Daughters of the Sea #1: Hannah (1)

I ordered this book for my teenager and since she is the one who read it, I am letting her write the review for it: Hannah was an incredible, and unique story. I really enjoyed how Kathryn Lasky added the character of Lila. Her strangeness and wicked personality added an eerie feeling to the novel. And giving her a cat only made her character have more sinister edge. One of the few things that I did not like was the way Hannah acted. Her character is age fifteen, but she acts like a eleven year old. The setting was stunning. Placing the Hawley's estate in Boston gave the setting a modern touch. Furthermore the house has an elegant style, like the early eighteen hundreds. I also love the character of Ettie. Even with her upscale family, she still wants to be the girl that runs that is not afraid to get her dress dirty. I adore how she almost immediately becomes friends with Hannah. She completely ignores the fact that she is her scullery maid and loves her for who she is. I thought it was awesome that Ettie thought that because Hannah was her scullery maid, that Hannah wouldn't like her. Overall Hannah was a satisfying novel and I look forward to reading the following sequels to Hannah in the Daughters of the Sea Series.

The cover of this book is mesmerizing, with a young girl waist-deep in water that looks like dawn is just breaking and a storm is setting down. There is an air of mystery about the girl on the cover, just like the main character in the book, Hannah. Hannah is an orphan in Boston who has turned 15 and, therefore, has passed the age of residency at the home. Because she is a strong character who asks questions (and maybe a wee bit clumsy), she has been told that she is unsuitable to work in a shop or one of the fancy homes in the Boston area. She gets put upon the `orphan train' going to Kansas, and the further she gets from the sea, the more her body reacts. She develops a rash. She can't eat. She can't sleep. Her skin seems to be flaking off with every passing mile from the sea. Because she is an orphan, when doctors want to observe her, she can't give any family or medical history. In the end she escapes by telling her foster parents that she has a calling and that calling is in Boston, where she has come from. Being good Christians, they allow her to leave, not wanting to get in the way of her calling. As she heads back East, she gains strength with each passing mile, until the salty air of Boston Harbor has restored her completely. This coming-of-age story is beautifully written, and as Hannah works hard as scullery maid in a wealthy household, she begins to define herself by her work and her work ethic in the household. The character development of the family with its three daughters with very distinct personalities, the servants and the `downstairs life' of which Hannah is a part, and the mysterious painter who has been commissioned to work with the family is solid and allows the plot to evolve so that the reader is completely engaged. I felt like Hannah's identity crisis of who she was as an orphan and who she is to this day was accurate for the intended age group of 9-12 year olds. In this story, she doesn't let herself imagine her real parents will come along and save her, as the other girls at the orphanage did. She has a very practical worldview and works each day to be a good servant, even though she has a streak of curiosity that she keeps tabs on, for fear of losing her job. The book ends with a promise of something more, and this being the first in a series, I think readers will not be disappointed by the story of "Daughters of the Sea."

From the very first page to the last, Kathryn Lasky has done it again! Mystery, suspense, chills and romance are weaved into the tale of Hannah, a young girl of 15 years old who discovers she's very different from the people around her. She longs for something deep within her but can't quite put her finger on it. She knows it has something to do with the sea because to be away from it means sickness and possible death. The story opens in Boston with Hannah as a ward in an orphanage. The Headmistress is handing out work orders for each of the girls that have come of age (14 in the book). Feeling she is worthless and odd, the headmistress places Hannah on the orphan train bound for Kansas. As Hannah travels further and further from the sea, she becomes very ill. She is rescued by a kindly older couple who quickly realize that Hannah needs to be sent back to the orphanage in Boston. Once in Boston, she is placed as a scullery maid for an eccentric family. The family has three daughters: one a bookworm (Clarice), one a tomboy (Ettie) and one the creepy scary kind (Lila) that makes you want to sleep with a nightlight. Hannah quickly finds an enemy in the oldest, Lila, who is described in the book as "demonic" with an equally demonic cat. She finds a wonderful defender and great friend in the youngest, Clarice. A good portion of the story is spent building the relationship between Hannah and her fellow servants, while intermixing a few clues throughout the pages. Then, an Artist is hired to paint a portrait of the three daughters. Once the Artist steps into the picture, the book takes off into the world of romance, suspense and self-discovery. I found that I could not put the book down until the very last page was read. This is definitely a wonderful page turner for all ages. Once you purchase it, find the perfect place for a comfortable and lengthy read. You will not be disappointed!

Hannah has grown up in an orphanage, the Boston Home for Little Wanderers, at the end of the 19th century. When she turns 15 she is sent to Kansas to work, but a strange and devastating illness forces her return to Boston, where she is employed by the wealthy Hawley family as a maid. The oldest daughter of family, Lila, is mean and rude to Hannah (along with her strangely intelligent cat, Jade), but Hannah comes to love the youngest daughter, Ettie, and develops a strong bond with her. But there's something different and strange about Hannah. Her skin sheds salt, and she cries crystal teardrops, which she collects in a small pouch. In fact, she realizes that she's actually a mermaid. But when a painter comes to produce a portrait of the 3 daughters, he seems to understand Hannah better than she does. My ten year old daughter absolutely loved this book. The day after it had arrived she had finished it already, and is now eagerly awaiting the next book of this trilogy, which will continue with the stories of Hannah's sisters which were separated at birth by a storm. The historical context, the romance with Stannish the painter, the conflict with Lila all added up to a book she simply couldn't put down (and she insists that it is a 5 star book!).

Bearing in mind that this book is aimed at 'young adult' level (though it would be enjoyable for any age), it is as superb an example of literature for that age group as I have seen in decades. Elements of the characterisation and plot cover a wide scope. The fantasy element does not dominate the plot - in fact, much of the action is not centred on Hannah's identity as a mermaid at all. It incorporates rich elements of coming to maturity and self-awareness, and this is set off not only by Hannah's experience but that of the others, whether of her own class or amongst upper class Bostonians. The depiction of life, as it was for the wealthy and servants at various levels, around the turn of the 20th century is enlightening. The writing style is excellent. Unlike many books in recent years (whether aimed at the young or anyone else), it contains a richness of vocabulary which is outstanding - and, if a few readers need to look up some words, it is nice to recall that that was considered important until a decade ago. Descriptions of locale, setting, emotions, and such details as clothing and furnishings of the era are vivid and engaging, without being repetitive or ponderous. This book is far above many popular novels in the fantasy genre, in that themes are stronger than imaginary elements. In fact, Hannah would have much to teach us about confidence, maturity, insight and the like were she not a mermaid at all. The author captures what masters of the folk tale, legend, and fantasy genre expressed well, but few remember today - that use of such characters as mermaids are incidental to the underlying truths.