When the Moon Has No More Silver

by Connie Lapallo

The women of Jamestown have survived a hurricane at sea, the Starving Time, and Indian Wars. Now, when Sir Thomas Dale arrives at the settlement, the women little know that Dale’s fear of Spanish attack and desire to keep the colony alive will drive them all to the brink of physical and emotional collapse. Then, a Spanish warship in the bay brings everyone’s worst fears to fruition. In the meantime, the women of Jamestown will face floggings and childbirth, moldy foods and censorship, contagion and betrayal from within their own Governor’s house. After eleven years in the colony, these women will learn that Virginia—still—is a very wild place. When the Moon Has No More Silver is the second book in Lapallo’s Jamestown Sky Series based on the true story of the women and children who ventured to early Virginia. It follows the story of Joan Peirce and her contemporaries through the years 1610 to 1620. The series is historically accurate and appropriate for all ages.

Genres: Historical Fiction

656 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Connie Lapallo is the author of two novels based on the true story of colonial Jamestown's first women and children. During her research, she discovered that fifteen generations ago her grandmother Cecily had come to Jamestown in 1611 as an eleven year old. Cecily's mother Joan had come two years before that in 1609. These facts were indisputably in the records. Yet most history books said no women or children were at Jamestown. The realization that history had not only forgotten these women but even denied their existence wouldn’t let Connie go. She set out to tell these women’s story.

Connie is recognized as a historian regarding these early 17th century settlers and has spoken to more than 400 groups, societies, clubs, and schools. She is now working on the third book in the Jamestown Sky trilogy, The Sun is But a Morning Star, and a non-fiction about an early Jamestown governor, In Search of Sir Thomas Gates: A Biography.

To learn more about the Jamestown Sky trilogy and Connie's appearances, join her mailing list: http://connielapallo.com/mailinglist1... or visit her at connielapallo.com.

Reviews

[Mike Shoop · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know I will be in the minority here with my opinion, and I really wanted to like this book so much, as I enjoy fiction and nonfiction about Jamestown and Virginia, and those who like this trilogy really rave about it. However, I was just as underwhelmed by this one as the novel that precedes it (which I read a few years ago). It cannot be denied that Lapallo has done huge amounts of research, but for me, she let that get in the way of her storytelling and character development. I found this a slow, unengaging slog, it seemed that the author felt compelled to cover every single thing that happened in too much detail so that she could get in every fact she uncovered. That said, she presents a realistic picture of life during those times and how the colonials suffered through shipwrecks, crossings, storms, Indian attacks, hunger, martial law, etc. But her story had no flow to it, her characters seemed flat and wooden and mostly underdeveloped, major events had no feel of urgency or drama, it all moved at a snail's pace, and it never picked up. It was exhausting, and a relief to get to the end. I commend Lapallo for her research and her attempt to make this time period in Virginia more accessible to readers, but she might have done better to have written a nonfiction account. With historical fiction, I enjoy a lot more story woven around facts, not tons of facts with a little story interspersed. Her author's notes at the end were very informative; I liked those notes more than the fictional part.
There are better novels about Jamestown: Elisa Carbone's Blood on the River and Poison in the Colony (YA), Virginia Bernhard's A Durable Fire, and Tidewater by Libbie Hawker, are all excellent reads. At this point, not sure I will bother with the final volume in this trilogy.

[Genny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues the story of Jamestown. Lapallo has done a tremendous amount of research into her family and history. I really like how she has interpreted those times and events, creating an enjoyable story for us.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series after a visit to Jamestown. The stories, though fictionalized from actual accounts are unimaginable. It's hard to imagine the life the "ancient planters" lived in order to create this new world.

[Margaret Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Connie Lapallo just gets better. I have been transported back four centuries to meet and respectfully wonder at the people who risked so much to "make new lives" in the New World of what the English had named Virginia. Ms. Lapallo does not imagine them flawless by any stretch, but she breathes an exquisite humanity into each character lucky enough to find his or her way into this story. She treats the natives who were there first with equal respect, as we relive the interactions and conflicts between the two peoples as the ever-increasing English immigration continued to encroach upon lands of previously assumed ownership by tribal units.

But hardships were not limited to conflicts with indigenous tribes. Infectious diseases, often contageous, were rampant during these early decades, such that premature deaths were suffered by more than three quarters of the settlers, and the survivors yet experienced hunger, exhaustion, and discouragement from ongoing afflictions. Our author portrays her narrator, Joan Peirce, however, with an infectious optimism, albeit allowing Joan to show us her struggle to resist a loss of courage as the days, weeks, and years dealt endless hindrances to happiness.

I have studied the history of Jamestown, Virginia, for two decades, and always found it fascinating. But no facts—or any contemporary descriptions written in old stilted English—brought its story to life the way these first two Lapallo novels do. Pocahontas is in this volume. We ache over the tragedy of her early death. And then we see how, step by step, the lives of the survivors went on.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up around the time Cecily finally made it to Jamestown, When the Moon Has No More Silver is the continuing story of the early years of the colony, focused on the women and children and told from the point of view of one of the original settlers (Cecily’s mother Joan). The book ends right around the time the Peace of Pocahontas ended. The writing is very descriptive and goes at a relatively slow pace which really works well for the topic. The research in impeccable. The author is descended from various settlers (including the narrator) so it was partly a genealogy project for her so she wanted to get it as correct as possible. There is an entire section at the end explaining which few characters are fiction, short bios of some of the Jamestown settlers, primary source quotes, explanations of various things included in the book, and much more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in colonization and Jamestown in particular. You do not have to read the first book (Dark Enough to See the Stars in a Jamestown Sky) for this one to make sense, but I’d recommend reading it first anyway.

