Skip to main content

Curses and Smoke: A Novel of Pompeii by Vicky Alvear Shecter: A BookReview

Curses and Smoke: A Novel of Pompeii
Author: Vicky Alvear Shecter
Genre:  YA, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Release Date: 2014
Pages: 336
Source: My State Public Library
Synopsis: When your world blows apart, what will you hold onto?

TAG is a medical slave, doomed to spend his life healing his master's injured gladiators. But his warrior's heart yearns to fight in the gladiator ring himself and earn enough money to win his freedom.

LUCIA is the daughter of Tag's owner, doomed by her father's greed to marry a much older Roman man. But she loves studying the natural world around her home in Pompeii, and lately she's been noticing some odd occurrences in the landscape: small lakes disappearing; a sulfurous smell in the air. . . .

When the two childhood friends reconnect, each with their own longings, they fall passionately in love. But as they plot their escape from the city, a patrician fighter reveals his own plans for them -- to Lucia's father, who imprisons Tag as punishment. Then an earthquake shakes Pompeii, in the first sign of the chaos to come. Will they be able to find each other again before the volcano destroys their whole world?

     My Review: I have always been fascinated by the tragedy of Pompeii. I’ve watched countless documentaries and read nonfiction books on the subject. When I found out that Vicky Alvear Shecter, author of one of my favorite books, Cleopatra’s Moon, decided to set her novel during Pompeii’s last few weeks, I couldn’t resist reading it. The story is focused on a forbidden romance between Lucia, a daughter of a wealthy Roman, and her slave, Tages, who often goes by his nickname Tag. When they realize that their lives are determined by Lucia’s father and not of their own choosing, they embark on a course for their own freedom, all amidst a curse that may befall their beloved city.

     The author paints a vivid portrait of the daily life in Pompeii. She tells us of the class distinctions between a slave and his master, and how a slave can obtain his freedom. She also gives us a description about the gladiators. There are some controversial themes in this novel that the reader needs to be aware of like infanticide, suicide, and the Roman’s beliefs of slavery. However, these themes portray the customs and beliefs that the Romans had during that time.

     The characters are very dynamic. At first, I didn’t like Lucia. She seemed to be an insipid character. She was selfish, whiny, and didn’t care about Tag or his family. She would always ask him what he thought about her and her feelings. She did not think or ask about him at all, unless it affected her. Some of the things she said were appalling.  For example, she believed that Tag should like being a slave because he is clothed, gets food, and has a roof over his head. This comment made me really angry. She treats Tag as a dog than as a human being. Yet, later, when Mt. Vesuvius erupts does she show a more compassionate and selfless side. She is willing to risk her life to save Tag.

     Tag also goes through changes. He is compassionate and selfless. He is willing to break a few rules in order to be with Lucia. Over the course of the novel, he realizes that he must choose family and honor over his love for Lucia. He knows that he has a responsibility to save those his family and friends, even though he knows he will lose the love of his life forever.

     Overall, the novel is about love, friendship, loss, sacrifice, and survival. The themes of this novel is about the nature of freedom. Freedom is the ultimate challenge and goal of this novel. The story is slow-paced and the plot is very predictable. There are no twists and turns in this book for it is mainly focused on their romance. Until then, the author goes on pace reminiscent as if it is waiting for the characters inevitable doom. The tone of the book is tragic, yet the ending is beautiful. While it is not as good as Cleopatra’s Moon, this book is still a worthy read. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Pompeii, forbidden love, and the quest for survival and freedom.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Woman from Lydia (The Emissaries #1) by Angela Hunt: A Book Review

The Woman from Lydia (The Emissaries #1) Author: Angela Hunt Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian, Biblical Fiction Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Publication Date: 2023 Pages: 330 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.  Synopsis: Widowed Euodia, known to her neighbors as "the Lydian woman," seeks to make a fresh start by moving to the foreign city of Philippi. She finds new purpose after meeting Paulos, apostle to the Gentiles, who opens her eyes to helping those in need, particularly women and those who have been enslaved.        Retired Roman soldier Hector has settled in Philippi with dreams of a future filled with wealth and status, pooling his army earnings with Lucius, his fellow comrade-in-arms turned business partner. His hopes are dashed, however, when Paulos robs their youngest enslaved girl of her lucrative ability to foretell the future, rendering her worthless to Hector's ambition.     ...

Nell: Marshal of Bodie (The Nell Doherty Mysteries #1) by John Edward Mullen: A Book Review

Nell: Marshal of Bodie (The Nell Doherty Mysteries #1) Author: John Edward Mullen Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Suspense, Western  Publisher: Murders in Time Press Release Date: 2022 Pages: 300 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: In the winter of 1892, the once-vibrant gold-mining town of Bodie, California is in serious decline.        Nell Doherty, an 18-year-old young woman with a wooden leg, dreams of leaving and becoming a Pinkerton detective.       When a tragic shooting presents her with an opportunity to prove she has the skills needed to work for the Pinkertons, Bodie’s justice of the peace deputizes Nell — over the loud objections of the majority of the town’s residents.      Can she prove them all wrong?       Nell digs in and investigates the shooting, with the help of Rags, her half-Irish, half-Chinese be...

The King's Jewel by Elizabeth Chadwick: A Book Review

The King’s Jewel Author: Elizabeth Chadwick Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance Publisher: Sphere Release Date: 2023 Pages: 456 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Wales, 1093.      The warm, comfortable family life of young Nesta, daughter of Prince Rhys of Deheubarth, is destroyed when her father is killed and she is taken hostage. Her honour is further tarnished when she is taken as an unwilling concubine by King William's ruthless younger brother Henry, who later ascends the throne under suspicious circumstances.      But it is Nesta's marriage that will really change the course of her life. Gerald FitzWalter, an ambitious young knight, is rewarded for his unwavering loyalty to his new King with Nesta's hand. He is delighted, having always admired her from afar, but Nesta's only comfort is her return to her beloved Wales. There, she cannot help but be tempted by the handsome, charismatic and danger...