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The Commodore's Daughter
Fifteen-year-old Jennifer Perry dreams of traveling the world, a dream that will never happen now that she's promised to a man twice her age. But what can she do? Run away. To Japan, where her survival is uncertain. Learning the ways of her new world, and the code of the Samurai, she uncovers a plot to ambush the American sailors. Now she must risk her own life in order to save her Commodore father.
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2013
17 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Brazil
8 books15 followersAuthor Jamie Brazil is a life-long morning person who loves coffee, her Bloodhound, and her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 31, 2016
While reading this book, all I could say was how this was an excellent historical young adult book. In fact, this book is based on Commodore Perry's journey in 1853. The author studied the accounts and created Jenny.
I really enjoyed what Brazil came up with. I liked Jenny. I enjoyed her determination and bravery. She was quite the adventurer, stubborn and willful. Japan was an interesting place for her to go. Brazil did a great job in showing the reader culture shock.
I found Jenny to be smart and learned quickly. I enjoyed following her story. She is a very entertaining character.
Overall, I would recommend this to young readers who enjoy a strong female lead, Japanese culture and historical settings. I would have enjoyed this as a young adult.
I received a copy of the book from Netgalley.
I really enjoyed what Brazil came up with. I liked Jenny. I enjoyed her determination and bravery. She was quite the adventurer, stubborn and willful. Japan was an interesting place for her to go. Brazil did a great job in showing the reader culture shock.
I found Jenny to be smart and learned quickly. I enjoyed following her story. She is a very entertaining character.
Overall, I would recommend this to young readers who enjoy a strong female lead, Japanese culture and historical settings. I would have enjoyed this as a young adult.
I received a copy of the book from Netgalley.
August 19, 2013
This is a thrilling book for younger teens. I would recommend it to anyone between the ages of 13-15. For my full review please visit http://internallyandeternallyinked.bl...
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August 16, 2020I sympathize with Jennifer's plight, but it felt like I was reading a drama. Jennifer mopes and complains while her family members tell her she should desire to marry a rich man. The first 10% of the novel felt jumbled as it flip flopped between Jennifer's thoughts, which info dump about the character and the world, and present events (dialogue, action). DNFed.
November 26, 2013
NOTE: I received this book from the publisher. Thank you!
The Commodore's Daughter is a really good novel about adventure, courage and honor. It's about loyalty, obedience and following our heart. It's also about women's rights and the right way to acquire them.
The voice of the POV was really alluring, making me want to turn the pages without taking time to stop. The story was unique and to be honest, I had no idea it was partially based on a true story. I do know however, that it was an original plot centered around the adventures of a 15 year old girl in the land of Japan.
The Japanese culture from all those centuries ago is very well described, and I was fully able to immerse myself into that unknown to me world. I could 'see' everything through my mind in detail as if I'd been there myself. Also, the characters were lively, making me experience their emotions as if they were my own. I could understand their way of thinking and I was really grateful that all the Japanese words were written in context of the events - if the main character was meant to understand them then I did alongside her.
Now, onto the characters:
Jennifer was a unique girl for the century she lived in. She was supposed to marry a man her had found to be 'good' for her, but she utterly refused and ran away. Ultimately, she ended holed up in her father's ship and that's how her voyage to the distant and terrifying land of Japan began.
I liked Jennifer for her spirit of independence. In the age where women had no rights, marriages were arranged for the social classes and obedience to the father figure was almost absolute, Jennifer stood out as a rebel. I'm not sure what would've happened to her had she not overslept in her father's closet, but I do know that there wasn't a better place for her than Japan. She basically flowered there. She became her true self - a brave girl, honorable and respectful.
She took up the Bushido code way more seriously than I expected, and that may have just saved the lives of thousands.
I was honestly impressed by her - I mean, she was stranded all alone among the Japanese whose law demands that no foreigner is to be left alive; she only spoke English, and the Japs only spoke Japanese... and Jennifer not only survived to tell the tale, but she actually made friends, learned the Japanese language and customs and even some martial arts! In my opinion, that's quite a lot to expect from a young girl. Yet, perhaps because of her age she was quick to think, agile to learn and innocent enough to be able to befriend some kindhearted people.
