Olivia, Mourning: Book 1 of the Olivia Series - Yael Politis

Olivia, Mourning: Book 1 of the Olivia Series

By Yael Politis

  • Release Date: 2015-02-24
  • Genre: Historical Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 366 Ratings

Description

Olivia wants the 80 acres in far off Michigan that her father left to whichever of his offspring might choose to stake a claim to that land. As Olivia says, “I am sprung off him just as much as Avis or Tobey.”
The problem: she is seventeen, female, and it is 1841.
Her childhood friend Mourning Free knows how to work a farm and Olivia has complete trust in him.
The problem: he is the orphaned son of runaway slaves and reluctant to travel and work with a white girl. He especially fears the slave catchers who patrol the free states, hunting fugitive slaves.
Not without qualms, they set off together. All goes well, despite the drudgery of survival in an isolated log cabin. Incapable of acknowledging her feelings for Mourning, Olivia thinks her biggest problem is her unrequited romantic interest in their young, single neighbor.
Then her world falls apart.
Strong-willed, vulnerable, and compassionate, Olivia is a compelling protagonist on a journey to find a way to do the right thing in a world in which so much is wrong.

Awards
2010 YWO Book of the Year
2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, Quarter-Finalist
2015 One of the Historical Novel Society 7 Editors Choice Historical Novels
Library Journal included the Olivia Series in its curated selection of quality independent fiction.
Awesome Indies selected Olivia, Mourning for the Awesome Indies list of quality independent fiction.

Reviews
“Historical fiction at its best! ... a heartfelt story especially recommended for readers who enjoy headstrong protagonists tasked with making their own way in the world.”
--D. Donovan, Senior eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“This story is engaging from the outset. Beautifully written and thought provoking, the story of Olivia and her quest to better her life in a judgmental community in 1841 Pennsylvania is heart-rending. Olivia Killion is a girl who is ahead of her time, but with a backbone of steel. I warmed to her immediately, and loved the internal dialogue which clearly sets out her thoughts about her family and the community she lives in. I have given this story the highest points all round because of the caliber of the writing, the easy-to-warm-to voice telling the story, and the setting of time and place. A terrific read.” Valentina Hepburn, YouWriteOn Reviewer

4,200 Amazon ratings – 4.3 average This is what some of them said:

“I thoroughly enjoyed every word of this story. It is satisfying, engaging, and very special. I strongly recommend it, and cannot wait to read the next book.” Book Addict

“The writing is so beautiful and compelling. There is just enough detail about clothing, food, physical features, etc., that I can easily picture the people and their surroundings, and wish I could have a little of that fried venison myself. The descriptions of how Olivia feels at any given moment are so clear, and so believable.” Jajh

“What a wonderful book. As soon as I read a few pages, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. It is well written and the historical details are spot on. If you like historical fiction with a bit of romance and heartbreak thrown in, you will love this. There is a sequel to this book, and it is just as good.” Carolyn in Michigan

“It has been a while since I have been so surprised and delighted at what is, after all, a relatively simple story. Olivia, Mourning is very well-written but at the same time the book is not “polished” or “predictable” – it has different cadences, very real dialog, and is all in all a lot more like real-life than most big-house published fiction. But real life with people who, for the most part, you want to know and to spend time with and who have interesting lives that you want to know more about. I immediately bought the 2nd in the series.” Elizabeth Sommers

Reviews

  • Mourning

    5
    By SanOaks
    Couldn’t put it down, drew me in and held my attention . Wasn’t expecting some of the horrific events that occurred. Have to see if there are any silver lining to it for all of them. Next book please!
  • Gross

    1
    By judeph
    This is a disgusting book. What kind of pervert would write this!!!
  • OLIVIS, MOURNING

    3
    By Kcnjmg
    Love this book & the way it was written, wish I could read the next one in this series.⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Excellent!

    5
    By pa biker Hoss
    Compelling story. Could stop reading til the end.
  • Olivia mourning

    5
    By SõlkTy
    Very interesting book and keep your interest until the end
  • Olivia,Mourning

    5
    By CathrineSelena
    Outstanding, never wanted it to end, I felt part of it and the strength of Olivia, couldn’t put it down and in a minute will be getting book 2. Can’t wait, had there been more than five stars I would had gladly given more!
  • Olivia, Mourning

    5
    By Fan from AZ
    Unique story & characters, enjoyed very much!
  • Historical novel of Detroit MI area around the mid century mark 1800s

    5
    By jdt_s
    This is a trilogy of this family living in the Detroit area in the mid 1800s when it was still quite wild and forested. I got hooked on the story enough that I'm determined to buy the second and third installments just to find out what happens to these folks. The author is from the area also and appears to be a naturalist in some regard which I also find interesting. More about that as I read the sequels.
  • Olivia, Mourning

    5
    By scofic
    If you had more stars I would rate it a 10. The story and characters and plot were well done. I did not like the rape scene, but thank goodness the appropriate action was taken. ,Really excellent all around. I am looking foward, to reading all the books in this series. I live In Michigan, and not far from where the cabin was. I also am not far from the University of Michigan. My Great grandfather was at the University of Michigan, when this time line takes place. He lives on an island, belonging to the Indians. The story goes , he bought the Island from an Indian, for a horse with one eye. I should write my own story. A small world.
  • Olivia, Mourning

    5
    By PushpushStable
    This riveting book will leave you searching for the next in the series. The beautiful prose, descriptive passages and well written character development all add up to a first class read.

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