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Circle and Cross #1
[If I Fall (Circle and Cross)] [Author: Reber, Kelseyleigh] [June, 2013]
History never changes. It repeats. It errs. It lies. After all, it lied about her. She knew it was only a matter of time. She knew the Radicals would come. But knowing never seems to make it any less sudden. Even as the war raged on, Elvira Hamilton was sure she was safe—safe in her little village, safe in her garden, safe under the canopy of stars. That is, until the Radicals, fueled by their desire for a pure human race, set out to eradicate those with the powers that branded them as unnatural and the Marked. When the Radicals attack one fateful night, Elvira and her sister must escape, leaving their parents still caught in the struggle. With the war raging in England, they only have one Flee to America with the other refugees. The only problem is, they are not refugees, and they are not supposed to leave. As stowaways on the RMS Celtic, the sisters embark on a precarious journey to America, only to find the strong bonds of lust pulling the strings of right and wrong. Handsome and avidly curious, Mr. Laurence makes Elvira question everything she once believed about the secrets she holds so dear to her heart. Should she tell him the truth and risk being handed over to the Radicals, or should she continue to lie, risking the loss of his trust and friendship along with everything else?
Paperback
First published November 30, 2011
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About the author
Kelseyleigh Reber
2Ìýbooks39ÌýfollowersKelseyleigh Reber is the author of If I Fall and If I Resist, the first two installments in the Circle & Cross Trilogy. She lives in Pennsylvania with her family where her favorite room remains her bedroom turned library. Having loved reading and creating the written word since she was a small girl, Kelseyleigh is a self-professed bibliophile with a passion for both the fantastical and historical. She also has a strong passion for chocolate, but that book has yet to be written.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 13, 2012
This book was fantastic. I can't even begin on how action packed it was. When I was reading it I assumed that the action at the beginning of the novel would be it but I was wrong.
Elvira and Dela Hamilton just make it out of their village when the Radicals attack it. The price they had to pay was their house being burned down and their parents being left behind. Both of them have to leave England as soon as possible before the Radicals find and kill them. Elvira and Dela both have a Mark on their wrist that enables them to have special powers which labels them as Marked. Elvira, at sixteen, still hasn't presented a power and it frustrates her since her twelve year old sister Dela has already developed one. They both sneak onto a ship en route to America where they will hopefully be reunited with their parents and will be free from the raging war between the Radicals and the Marked. When Elvira leaves her hiding spot to find food for herself and Dela she gets caught stealing and takes off just to run into Adam Laurence. Adam ends up saving Elvira from being thrown off the ship and from that moment on the two of them develop a connection. Their connection mixed with what Elvira and Dela really are along with the battle between the Radicals and Marked mix into a noxious but ideal combination on the ship. The suspense skyrockets from there where it continues all the way to the last page.
Elvira and Dela Hamilton just make it out of their village when the Radicals attack it. The price they had to pay was their house being burned down and their parents being left behind. Both of them have to leave England as soon as possible before the Radicals find and kill them. Elvira and Dela both have a Mark on their wrist that enables them to have special powers which labels them as Marked. Elvira, at sixteen, still hasn't presented a power and it frustrates her since her twelve year old sister Dela has already developed one. They both sneak onto a ship en route to America where they will hopefully be reunited with their parents and will be free from the raging war between the Radicals and the Marked. When Elvira leaves her hiding spot to find food for herself and Dela she gets caught stealing and takes off just to run into Adam Laurence. Adam ends up saving Elvira from being thrown off the ship and from that moment on the two of them develop a connection. Their connection mixed with what Elvira and Dela really are along with the battle between the Radicals and Marked mix into a noxious but ideal combination on the ship. The suspense skyrockets from there where it continues all the way to the last page.
December 1, 2011
If I Fall was one of the MOST ELOQUENT and BRILLIANT novel I have come across in the YA category. The writing is not only authentic and true to the time period but it is also filled with profoundness that gives the book its lovely charm.
Set in the transition between the Victorian and Edwardian era, the mannerisms of the characters are refined and the descriptions are very expressive. It was so genuine, I felt as if I had dived into the time period itself. The main character, Elvira Hamilton, is richly developed throughout the story, along with many of the other major characters. In addition, the handsome Mr. Adam Laurence will have the female readers swooning due to his charming antics.
I could go on and on, but in short, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this novel! This crafted work of brilliance will leave readers (such as myself) begging for more. You will definitely not be disappointed!!!!!!
Set in the transition between the Victorian and Edwardian era, the mannerisms of the characters are refined and the descriptions are very expressive. It was so genuine, I felt as if I had dived into the time period itself. The main character, Elvira Hamilton, is richly developed throughout the story, along with many of the other major characters. In addition, the handsome Mr. Adam Laurence will have the female readers swooning due to his charming antics.
I could go on and on, but in short, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this novel! This crafted work of brilliance will leave readers (such as myself) begging for more. You will definitely not be disappointed!!!!!!
December 10, 2011
Loved it. Read it in one sitting. Can't wait for #2.
April 12, 2024
Honestly, I was bored, even though it wasn't lacking in action. I didn't particularly like the storyline. Adam seemed unrealistic and cheesy and typical, and just weird. I didn't mind Elvira, but kind of felt blah about her, so when something supposedly scary happened to her, or sad, I didn't care. I liked Dela most of the time.
I feel like the writer was trying too hard to make it sound profound. But I liked the parts where she made something out of the ordinary happen from the typical things she made happen.
I feel like the writer was trying too hard to make it sound profound. But I liked the parts where she made something out of the ordinary happen from the typical things she made happen.
June 25, 2020
I loved this book. For me, it read really fast and kept me interested throughout. I was on the edge of my seat, waiting to find out what was going to happen between Adam and Elvira. And I couldn't wait to find out the fate of both girls. I first found out about this book from my husband who was one of Kelseyleigh's professor at Franklin & Marshall, so I am glad I finally got to read it and I'm looking forward to the next book.
October 23, 2012
Quick YA read that leaves a lot to be desired. Aside from the mostly unexplained Radicals versus Marked conflict, the focus is on the relationship between Elvira and Adam. His immediate interest in her, their first meeting, never grabbed me; it felt forced, unnatural. I would have liked to know more about the Marked, their significance, their history, why the Radicals were so intent on destroying them. There had to be more than just “they’re different, they’re freaks�. Flat characterization. Lots of reaction rather than action. Good writing, I just wish the story was better developed and executed.
December 24, 2014
I read this book because the author is from my area and attends Franklin and Marshall College here in Lancaster, PA. I felt the story to be rather vague and slow moving. I would have liked the author to explain more about how the two groups of people, the Marked and the Radicals, came to be. This is Book One in a series of three. I wasn't left with any real desire to delve into the rest of the series. Kudos to the author, however, for getting published while still in college.
September 23, 2013
Very well written! I wanted to keep reading on and can't wait for the next book in the trilogy. I could visualize and feel what the characters were seeing and feeling because of Kelseyleigh's writing ability. I was very impressed by this young author. I would recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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