Keiko, was the daughter of a samurai. The samurai who saved Jennifer and took her in his home. I think Keiko was just the type of friend Jennifer needed. She was kind, loving, driven, honest and honorable. She was also keen to learn and teach, and had strategically placed friends of her own. Together, the two girls turned into young women driven by the purpose to save the relations between two great nations.
Ruy (I think) was this farmer boy, who came into Jennifer's life with a flash. He did not stop surprising me till the end of the story. He was not who he pretended to be (most of the time) - or rather, he was too many things at once to even begin to understand his many layers. He was brave though and there was honor in him and loyalty to the right person.
The last character I want to mention is Jennifer's father. The guy was a sea wolf. The majority of his life was spent on a ship, away from his family and close to roughened up men. Which is why his love and kindness toward Jennifer felt special to me. Sure, he did pretend to act as if he was so superior and nothing could unearth him, but seriously? He was a girl's daddy - soft and meek on the inside. I really think he appreciated Jennifer even more for becoming the independent young woman she was in the end. He was truly an impressive man.
In conclusion, I'd like to say that The Commodore's Daughter was an enjoyable read that introduces the lively world of Japan from a couple of centuries back as it clashes with the newly found freedom of a teenage girl.
The Commodore's Daughter is a really good novel about adventure, courage and honor. It's about loyalty, obedience and following our heart. It's also about women's rights and the right way to acquire them.
The voice of the POV was really alluring, making me want to turn the pages without taking time to stop. The story was unique and to be honest, I had no idea it was partially based on a true story. I do know however, that it was an original plot centered around the adventures of a 15 year old girl in the land of Japan.
The Japanese culture from all those centuries ago is very well described, and I was fully able to immerse myself into that unknown to me world. I could 'see' everything through my mind in detail as if I'd been there myself. Also, the characters were lively, making me experience their emotions as if they were my own. I could understand their way of thinking and I was really grateful that all the Japanese words were written in context of the events - if the main character was meant to understand them then I did alongside her.
Now, onto the characters:
Jennifer was a unique girl for the century she lived in. She was supposed to marry a man her had found to be 'good' for her, but she utterly refused and ran away. Ultimately, she ended holed up in her father's ship and that's how her voyage to the distant and terrifying land of Japan began.
I liked Jennifer for her spirit of independence. In the age where women had no rights, marriages were arranged for the social classes and obedience to the father figure was almost absolute, Jennifer stood out as a rebel. I'm not sure what would've happened to her had she not overslept in her father's closet, but I do know that there wasn't a better place for her than Japan. She basically flowered there. She became her true self - a brave girl, honorable and respectful.
She took up the Bushido code way more seriously than I expected, and that may have just saved the lives of thousands.
I was honestly impressed by her - I mean, she was stranded all alone among the Japanese whose law demands that no foreigner is to be left alive; she only spoke English, and the Japs only spoke Japanese... and Jennifer not only survived to tell the tale, but she actually made friends, learned the Japanese language and customs and even some martial arts! In my opinion, that's quite a lot to expect from a young girl. Yet, perhaps because of her age she was quick to think, agile to learn and innocent enough to be able to befriend some kindhearted people.
Keiko, was the daughter of a samurai. The samurai who saved Jennifer and took her in his home. I think Keiko was just the type of friend Jennifer needed. She was kind, loving, driven, honest and honorable. She was also keen to learn and teach, and had strategically placed friends of her own. Together, the two girls turned into young women driven by the purpose to save the relations between two great nations.
Ruy (I think) was this farmer boy, who came into Jennifer's life with a flash. He did not stop surprising me till the end of the story. He was not who he pretended to be (most of the time) - or rather, he was too many things at once to even begin to understand his many layers. He was brave though and there was honor in him and loyalty to the right person.
The last character I want to mention is Jennifer's father. The guy was a sea wolf. The majority of his life was spent on a ship, away from his family and close to roughened up men. Which is why his love and kindness toward Jennifer felt special to me. Sure, he did pretend to act as if he was so superior and nothing could unearth him, but seriously? He was a girl's daddy - soft and meek on the inside. I really think he appreciated Jennifer even more for becoming the independent young woman she was in the end. He was truly an impressive man.
