The Snowflake By: Jamie Carie
Author, Jamie Carie, captures the warmth of a holiday and time period all in one novella, The Snowflake (B&H Publishing Group). Set in 1897, Ellen Pierce and her mentally challenged and at times, abusive, brother, Jonah, are determined to reach the Alaskan Gold Rush. It’s the dream of so many from this time period. Visions of Gold that block the reality of the unimaginable elements and obstacles that can diminish all hope.
Carie writes in great detail making it easy to become part of this book. I found myself crying and cheering along with the characters. I’ve long believed that love and fear are two of the most potent motivators for a person and this book illustrates this beautifully!book. I found myself crying and cheering along with the characters. I’ve long believed that love and fear are two of the most potent motivators for a person and this book illustrates this beautifully!
Much of the book had me reflecting on The Call of the Wild with the setting and compass of the characters thoughts. Carie provided enough twists and turns in the plot to make this story her own and become more of a Holiday Classic that leaves the reader feeling warm.
This is a novella and yet the characters are developed enough to give us that innate human feeling that when we are struggling and finding ourselves reflecting poor thoughts, our hearts yearn for a different life. One where we don’t feel trapped and alone. Carie depicts these emotions and uses them to evolve into courage.
Carie gives this book added warmth by incorporating the Christmas theme into this book and Christians will love the message of God, though it’s not so poignant to exclude non-Christians from this story.
I loved this story and the characters and thought it was shameful that it was a novella and not expanded into a novel. At 209 pages there were places where I would have liked to have experienced more with the characters and some of the story line seemed fleeting far too soon for it to really build upon the story. As I became part of this book I felt the author missed the beauty of her title, The Snowflake, and the opportunity to share the message of the unique and beautiful character of each snowflake relating to individuals. This being said, when I read the last page and realized it was concluded, I found myself saying, “What? I want more!” That’s a sign of a great book for me.
Jamie Carie also authored, “Love’s First Light” and “Angels Den” both of which I believe reflect her writing ability degrees higher than The Snowflake. Even so, I was not disappointed in the story line, the characters or the message of her newest release.
The Snowflake, A Novella, by Jamie Carie was released October 1, 2010. It’s available through Amazon.com and local book retailers.
I received The Snowflake in order to facilitate an honest review. No other compensation was received. The opinions are my own and were in no way influenced by the sponsor. Others experience may vary.