Everlasting
Gr 8-10–In 1855, it is not proper for a young lady to sail on a trade ship, but 17-year-old Camille Rowen, raised by her "widowed" ship captain father, is allowed great freedom. The two embark on a last voyage, from San Francisco to Australia, before Camille marries a rich man to save her father's shipping business. Camille discovers that her father has been lying to her: her mother is alive, although gravely ill, in Port Adelaide. The woman is in possession of a treasure map that leads to a magical stone. When a fierce storm sinks the ship and kills Captain Rowen, she and a sailor for whom she has strong feelings are rescued and taken ashore in Australia. Frazier has created terrific, if slightly anachronistic, characters; they are feisty, strong, caring, smarmy, slick, dashing, and dastardly. The plot takes off with the ship and doesn't look back. The sailing tale turns into a treasure hunt with dark overtones and mysterious magical elements that never get in the way of the action. Frazier's descriptions are beautiful: the wild roiling of the ship in the storm, the oppressive closeness of a tiny room in hot weather, the strange beauty of the Australian outback all come to vivid life. This is a strong and charming debut.Geri Diorio, The Ridgefield Library, CT© Copyright 2010.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.