In conclusion, I'd like to say that The Commodore's Daughter was an enjoyable read that introduces the lively world of Japan from a couple of centuries back as it clashes with the newly found freedom of a teenage girl.
August 16, 2013
I love Japan. Since it was some time ago that I read a book with this wonderful country as its main setting, I was really anticipating and looking forward to reading it.
About the story:
It's about a 15-year-old American girl, that thought her life was about to end, because her father arranged a marriage for her. And marrying was the last thing she wanted to do. She would rather spend her time climbing trees or traveling the world, experiencing the adventures she read about in books firsthand. That's why she decided to run away - to get her freedom back. As her first hideout she decided on hiding in a place her parents would never think of - her father's own ship. Unfortunately her father decided to set sails for his next journey earlier than she thought. Traveling as a stowaway, she eventually finds herself in Japan...a country, with a culture so foreign to her and with a law to kill every foreigner...
My thoughts: (may contain slight spoilers, only heavy spoilers a marked as spoilers)
In my opinion, the book was very short (with only 133 pages). So the pace of the story was very fast and there are no real unnecessary parts to the story (which is important to me, because I can get bored easily). But sometimes I even had the feeling that it may have been a little bit too fast. The story provides a wonderful setting for letting the characters grow into their roles slowly. Especially since Jennifer has to learn so much about a different culture and language. As it is, I think that I didn't really get to know the characters. Ok, we get much information about the main characters, but still I didn't get drawn into the characters as I often do and love to do. This doesn't really affect the story itself. It is just sad, that I see the potential it has and didn't use.
I would recommend reading this book to readers that are interested in learning a little bit of the Japanese culture and history or who are just interested in reading a short, entertaining story.
About the story:
It's about a 15-year-old American girl, that thought her life was about to end, because her father arranged a marriage for her. And marrying was the last thing she wanted to do. She would rather spend her time climbing trees or traveling the world, experiencing the adventures she read about in books firsthand. That's why she decided to run away - to get her freedom back. As her first hideout she decided on hiding in a place her parents would never think of - her father's own ship. Unfortunately her father decided to set sails for his next journey earlier than she thought. Traveling as a stowaway, she eventually finds herself in Japan...a country, with a culture so foreign to her and with a law to kill every foreigner...
My thoughts: (may contain slight spoilers, only heavy spoilers a marked as spoilers)
In my opinion, the book was very short (with only 133 pages). So the pace of the story was very fast and there are no real unnecessary parts to the story (which is important to me, because I can get bored easily). But sometimes I even had the feeling that it may have been a little bit too fast. The story provides a wonderful setting for letting the characters grow into their roles slowly. Especially since Jennifer has to learn so much about a different culture and language. As it is, I think that I didn't really get to know the characters. Ok, we get much information about the main characters, but still I didn't get drawn into the characters as I often do and love to do. This doesn't really affect the story itself. It is just sad, that I see the potential it has and didn't use.
I would recommend reading this book to readers that are interested in learning a little bit of the Japanese culture and history or who are just interested in reading a short, entertaining story.
October 17, 2013
This and other reviews can be found at my blog Ramblings of a Reader.
This was an interesting read, and not quite what I was expecting. It was very well written, and I absolutely love historical fiction, so when I saw this on NetGalley I knew I needed to see if I could read a copy. The description doesn't really go into it a lot, and I feel like it might sell the story short a bit. That being said, here's what I thought of it.
Jennifer {Jen-ni, as her Japanese friends end up calling her} is raised in a well-to-do family in the eastern Americas and is friends with a somewhat younger {but as well-known as ever} Susan B Anthony. The book starts out with Jenny at home with her family, but the adventure begins when she flees a farewell ball and the man her father has promised her to. Her friend Susan helps her escape, and Jenny stows away on her father's ship for the night, planning on meeting one of Susan's friends to help her escape north and start on her own. She sleeps through a lot, and ends up already out to see by the time she wakes up in a highly unused closet in her father's cabins on his ship.
A decent portion of the book describes life for Jenny in the ship's closet, which was hard and nearly had her starving to death. She survived and made it to Japan only to have to jump ship and swim to shore in a place where foreigners are executed on sight. A well-to-do Japanese family finds her and captures her, only to have something happen {I won't say what... because that's a spoiler}, and both Jenny and the daughter of said Japanese family {Keiko} on the run from ninja.
