1950 New Orleans. Josie Moraine, daughter of a brothel prostitute, wants out of the French Quarter. After meeting someone from Smith College in MA, she dreams of going to college. However, after a suspenseful death of a visitor to New Orleans, Josie is questioned by the police and is left trying to figure out for herself just what happened. Her mother is neglectful, and wrapped up in an abusive relationship with a dangerous man. Ruta Sepetys' writing is superb - her characters are multi-dimensional with a well-paced plot that will keep readers guessing. This was an excellent book. It's also on this year's NH Flume Awards list, so teens should take it in before voting in April. 3.5 stars. I read this in one day - the story is really compelling, and the characters are fun. I felt completely immersed in the world of 1940's New Orleans. But I take issue with this being marketed as a YA book - it's the story of a 17-year-old girl whose mother is a prostitute. The narrator's job is to clean the brothel each morning, and bring her findings (jewelry, money, bullets) to the house madam. There's a kind-of who-done-it plot, and another sub-plot is pretty predictable, but I liked it all the same.
What do You think about Potrhaná Křídla (2014)?
Quick easy historical fiction read -- loved the first line --"My mother's a prostitute."
—uka
a quick read with good characteriazation and decent story but lacked depth.
—brandymdavis
