Step into the Garden of Eden and survey what God has made.  All of creation, perfect and brand new.  And amidst it all: the adam and Havah. 

The story of the Garden of Eden and The Fall is such an iconic tale that sometimes Adam and Eve can seem more like cardboard cutouts than real people who actually felt and lived and loved.  All of this changed with the novel Havah by Tosca Lee.  I'll admit, I was a little skeptical before reading this story.  I was afraid that it would be a cheesy Biblical story that puts Adam and Eve on to a pedestal like most other books of this genre, but I was shocked at the realism and questions behind this novel.  It was an amazing read. 

Summary-
Told from Eve's- or Havah's- point of view, Havah begins with the moment Havah first opens her eyes to God's murmur, "Wake!"  The rest of the novel unfolds in a whirlwind of beauty, turmoil, and temptation.  Explore the Garden of Eden through the fall of mankind.  Read about the births of Havah's children, of the murder of Hevel by Kayin.  Rea Havah's story as the first woman, first mother, and first human to ever sin.

What I Liked-
Although Havah is obviously fictional, I love all of the questions it raised.  Was the animal that God skinned a friend of Adam and Eve?  When Abel died, how did they even understand what death was?  How did Eve realize she was carrying a child... and what a child even was?

I also loved the personalization and human feel that Havah gave to Eve.  Eve is no longer a Renaissance painting of a two-dimensional Bible character in my mind.  She now feels like a real person who existed.  She felt fear, pain, joy, and love.  She was a real person, just like you and me.

What I Didn't Like-
Some theological aspects I did disagree with.  In Havah, Havah and Adam eat meat, when according to the Bible in Genesis 9:3, God did not give men meat for food until the time of Noah.  Similarly, Havah mentions rain, while I believe it did not rain until the time of the flood, after reading Genesis 7:11-12.

I Recommend This Book For-
I would recommend Havah for  PG-12 audience.  Sex is mentioned once or twice, although not in inappropriate detail whatsoever.  Havah is deep and intensely written, more of an adult book than a book for children or young teens.  Havah is great for those who love to delve into scripture and personalize Biblical characters.

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Tosca Lee is my new favorite female author after reading Havah; it was that good.  Havah is eloquently-written and beautiful in every way.  I could not stop talking about it for days.  If you love stunning and thought-provoking novels, then this book is for you.  

I first borrowed a copy of Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy at the library.  I was around twelve years old.  After reading the first few chapters, I was completely hooked.  I've read Bloody Jack multiple times since then.  Six years later, I would still consider it to be one of my favorite books of all times.  The eighth book in the Bloody Jack series has come out, so I'm reading through the entire series again.  I thought I would go ahead and review all of the Bloody Jack books and you can decide for yourself whether or not they are right for you.

Summary-
Jacky Faber is used to fighting for survival.  For an orphan on the streets of eighteenth-century London, every day starts with begging and ends with an empty stomach.  But now luck is finally on Jacky's side- a departing warship is taking on ship's boys, and Jacky jumps and the chance to pursue pirates and riches beyond imagination.  There's only one problem: Jacky is a girl.  And she will have to use every bit of her spirit, wit, and courage to keep the crew from discovering her secret.  This could be the adventure of her life- if only she doesn't get caught...

What I Liked-
I love the character development in Bloody Jack.  L.A. Meyer is a brilliant storyteller.  I also love how Bloody Jack captures so many genres in one novel: adventure, action, historical fiction, piracy, romance... really, everything you need for a good read.  Jacky is one of my favorite written characters of all times.  I could see us being great friends.  And I'm rooting for her through every adventure.

What I Didn't Like-
There are some cuss words in this novel.  Think of the term "sailor mouth" and you'll know what I mean, as this is a book about sailors.  In my personal copy of Bloody Jack, I've scribbled out every cuss word (mostly consisting words that most people wouldn't consider cuss words, but ones that I don't like, such as p!$$ and hell) so I don't have to read the words over again.  If you plan to read the book more than once, I would recommend doing that as well.  There are a few sexual insinuations throughout the novel and Jacky is nearly molested once.

I Recommend This Book For-
Anyone who likes adventure.  Any girl who hates her history being confined to a young lady in a prim and proper dress.  Anyone who simply likes a good, entertaining story.  I would definitely recommend this story for people over the age of fourteen, despite the age recommendation on the book that says "12 and up."  There are some mature themes in Bloody Jack and a few curse words as well, as I have discussed above. 

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Overall, I still love Bloody Jack, even after reading it more than ten times.  It will never cease to capture my interest.  I love Jacky and Jaimy and all of their adventures together.  I just love this story in general.  L.A. Meyer has definitely earned my approval as an excellent wordsmith and story teller. 

Despite a few "iffy" parts- which you should consider before purchasing the book- for a historical fiction young adult novel, I still recommend it to teens.