Jenny and Keiko, along with a sensei, end up disguising Jenny enough that she blends in {using things to die her skin and hair}, and they all travel to a mountain village, where Jenny and Keiko end up assimilating. From there, they must find a way to reunite Jenny with her father and save all of Japan.
I did enjoy this book, although, honestly, it took me quite a while to read for a book that has only about 170 pages. It felt somewhat juvenile, and I was getting a little frustrated with the author not interpreting the things Keiko was saying in Japanese {although, it did help me get into Jenny's character a bit, because I was frustrated right alongside her}. *side note: when Jenny did end up learning some Japanese, the author either just had it written in English in the book or would have a translation right after the statement.* The book was very well written and would probably be more enjoyable for someone younger {13 or 14 year old me would have loved this}.
*I was given a copy of this from the publisher for an honest review. I was not paid or compensated for said review.*
This was an interesting read, and not quite what I was expecting. It was very well written, and I absolutely love historical fiction, so when I saw this on NetGalley I knew I needed to see if I could read a copy. The description doesn't really go into it a lot, and I feel like it might sell the story short a bit. That being said, here's what I thought of it.
Jennifer {Jen-ni, as her Japanese friends end up calling her} is raised in a well-to-do family in the eastern Americas and is friends with a somewhat younger {but as well-known as ever} Susan B Anthony. The book starts out with Jenny at home with her family, but the adventure begins when she flees a farewell ball and the man her father has promised her to. Her friend Susan helps her escape, and Jenny stows away on her father's ship for the night, planning on meeting one of Susan's friends to help her escape north and start on her own. She sleeps through a lot, and ends up already out to see by the time she wakes up in a highly unused closet in her father's cabins on his ship.
A decent portion of the book describes life for Jenny in the ship's closet, which was hard and nearly had her starving to death. She survived and made it to Japan only to have to jump ship and swim to shore in a place where foreigners are executed on sight. A well-to-do Japanese family finds her and captures her, only to have something happen {I won't say what... because that's a spoiler}, and both Jenny and the daughter of said Japanese family {Keiko} on the run from ninja.
Jenny and Keiko, along with a sensei, end up disguising Jenny enough that she blends in {using things to die her skin and hair}, and they all travel to a mountain village, where Jenny and Keiko end up assimilating. From there, they must find a way to reunite Jenny with her father and save all of Japan.
I did enjoy this book, although, honestly, it took me quite a while to read for a book that has only about 170 pages. It felt somewhat juvenile, and I was getting a little frustrated with the author not interpreting the things Keiko was saying in Japanese {although, it did help me get into Jenny's character a bit, because I was frustrated right alongside her}. *side note: when Jenny did end up learning some Japanese, the author either just had it written in English in the book or would have a translation right after the statement.* The book was very well written and would probably be more enjoyable for someone younger {13 or 14 year old me would have loved this}.
*I was given a copy of this from the publisher for an honest review. I was not paid or compensated for said review.*
August 2, 2013
In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States Navy, commanding a squadron of two steamers and two sailing vessels, sailed into Tokyo harbor aboard the frigate Susquehanna. Perry, on behalf of the U.S. government, was tasked with forcing Japan to enter into trade with the United States. In this novel, Ms. Brazil presents all the conflict between the two cultures in the 19th century. At that time, Japan had been ruled by the Shogun for over 200 years with increasing isolation from the “evil” western world. Indeed, the Shogun had good reason to fear the American’s, for this was a major turning point in Japan’s exposure to the rest of the world.
Jamie Brazil imagines a fictional second daughter of Commodore Perry, fifteen-year-old Jennifer, who stows away on his ship and becomes a major player in the final treaty signed between Japan and America. Readers who love history, and would like to learn a little Japanese along the way, will get a good sense of what it might have been like to live in 19th century Japan and the difficulties both Japan and America faced in establishing any real relationship.
