Aug. 6th, 2011

aurora_amethyst: Lucy Pevensie when she first enters Narnia and notices the snow. (Default)
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Obviously, English is my 1st language. ;)

I also speak Korean since I'm half Korean. Currently, I'm trying to develop better skills in speaking and especially reading Korean. But I definitely know enough to go to Korea! ^^ 대한민국 화이팅!

I took two years of French in middle school, two years of Spanish in high school (and one semester in college), and a year of Latin. I'd like to get better with my French and Latin, though. And I know a tiny bit of Japanese.

I'd like learn more Japanese and maybe some Chinese.
aurora_amethyst: Lucy Pevensie when she first enters Narnia and notices the snow. (Default)
I'm sure you remember my review on Mine Is the Night. Well, this review is about Here Burns My Candle, which comes before Mine Is the Night.

When I first read the book, I didn't realize that it was based on one of my favorite Bible stories from childhood: the story of Ruth. And I admit that I was a little nervous, thinking that it would be like the author's series on Jacob and his family. It was a little too. . . well, detailed in the romance aspect if you know what I mean.

So when I read the book, I was quite surprised at how beautiful the retelling was. The story was transformed into 17th century Scotland without being altered very much at all. It was almost as if the story was made to fit perfectly! There were hardly any changes at all to the original Bible story. And really, the changes (such as Mahlon, who is Donald in the book, being unfaithful) didn't really misconstrue the story in any way.

Being found of both Irish and Scottish settings in fiction, of course, I absolutely adored the setting in this book. Most books that have an Irish or Scottish setting tend to go overboard with the dialect; but in Here Burns My Candle, the dialect is in moderation (neither too much nor too little). I was able to get immersed in the story without having to look up every other word in the glossary.

Not only was Here Burns My Candle a beautiful picture of a young woman finding God and showing forgiveness in spite of the pain but also is a creative retelling of the story of Ruth. This book and its sequel ranks among my favorite books because of its setting and because of the creative retelling. I highly recommend this book as well as its sequel; they are both well worth the time. After all, who can resist a sweet romance set in the Highlands of Scotland? So for those who are lovers of novels set in bonnie Scotland or for those who are lovers of history or even for those who just love a good love story, Here Burns My Candle (and Mine Is the Night) is definitely for you!



I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for reviewing it.

please rank my review! i would really appreciate it!

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aurora_amethyst: Lucy Pevensie when she first enters Narnia and notices the snow. (Default)
Amie

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