Thundersnow, my five star review.

This is really good. I just reviewed it.

This review is from: Thundersnow: In the Shadow of the Cedar, Book One (Paperback)
 I was asked if I would read and review this book, and I'm so glad I did. I found it fascinating, although at times painful, as I suffered abuse in my own childhood.
Not wishing to be picky, but a couple of things did distract me. I hasten to add...not enough to put me off.
The novel is written in first person which took me by surprise, but once I got used to it, I soon found myself deeply immersed in Sarah Jane's character. But there were times when I lost track of who was speaking. And for characters thoughts, my personal preference is for them to be in italics. That said, `Thundersnow' is brilliant!
 I'm English and live in the UK. Nevertheless, I know a bit about the great depression from what we learned at school. But reading this gave me a greater understanding of the hardships people went through at this time, especially in parts of America.
Fourteen year old Sarah Jane and her family live on a farm. Life is tough and it's a struggle to make ends meet. To make matters worse Sarah Jane's mother is hard and abusive towards her.
Her father and four year old brother Zeke are the only ones who show her any love. But when Sarah Jane's beloved father dies, things with her mother take a serious turn for the worse, and Sarah Jane must protect herself and little Zeke.
I loved Sarah Jane; she is so brave and loyal. Actually, there's not a character in the book that won't leave a mark on the reader, for whatever reason. The story is so well written, and brutally honest. Thundersnow [in the Shadow of the Cedar] is a story that will remain with me always. Of that I'm sure.
The author Sheila Hollinghead has written a gem, and I eagerly await her next novel.