The beginning moves along quickly as Jennifer runs away from an arranged marriage and spends many months as a stowaway. Once Jennifer get’s to Japan the reader is thrust into a strange world where language, culture and everything is foreign. Some reader’s may find this part frustrating as there is a lot for Jennifer to learn, and the reader is learning it at the same time. I suggest to keep struggling along with Jennifer, as this section mirrors the heroine’s own frustration as she learns Japanese and her changed role in this new world. You will be rewarded with a deeper understanding as Jennifer and her two friends rush to save both sides from killing each other.
I loved the heroine, Jennifer, and the supporting characters of Keiko and Ryu. Through these characters Brazil presents the juxtaposition of wealth and need in both cultures, with both ends of the spectrum having challenges no matter their financial situation. Each character has opportunities for great bravery. Through these characters we experience the many conflicting decisions one must make around loyalty, duty, and honor.
Jamie Brazil imagines a fictional second daughter of Commodore Perry, fifteen-year-old Jennifer, who stows away on his ship and becomes a major player in the final treaty signed between Japan and America. Readers who love history, and would like to learn a little Japanese along the way, will get a good sense of what it might have been like to live in 19th century Japan and the difficulties both Japan and America faced in establishing any real relationship.
The beginning moves along quickly as Jennifer runs away from an arranged marriage and spends many months as a stowaway. Once Jennifer get’s to Japan the reader is thrust into a strange world where language, culture and everything is foreign. Some reader’s may find this part frustrating as there is a lot for Jennifer to learn, and the reader is learning it at the same time. I suggest to keep struggling along with Jennifer, as this section mirrors the heroine’s own frustration as she learns Japanese and her changed role in this new world. You will be rewarded with a deeper understanding as Jennifer and her two friends rush to save both sides from killing each other.
I loved the heroine, Jennifer, and the supporting characters of Keiko and Ryu. Through these characters Brazil presents the juxtaposition of wealth and need in both cultures, with both ends of the spectrum having challenges no matter their financial situation. Each character has opportunities for great bravery. Through these characters we experience the many conflicting decisions one must make around loyalty, duty, and honor.
August 27, 2013
The Plot. I thought that this book had a great idea and had so much potential. I loved the book when I read the summary and was so excited to see where the story line would lead. Then I got to certain parts in the book and my excitement dwindled into disappointment. There were quite a few aspects of this book that just twisted me the wrong way. First, this girl decides to run away and she steals away on her father’s ship where she gets stuck. Then she finds these people who decide to hide her at risk to their won lives and all she does is complain. Suddenly the book has no details or storyline as the author describes her time in a small village. Then she manages to overhear the dark plot to ambush American sailors and off she goes to save the world. Everything about this book was just too unbelievable for me to actually enjoy it.
Jennifer. Jennifer’s character was such a disappointment. She had all the characteristics in a heroin that I absolutely loath to read about. She complained every few seconds about how misfortunate she was when she chose to run away. Then it seemed she couldn’t do anything right. She was always messing up and making mistakes. I never warmed up to her and couldn’t bring myself to like her.
Other Characters. I thought that the other characters were a little better than Jennifer but still not good. They seemed to fade in the background a lot and I was never sure what there character was supposed to be doing. many of the characters were never expanded on and gave proper characterization. I felt that this gave the book less credibility than usual.
Overall. All in all this book was not as good as I thought it could have been. Some parts passes to fast and didn’t have enough details. Other parts had too much detail or dragged on too long.
Jennifer. Jennifer’s character was such a disappointment. She had all the characteristics in a heroin that I absolutely loath to read about. She complained every few seconds about how misfortunate she was when she chose to run away. Then it seemed she couldn’t do anything right. She was always messing up and making mistakes. I never warmed up to her and couldn’t bring myself to like her.
Other Characters. I thought that the other characters were a little better than Jennifer but still not good. They seemed to fade in the background a lot and I was never sure what there character was supposed to be doing. many of the characters were never expanded on and gave proper characterization. I felt that this gave the book less credibility than usual.
Overall. All in all this book was not as good as I thought it could have been. Some parts passes to fast and didn’t have enough details. Other parts had too much detail or dragged on too long.
September 24, 2013
***I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***
First, take a look at the cover. I know, I know, I'm not supposed to judge things by the cover, but just take a look. Lovely, right? Her Rapunzel-hair, and the sword, and everything, just makes a really nice cover.
