Jackaroo   by Cynthia Voigt

March 2004     A Christmas gift from my loving, book-addict Mother.

A tale of a tavern master's daughter, and a zoro styled country legend. This was well thought out, and convincing in most places. Each plot twist worked. The writing style was nothing special, but still noteworthy: Some of the things felt beyond me. The philosophical and/or psychological dialogues which were left incomplete... could not be completed by my mind. The advice the old highwayman gave (half gave) was not clear to me. There were other parts as well, that I couldn't see as fitting in with the whole ... work; it wasn't clear to me what they contributed to the characters or the development. When our heroine saw the hanged man, Why was that so important to her? I can see one way that it fits into the story, but... It doesn't have a natural place there, for me.

The setting of this book was enjoyable. "Vivid" could be used. I loved the rustic life, and the rustic characters with it, and the kingdom. And the Winter was so convincing, I felt it in my bones, and had to remind myself to wear less clothes when going out; It Was bitterest winter in my mind, and not the fresh start of spring.

I would read more by this author, if I came across her works.