SBT12: Guest Review: Under the Same Sky by Genevieve Graham

Southern Book Tour 2012

 
Today, one of my favorite bloggers is stopping by to share a review of Genevieve Graham’s Under the Same Sky.  Asheley writes some awesome reviews on her blog, Into the Hall of Books.  Check out her review below, check out her blog, and come back tomorrow for a Guest Post and Giveaway with author, Genevieve Graham.
 

The year is 1746. A young woman from South Carolina and a Scottish Highlander share an intimacy and devotion beyond their understanding. They have had visions of each other their entire lives. And yet they have never met.

Now, with their lives torn asunder, Maggie Johnson and Andrew MacDonnell's quest to find each other is guided only by their dreams—and by the belief in the true love they share.

On the Carolina frontier Maggie Johnson’s family struggles to survive. Maggie’s gift of “the sight” and her visions show her a presence she calls Wolf. She watches him grow from a boy her age to a man even as she goes from child to woman.

Andrew MacDonald has always wondered about the girl he sees in his dreams. He is able to talk to her through their thoughts and vows that even if he must cross an ocean he will find her. They are thrust into different situations: Andrew fights for the doomed Jacobite cause and Maggie is captured by slavers, then rescued and brought into a kind, loving Native American tribe. They each believe in destiny and the power of the love they have shared forever. -(summary from Goodreads.com)

Under the Same Sky by Genevieve Graham
 
My Thoughts:  I love to read books that are rich in characters and setting. I completely lucked out with Under the Same Sky. Not only are ALL of the characters absolutely amazing, but the setting - well, both of the settings - are lush and perfect. To top it off, half of the book is set in the Carolinas, and I'm a Carolina girl myself. When I heard about this one, I had to read it and you guys, before I even get started I'm gonna just recommend it to you ALL.
 
Why do you need to read Under the Same Sky?
 
1. The characters are fantastic.
Maggie Johnson has "the Sight." She can see the future and find things that are lost or hidden. When she is young, she begins to see a boy in her dreams - Andrew - and they communicate with each other for years, wordlessly, while they begin to form a bond that grows from a slow friendship into a romance.

Andrew also has "the Sight."  He loves seeing the girl in his visions and dreams - Maggie - and dreams of the day when he can finally meet her. After fighting a war that takes the lives of his entire family and destroys his farm, Andrew decides that he needs to leave Scotland and search for this girl. He can't stop thinking about her.

2. The story is unique.
Sure, I've heard of historical romance - but this has a twist. The paranormal element to the story makes it something special, something different than I've ever read before. 
 
The magic that allows Maggie and Andrew to see each other in their visions and dreams is a real treat. It is even cooler when you consider that Maggie and Andrew are on two separate continents, separated by an entire ocean! Further, the older that Maggie and Andrew become, the magic seems to become stronger. In other words, while they can only communicate wordlessly as young people, eventually they are able to speak and to touch briefly in their visions. 
 
As a fan of the paranormal and romance genres but someone who is relatively new to the historical fiction genre, I love the way these blended together. Very interesting! 
 
3. The settings are amazing.
The two settings written into Under the Same Sky - South Carolina and the Scottish Highlands - are both lush and vivid. The author goes into great detail to paint a picture so the reader isn't only reading a story on a page - she wanted us to travel along with her characters. I am a huge fan of setting, so this was wildly important to me. 
 
As a North Carolina girl, I loved the South Carolina setting. It was comfortable and familiar, and it felt like home despite the 1700's time period. As for the Scottish Highlands setting - I was completely taken in by the countryside described, even though parts of it were ravaged and wartorn. It still sounded amazing and beautiful to me. 
 
Southern Friends, this book is a winner. As if I haven't given you enough reason to read Under the Same Sky, the writing was beautiful and the romance was perfection. Genevieve Graham has a style that is lovely and breathtaking, and I became a fan within the first chapter. The romance between Maggie and Andrew wasn't quick and forced; rather, it was slow and authentic. I am thrilled to say that I am not-so-patiently waiting for the next book to be released in May of this year and I will be devouring it with the same ferocity that I did this one. 
 

Under the Same Sky will appeal to fans of: 

Historical Fiction/Historical Romance with Paranormal/Magic

Slowly-Developing Romance with No Love Triangle

Multiple POV

Rich Setting: Scottish Highlands, America/South Carolina

Under the Same Sky by Genevieve Graham is currently available for purchase. 
 
**I received a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest opinion and review. I received no compensation for my thoughts. Thank you SO MUCH Genevieve and Berkley Trade! 

About the blogger

My name is Asheley. I'm a wife and mother to a very busy family. My job is to take care of them but I read as much as I can. I read adult, young adult, and middle grade fiction. I love dystopian, apocalyptic, fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and literary fiction but will occasionally read other titles that spark my interest.

Thank you, Asheley, for sharing your thoughts with us!

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for a Guest Post and Giveaway for Under the Same Sky!