On to the book:
The beginning, like the first 20% of the book (read on my kindle), really scared me. I didn't like the characters, I felt like she hadn't done a lick of research, and the writing could have been better--a lot better. The writing didn't really improve throughout the book, though there were moments when it was good. What really improved, by leaps and bounds, was her research job. Everything in America and at sea feels like she threw it together three days before it was published, but you can tell she cared about the Japan parts. She has every classic Japanese trope, and a few new ones, and then she builds them up into a sturdier picture of Japan.
The plot is nothing to sing, or complain, about. I think it's pretty standard--I know I've read it at least once before. The ending feels a little bit rushed--especially in comparison to the long, slow beginning.
I neither loved nor hated the characters, but I did have a grudging respect for Jennifer. She drove me crazy at the beginning, but she kept improving throughout the story, and by the end she was pretty fleshed-out.
I think kids in the intended age group will probably really like this--for me, I wanted a little more.
First, take a look at the cover. I know, I know, I'm not supposed to judge things by the cover, but just take a look. Lovely, right? Her Rapunzel-hair, and the sword, and everything, just makes a really nice cover.
On to the book:
The beginning, like the first 20% of the book (read on my kindle), really scared me. I didn't like the characters, I felt like she hadn't done a lick of research, and the writing could have been better--a lot better. The writing didn't really improve throughout the book, though there were moments when it was good. What really improved, by leaps and bounds, was her research job. Everything in America and at sea feels like she threw it together three days before it was published, but you can tell she cared about the Japan parts. She has every classic Japanese trope, and a few new ones, and then she builds them up into a sturdier picture of Japan.
The plot is nothing to sing, or complain, about. I think it's pretty standard--I know I've read it at least once before. The ending feels a little bit rushed--especially in comparison to the long, slow beginning.
I neither loved nor hated the characters, but I did have a grudging respect for Jennifer. She drove me crazy at the beginning, but she kept improving throughout the story, and by the end she was pretty fleshed-out.
I think kids in the intended age group will probably really like this--for me, I wanted a little more.
April 3, 2014
**3.5 STARS**
Jamie Brazil has written a novel depicting an imaginary character into a historical family. She has placed Jennifer as the daughter of Commodore Perry. His job was to open trade between Japan and the United States. The book takes place in the 1800's, a time when girls didn't have many options, and being a stubborn girl was not approved.
As the book opens, Jennifer has been promised to a man who is twice her age. She is 16 and does not have a desire to marry. When she meets her fiancee at a ball, she runs away. She hides on her father's ship, that will be leaving for Japan in the morning.
Her time on the ship is a slow point in the story. She survives off of her father's left overs, cherry cordials, and reading books. It is a time for the reader to get to know Jennifer better and how her minds works. When she arrives in Japan, she learns a new language, culture, and makes a few friends.
The real action and adventure occur in the last quarter of the book. I admit that it was my favorite part of the book, while the beginning and middle were interesting. I think that it would be a better fit for my daughter, who is entranced by all things Asian. She loves the culture.
Jamie Brazil has written a novel depicting an imaginary character into a historical family. She has placed Jennifer as the daughter of Commodore Perry. His job was to open trade between Japan and the United States. The book takes place in the 1800's, a time when girls didn't have many options, and being a stubborn girl was not approved.
As the book opens, Jennifer has been promised to a man who is twice her age. She is 16 and does not have a desire to marry. When she meets her fiancee at a ball, she runs away. She hides on her father's ship, that will be leaving for Japan in the morning.
Her time on the ship is a slow point in the story. She survives off of her father's left overs, cherry cordials, and reading books. It is a time for the reader to get to know Jennifer better and how her minds works. When she arrives in Japan, she learns a new language, culture, and makes a few friends.
The real action and adventure occur in the last quarter of the book. I admit that it was my favorite part of the book, while the beginning and middle were interesting. I think that it would be a better fit for my daughter, who is entranced by all things Asian. She loves the culture.
dnf
September 21, 2013I always appreciate any story that preaches women's rights and/or equality, but I'm not a fan of things that I can't quite grasp/believe. That's why you never find me reading fantasy and I've never touched a Harry Potter book. I like realistic.
