Walk On Earth

Description:

Gold is in my blood, in my breath, even in the flecks in my eyes.

Lee Westfall has a strong, loving family. She has a home she loves and a loyal steed. She has a best friend—who might want to be something more.

She also has a secret.

Lee can sense gold in the world around her. Veins deep in the earth. Small nuggets in a stream. Even gold dust caught underneath a fingernail. She has kept her family safe and able to buy provisions, even through the harshest winters. But what would someone do to control a girl with that kind of power? A person might murder for it.

When everything Lee holds dear is ripped away, she flees west to California—where gold has just been discovered. Perhaps this will be the one place a magical girl can be herself. If she survives the journey.

The acclaimed Rae Carson begins a sweeping new trilogy set in Gold Rush-era America, about a young woman with a powerful and dangerous gift. 

My review:

“It turns out that a girl with all the friends in the world is still lonely when she’s keeping secrets. My” 
― Rae Carson, Walk on Earth a Stranger

Not what I expected. Secrets yes……but not an epic journey on horse and wagon through the land west of the Mississippi in a disguise. If you enjoy those old pioneer movies, then this is your book to transport you into the time period of the Gold Rush.

“I’d rather be treated with respect than treated like a lady.” Hampton” 
― Rae Carson, Walk on Earth a Stranger.

The main character in this story, Lee Westfall, flees from her uncle who took everything she owned after her parents were found murdered. Bravely she gathers her things together and finds a way to disguise herself to leave her town. Her good friend had just left days before and offered to take her along, but she declined. Realizing she made a mistake in not going with him, she ventures out to find him, following his earlier proposed plan of route to go out West to strike it rich. What nobody but her parents knew, is that she can sense gold when it is around her and with a hidden gold stash to buy her way passage, she starts her journey where she encounters thieves, immigrants, Christians, slaves, runaways, hardworking folk and fools.

“The hymn echoes in my head while I ready our wagon to leave. I’ve never felt so far from God’s grace. I suppose I am a stranger walking on earth, but I’m no son of God. I’m no son at all.” 
― Rae Carson, Walk on Earth a Stranger

Lee is a very strong young lady, but will she find her way and her friend in California? Or will she be found by her uncle before she reaches that hope of a new start?

***

This book is categorized in Young Adult Historical Fiction Fantasy. And I want to say, it has its strongest draw to the historical side of things. That is definitely the part I did not expect nor seek (did I just say that? I am all about historical things). I went into it thinking, a little light fantasy to fill the gaps till my next read. I was very surprised to find rich, deep characters and dialogue. And the story building! I mean, you are practically on this trail for most of the book but yet so much happens. There are tough hardships and moments of joy. Everything is richly painted for the reader to get engulfed in this era. 

If you are looking for an action packed, loud and nonstop adrenaline kind of YA book, then this is not for you. As a fact, it hardly feels YA at all. If you enjoy a subtle, deeper, heart rendering kind of story with a little magic, then yes. Definitely give it a try. I enjoyed it and will give the next book in this trilogy a try.