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Threadbare: The Traveling Show
How do you piece together your life when the world is falling apart at the seams?
It’s 1945. The New American Republic may have beaten their enemies overseas, but the dark echoes of the Great Depression still linger on.
Times are hard, but Amandine Stewart refuses to give up hope. With her father killed in action and her mother imprisoned in the faraway city of Nieuwestad, Amandine embarks on a dangerous journey to reunite what’s left of her family. Her sunny disposition and skills as a seamstress get her a job with a traveling band of performers who are on their way to put on a spectacular show that just might be their ticket out of poverty.
But beneath the stage lights lurks a shadow of Amandine’s past— the treacherous NAR agent who arrested her mother. He is as unpredictable as he is vain, but he makes two things perfectly clear: nothing but the occasional bloodstain shall sully his uniform and nothing will stop him from completing his mission.
Join Amandine as she travels through the war-torn remnants of an alternate past where struggle, adventure, and romance dance to electro-swing beneath the stars.
It’s 1945. The New American Republic may have beaten their enemies overseas, but the dark echoes of the Great Depression still linger on.
Times are hard, but Amandine Stewart refuses to give up hope. With her father killed in action and her mother imprisoned in the faraway city of Nieuwestad, Amandine embarks on a dangerous journey to reunite what’s left of her family. Her sunny disposition and skills as a seamstress get her a job with a traveling band of performers who are on their way to put on a spectacular show that just might be their ticket out of poverty.
But beneath the stage lights lurks a shadow of Amandine’s past— the treacherous NAR agent who arrested her mother. He is as unpredictable as he is vain, but he makes two things perfectly clear: nothing but the occasional bloodstain shall sully his uniform and nothing will stop him from completing his mission.
Join Amandine as she travels through the war-torn remnants of an alternate past where struggle, adventure, and romance dance to electro-swing beneath the stars.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2016
4 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 29, 2017
An alternate history romance adventure with a cast of fascinating characters. I loved the insight into life in a travelling show and the vivid descriptions brought the costumes to life. I could almost hear the electroswing music playing. The pacing was fast and the ending left me wanting more. I'm looking forward to reading more from Alexandra.
January 9, 2017
Great story
Very interesting characters. I loved the growing love story between Amandine and Rene. This is great teen or pre-teen story. The last few cchapters flew by with several plot twists and turns. I am looking forward to the next edition on this story.
Very interesting characters. I loved the growing love story between Amandine and Rene. This is great teen or pre-teen story. The last few cchapters flew by with several plot twists and turns. I am looking forward to the next edition on this story.
March 31, 2017
I'm not saying this just because the author's a good friend of mine! This book was soooo good. I love the characters (I mean, I need more Rene! The rogue frenchman...*swoon*) and the twists throughout the book had me hooked. I hope to learn more about Marmi, Sangria, Glorious, and the others!!
December 30, 2021
Not my usual genre, I enjoyed this light read with plenty of twists and surprises, definitely keeping the readers on their toes.
If you enjoy alternative historical fiction, electro swing, love to meet various characters, Threadbare will be the perfect novel.
If you enjoy alternative historical fiction, electro swing, love to meet various characters, Threadbare will be the perfect novel.
December 25, 2018
My favorite thing about this book is definitely the characters! I love Amandine’s spirit and how she brings joy to everyone she encounters.
March 17, 2017
How exciting to review a book that both deserves and requires the attention.
This book holds a cute story folded into an interesting setting. This is America in the 1940s if it were oppressed and monitored by military police. The history of how this world came to be is not explained, and doesn't need to be, although we can easily extrapolate.
The main character spends much of the book oblivious and naively optimistic. I was critical of this at first until I realized how novel and fresh an approach it really was. Most authors try to give their protagonists above average intelligence. Amandine is not overtly stupid, but you wouldn't call her discerning. Nonetheless, she is easily likeable, determined, and clever with her craft. She sets off with the idealistic goal of rescuing her mother, makes friends with a traveling circus, and falls into puppy love with the first young man who is kind to her. It's a sweet, optimistic, and utterly plausible rendition of teenage behavior.
To be honest, I found this book just slightly above mediocre until I got to the climax. It includes a reveal or two that knocked my socks off, and were very well set up. I even had to go back and reread a few passages.
I recommend this book to adults, young or otherwise.
This book holds a cute story folded into an interesting setting. This is America in the 1940s if it were oppressed and monitored by military police. The history of how this world came to be is not explained, and doesn't need to be, although we can easily extrapolate.
The main character spends much of the book oblivious and naively optimistic. I was critical of this at first until I realized how novel and fresh an approach it really was. Most authors try to give their protagonists above average intelligence. Amandine is not overtly stupid, but you wouldn't call her discerning. Nonetheless, she is easily likeable, determined, and clever with her craft. She sets off with the idealistic goal of rescuing her mother, makes friends with a traveling circus, and falls into puppy love with the first young man who is kind to her. It's a sweet, optimistic, and utterly plausible rendition of teenage behavior.
To be honest, I found this book just slightly above mediocre until I got to the climax. It includes a reveal or two that knocked my socks off, and were very well set up. I even had to go back and reread a few passages.
I recommend this book to adults, young or otherwise.
July 22, 2022
I saw this book on the hashtags I follow on twitter. It has wonderful vintage fashion, music, and a touch of dance. The main character was so likeable and the author had you rooting for her right from the start. The romance element was sweet and just perfect for YA fiction, but complex enough for all ages.
The supporting cast of characters was delightful, and although I saw one of the twists coming, the other surprised me. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes the 1930s, 1940s, jazz, vintage fashion, and the art of sewing. Let yourself be carried away on a WWII alternative history, coming-of-age romance adventure!
Below are some of my fave bits from the book:
Great tag line for Threadbare: How do you piece together your life when the world is falling apart at the seams?
I adored the post-apocalyptic/post WWII, dark setting that had a subtle steampunk edge.
The coming-of-age romance aspect was delightful and just the right about of steam for young adult, (though this adult wanted more).
I fell in love with Rene and Amandine and the compelling, loveable, vivid unique supporting characters as well in Threadbare.
DeMers knowledge of fabric and sewing.
Threadbare, had great suspense and tension building with several wonderful twists, one I saw coming, the other surprised me in a delightful way.
Wonderful, creative, original character and place names like Tall-me, Glorious Halloway, Thatch, and Nieuwestad.
The fun use of slang like, cooking with gas, ducky shin-crackers, and more.
for more vintage book review check out www.girlinthejitterbugdress.com
The supporting cast of characters was delightful, and although I saw one of the twists coming, the other surprised me. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes the 1930s, 1940s, jazz, vintage fashion, and the art of sewing. Let yourself be carried away on a WWII alternative history, coming-of-age romance adventure!
Below are some of my fave bits from the book:
Great tag line for Threadbare: How do you piece together your life when the world is falling apart at the seams?
I adored the post-apocalyptic/post WWII, dark setting that had a subtle steampunk edge.
The coming-of-age romance aspect was delightful and just the right about of steam for young adult, (though this adult wanted more).
I fell in love with Rene and Amandine and the compelling, loveable, vivid unique supporting characters as well in Threadbare.
DeMers knowledge of fabric and sewing.
Threadbare, had great suspense and tension building with several wonderful twists, one I saw coming, the other surprised me in a delightful way.
Wonderful, creative, original character and place names like Tall-me, Glorious Halloway, Thatch, and Nieuwestad.
The fun use of slang like, cooking with gas, ducky shin-crackers, and more.
for more vintage book review check out www.girlinthejitterbugdress.com
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews