantasy verses a historical fiction. I’ve always been of the mindset that the more magic, the better, but I still enjoyed the book for all the other elements. It’s one of those stories written so well that it’ll appeal to readers of multiple genres. I’ve read a little criticism of the supposed historical inaccuracies in this book, but as someone who remembers only what I was taught in grade school about the gold rush, it was realistic enough for me. I thought she did a great job transporting me to this era and, let’s face it, I didn’t pick it up for a history lesson… Even so, the criticisms surprises me because Carson acknowledges at the back of the book that she had to take some creative liberties to streamline her story. Anyway, Like a River Glorious was a strong sequel that could have satisfied me as a series-ender, but there’s still one book yet to come. I can’t figure out what it will entail, and find the prospect (no pun intended) of discovery really enticing. It’s a damn shame it’s going to be a year before it comes out!Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com

Ah! Glorious!Carson is doing a wonderful job of bringing the Gold Rush to life. The details are amazing, and it's the perfect combination of fact and fiction and magic. Now in California to stake their claims, Leah Westfall and her friends encounter claim jumpers, the enslavement of the local Native Americans as well as the Chinese, and the continued threat from her uncle. You can see and smell and even taste Lee's world in this book, and I loved it. I can't wait for the next one!

I love this series so far! I could read about what Lee experiences for days.