There were too many..."I just don't buy this..." and "REALLY? How convenient.." moments for me to enjoy this tale. A fifteen-year-old girl is BFF with a 34-year-old old Susan B. Anthony? They really had that much wonderful stuff to discuss with that particular age difference? I could see if it was a twenty-year-old, but fifteen?
And back then, trips via ship took months at least. I do not believe this chick hid herself in her dad's closet for that long without being seen/suspected. I mean, she jumps out and eats his leftover food, uses his bathroom...and always managed to hide in time and nobody ever says, "Well, I could swear I left two apples here, not just one..." or "My towel is wet and it smells funny in here.."
I do, however, think this book is fine for its intended age group and perhaps young girls who love fantasy...cause I'd label it fantasy before I'd label it historical fiction. It's just not plausible.
There were too many..."I just don't buy this..." and "REALLY? How convenient.." moments for me to enjoy this tale. A fifteen-year-old girl is BFF with a 34-year-old old Susan B. Anthony? They really had that much wonderful stuff to discuss with that particular age difference? I could see if it was a twenty-year-old, but fifteen?
And back then, trips via ship took months at least. I do not believe this chick hid herself in her dad's closet for that long without being seen/suspected. I mean, she jumps out and eats his leftover food, uses his bathroom...and always managed to hide in time and nobody ever says, "Well, I could swear I left two apples here, not just one..." or "My towel is wet and it smells funny in here.."
I do, however, think this book is fine for its intended age group and perhaps young girls who love fantasy...cause I'd label it fantasy before I'd label it historical fiction. It's just not plausible.
October 4, 2013
While I am a history buff and a lover of historical fiction and romance, YA books with a teen heroin have never been something I enjoyed. . . UNTIL NOW ;)
From the moment I started reading this book, I found myself captivated, not only by the fresh, interesting storyline, but also by the attention to detail, the character development and the glimpses we are given of Japanesse culture. Ms. Brazil weaves a tale that takes us back to a time when America was struggling to establish trade with Japan. It was also a time when women were still considered property, daughters married off to a man of her father's choosing and love did not play a factor in the selection. Determined not to be forced into an arranged marriage, Jennifer makes the decision to run a away and embarks on a journey that forced her to go from an impetuous child to a woman of courage in a very short time.
I won't go into to much detail about the plot because I don't want to spoil the book for prospective readers. I will however say kudos to Jamie Brazil for a well written, fast paced book that will appeal to readers of all ages.
From the moment I started reading this book, I found myself captivated, not only by the fresh, interesting storyline, but also by the attention to detail, the character development and the glimpses we are given of Japanesse culture. Ms. Brazil weaves a tale that takes us back to a time when America was struggling to establish trade with Japan. It was also a time when women were still considered property, daughters married off to a man of her father's choosing and love did not play a factor in the selection. Determined not to be forced into an arranged marriage, Jennifer makes the decision to run a away and embarks on a journey that forced her to go from an impetuous child to a woman of courage in a very short time.
I won't go into to much detail about the plot because I don't want to spoil the book for prospective readers. I will however say kudos to Jamie Brazil for a well written, fast paced book that will appeal to readers of all ages.
April 11, 2016
I actually finished this book all in one sitting. I enjoyed following Jennifer as she learned Japanese and made connections and friendships with people that had thought of her as an outsider. Although some parts felt stilted, I enjoyed reading about Jennifer, Keiko, and Ryu as they save the Japanese-American treaty negotiations.
That being said, there were a couple loose ends with this story.
That being said, there were a couple loose ends with this story.
September 20, 2013
Thank you to NetGalley and Windtree Press for my copy of Commodore's Daughter.
I often have a challenge of judging a book by it's cover. This one has a girl in a dress, a sword and a ship. All things that I find fun in fiction. I admit I saw the cover and had certain expectations for this book.
While the story was good. And informative, it could have been so much more. It lacked the action and adventure that the sword and the ship promised. As I was reading, it felt like the story was more of just a backbone for an adventure, and I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. A young society girl, forced into a marriage she does not want, stowing away on a ship and secreting herself in her father's cabin, ending up in a strange country where she is unfamiliar with the language and the culture... It has so much promise.
I am not sorry I read this, but I really wished it was more of an adventure.