[Merle Dunson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually like to read books that are page turners that move quickly. But this book is so full of interesting events that I found myself reading slowly and absorbing all these dear people went through! It is Unbelievable how these people suffered to pave the way for the beginnings of our country! So many deaths, losses, hunger, sickness! When I read these stories I am reminded how spoiled we are and how most of us have never experienced the depths of what these brave, tough colonists went through. These books should be made into a movie. I will be thinking about this book for years to come!

[Sheryll Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

We had recently visited Jamestown and I wanted to know more. This book and the rest of the series were great because they made it come alive. The author based the story on historical facts but gives the characters life so you weren't just reading a dry history book account of the times. I really enjoyed the whole series.

[Helena Dagostino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamestown Women

This book (no.2) in the Jamestown Sky series is about the first women that came to Jamestown in the early 1600s. It was very difficult for them. Many did not survive. Please read Book 1 first. These are well researched and written well to portray what life was like. Many died. You see this through the eyes of Joan Peirce. I thought it was very well written.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The saga continues in this historical story of courageous and stalwart pioneers. It makes you stop and think about how many struggles and challenges they had to endure, but they did not give up. It leaves you with an "I can do it" spirit.

[Patti Procopi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazingly-well researched novel based on the author's own ancestors. The story of Jamestown comes alive with all the history and drama through the eyes of one of the women who lived through it all. Can't wait to start the third volume.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect marriage of fact and fiction

I am fascinated by these books because as they are entertaining they are more so because people mostly had lived. The author gives them a voice to tell their stories.

[CAROL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read the first book, but read this first for a book club meeting. I definitely want to go back and read the first book while I look forward to number 3. Recently touring Jamestown and Williamsburg, Virginia seemed even more interesting.

[Linda Harlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

Historically researched with a great way of bringing a story to life. Will read the next one in the trilogy.

[Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really got into the story of Jamestown through this book and the first in the series. I look forward to reading the third and final installment!

[Coleen Dailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second in the series and I really love it. The attention to detail and history are great. Can't wait to start the third book.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting history in this second installment of the series. For me, it was too much information and not enough story.

[Barbara Schade · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. This continues the saga of the women of Jamestown which began in Dark Enough to See the Stars in a Jamestown Sky. It covers the years 1610 to 1620. This is fiction but the author takes pains to make everything feasible with the known facts. I agree with another reviewer who said that this is the best way to learn history (or at least her favorite way).
I hadn't realized that most of those who were there at that time were virtually prisoners. They had to do the work that was assigned to them and could be whipped if they didn't do it right, even if they weren't given sufficient materials to complete it. In addition, they had to provide for not only their family, but for new arrivals that were assigned to stay with them. On top of that, many of them died from disease (bloody flux) and childbirth. I am eager for the author's 3rd book in this promised trilogy.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it as I did her first in the series. Wonderful historical fiction though based on real events and people. Two of my ancestors are main characters with the authors ancestors. It gives you a look into what the adventurers at Jamestowne endured to get a start in this country. Surviving Starving time in the first book of the series to surviving corrupt governing in this the second second in the series.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, and the best way to absorb history: the story told through the participants' eyes, rather than dry dates and facts. Though the writing is at times uninspired, the engagement with the characters is there and the descriptions are solid. My biggest complaint is with the quality of the book printing. My copy fell apart with most of the beginning chapters coming unbound the first time it was opened.

[Garner Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter (14) and I both read this series (two books) in our homeschool study of early American History, and then followed up with a visit to Jamestown. We fully enjoyed both books. There is very little information available about the women in Jamestown, and the author has done a great job researching and applying the history while developing characters and establishing the setting. My daughter has become interested in herbal remedies. (Can't wait to read the third book - hint hint!)

[Jean]

A great follow up book and now I can't wait to read the 3rd book - when it is finished. Captures the many struggles the women and child went through to make this our country. It made me appreciate so much more what people went through to make this our country.

[Donna Siebold · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just how I like my history delivered - in an engaging story about people I wish I knew. This is a great introduction to the women and children who helped settle Jamestown. You suffer with them through the starving time and are hoping they will find life easier as time progresses.

[Becko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really love this series. I've learned so much about the early colonists that I never really thought about before. The woman's perspective is refreshing. It also is so neat to read about the names of places in the 1600's where the places are recognizable today.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, second in a historical fiction series by local author Connie Lapallo. Set in the early years of the Jamestown colony, the reader follow the story of Joan Peirce, the narrator of the first novel. Both novels go beyond the surface of events that actually happened.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, perhaps even more than the first. The time period is fascinating and I think the author captured very well what day-to-day life was probably like for the early settlers.

[Mary Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really gotten attached to these characters. Can't wait for the 3rd book to be published.