Mercury in Mock Printz 2026

Mar 12, 2012 Mark rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery, young-adult-literature, death-and-dying, graphic-novels, coming-of-age

This graphic novel follows two intersecting stories, both occurring in Nova Scotia. One is set in current day NS, and follows Tara, a high schooler who has recently lost her farmhouse to fire, and is living with relatives while her mother has left town to find work. Tara's been homeschooled by her mother for the past several years, so entering high school is somewhat rocky for her. The second story takes place in 1859 NS, on the same plot of farmland, and follows Josey, the same age as Tara, bac This graphic novel follows two intersecting stories, both occurring in Nova Scotia. One is set in current day NS, and follows Tara, a high schooler who has recently lost her farmhouse to fire, and is living with relatives while her mother has left town to find work. Tara's been homeschooled by her mother for the past several years, so entering high school is somewhat rocky for her. The second story takes place in 1859 NS, on the same plot of farmland, and follows Josey, the same age as Tara, back when the area was much more wild and unsettled. Josey's family receives a visit from an entrepreneur/prospector, who convinces Josey's father that there is gold waiting to be plucked from their land, and they can share the profits. Josey's mother, gifted with visions, is sure that no good can come of this mine, but her pleas fall on deaf ears. The gold, discovered, stolen and hidden, becomes a link between Josey and Tara, once Tara discovers an old locket that had been hidden in the farmhouse, and her talent for dowsing reveals itself.

This book is probably closer to 4 stars, but I know I'm still in the midst of my Cameron Post hangover, so the next few books I read will probably suffer from being held up (unfairly though it may be) against that incredible novel. But, since I had enjoyed Larson's previous work, I thought this would be a good read. It didn't disappoint at all, but I found the stories a little unevenly developed. Tara's story takes some time to establish, while Josey's doesn't, but I found myself much more intrigued by the 1859 events, and wanting to know more about that family, than Tara's. And beyond those two characters, there really weren't any others in whom I felt any investment - they're just there in the background.

The artwork here is excellent, with black and white strongly expressing the dark, foreboding wilderness of 19th century Nova Scotia. Larson also transitions well between the two stories, sometimes using just a small item/image to establish the link, like a dinner plate. But the stories are well-integrated, and graphic novel fans will find a lot to like in this one. ...more

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Nov 11, 2011 Samantha rated it really liked it

Set in Nova Scotia in both 1859 and present day this book tells two girls' stories on the same land. In 1859, Josey meets handsome Asa, a mysterious man with many secrets, including the secret ability to find gold on her family's farm. In present day, Tara is living with her cousin after her own house burns down. She discovers an heriloom necklace among her mother's old jewelry and finds that it has secret powers. She puts these powers to good use when she starts digging around her old farm for ...more

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Nov 05, 2014 Wendy rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, graphic-novel

Loved the idea more than the execution. Still a bit fuzzy on some of the 1850s plot. As is usually the case when I read graphic novels, I felt that a "real" book would have added more depth and made things clearer. However, I did enjoy the artwork and the glimpse into a different time and place, and the modern romance was pretty cute. ...more

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Jun 17, 2011 Erinn rated it really liked it

I love books with parallel storylines in different time periods, and this one did a great job of dwelling in each just long enough to reach a plot point, only to switch to the other! If anything, I would have liked it to be longer, but the graphics were great and accessible to readers who don't do graphic novels too often. ...more

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Sep 27, 2013 Jen rated it really liked it

Shelves: graphic-novel, ya

really neat graphic novel with two stories weaved through each other. slightly historical, in a sense. I think it might be fun to have a mercury necklace now...

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Feb 11, 2014 Carrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, graphic-novels, young-adult, historical-fiction

Two stories set on the same Nova Scotia property, though 150 years apart, are cleverly entertwined with alternating white and black backdrops in this graphic novel. Each story features a first love, a hunt for gold, and a dose of magical realism.

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