I often have a challenge of judging a book by it's cover. This one has a girl in a dress, a sword and a ship. All things that I find fun in fiction. I admit I saw the cover and had certain expectations for this book.
While the story was good. And informative, it could have been so much more. It lacked the action and adventure that the sword and the ship promised. As I was reading, it felt like the story was more of just a backbone for an adventure, and I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. A young society girl, forced into a marriage she does not want, stowing away on a ship and secreting herself in her father's cabin, ending up in a strange country where she is unfamiliar with the language and the culture... It has so much promise.
I am not sorry I read this, but I really wished it was more of an adventure.
October 3, 2013
This is a decent story of a girl who shucks the trappings of society and makes her own way in the world after being stranded in a foreign land.
I had some big issues with this book, however. The first-person narration doesn't always flow well, making it awkward to read in several places. Although progressive for her time and friends with Susan B. Anthony, Jenny isn't very convincing as being from the 1850s. She's far too modern in her manner of speech. She even says, "like" in a current fashion in a few places. As in, "I didn't want to do it, but, like, I had to." While not a direct quote, it does give some idea what I mean.
If one can get past these literary obstacles, the story is good. But I had to fight my way around the issues to get to the heart of that story.
I had some big issues with this book, however. The first-person narration doesn't always flow well, making it awkward to read in several places. Although progressive for her time and friends with Susan B. Anthony, Jenny isn't very convincing as being from the 1850s. She's far too modern in her manner of speech. She even says, "like" in a current fashion in a few places. As in, "I didn't want to do it, but, like, I had to." While not a direct quote, it does give some idea what I mean.
If one can get past these literary obstacles, the story is good. But I had to fight my way around the issues to get to the heart of that story.
March 31, 2014
Yes, this totally turned history on it's head but it gave a great sense of place in Shogun Japan. Never mind that there is no info readily available of Commodor Perry having any children much less a 15 year old daughter who was a stowaway on his ship when he traveled to Japan. It's also kind of surprising she managed to stay hidden in her father's cabin in a closet no less. So yes there is a lot of suspension of disbelief but I still like Jennifer. She has great strength of character and she has ingenuity and learns to fit in Japan during a time when foreigners were summarily executed.
Despite that the story is engagingly written and holds the reader and even make them want to learn more about Perry trip to Japan.
Despite that the story is engagingly written and holds the reader and even make them want to learn more about Perry trip to Japan.
December 27, 2013
I enjoyed reading this book immensely. I was thoroughly charmed by the characters and the story.
From the first page on I was immersed in the story and followed the adventure of Jennifer until the end. It is historical fiction, and as fiction there are certain liberties the author takes, as she explains at the end of the book. Some characters actually existed, like Susan B. Anthony and Commodore Perry, but Jennifer didn't, and the adventure she lives is not historical fact either. But that is what makes this story so original and entertaining. I think children will enjoy this book as much as I did. And I hope there is a sequel, so we can find out what happens to Jennifer, Kaiko and Ryu.
From the first page on I was immersed in the story and followed the adventure of Jennifer until the end. It is historical fiction, and as fiction there are certain liberties the author takes, as she explains at the end of the book. Some characters actually existed, like Susan B. Anthony and Commodore Perry, but Jennifer didn't, and the adventure she lives is not historical fact either. But that is what makes this story so original and entertaining. I think children will enjoy this book as much as I did. And I hope there is a sequel, so we can find out what happens to Jennifer, Kaiko and Ryu.
September 21, 2013
As this is not a genre I usually read I was unsure as to what to expect when I began reading this book. Much to my surprise I found myself sucked in to the story from the very beginning. Ms. Brazil captivated me with Jennifer's story and her attention to detail was amazing.
If you want an engaging and entertaining read, I highly recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more from Ms. Jamie Brazil.
If you want an engaging and entertaining read, I highly recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more from Ms. Jamie Brazil.
November 1, 2013
The book was a little slow, and was hoping there would be more of a plot line. I didn't love the book, but I did like plot and was hoping for a little more from the book. I thought it was geared more for a younger age group, not exactly a YA book. I didn't get invested into the characters as much as i was hoping to! Overall, it was fine, just not as great as I was hoping for!
August 29, 2013
I received this book from NetGalley. Review to come.
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