The Kitchen House

Read March 2011

My rating: 5 / 5

"Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin. Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk. The Kitchen House is a tragic story of page-turning suspense, exploring the meaning of family, where love and loyalty prevail."

My Review: AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING! I would recommend this book to everyone! The story is so captivatingm and I love all the characters (except for the ones you are meant not to like) I felt so bad for Labrinia, such a tough little girl with a bright future who just wanted everyone to be happy, and to relive the past. I loved the writing style and couldn't put this book down, and when I did, all I could think about was when I was going to pick it up again. I hope everyone enjoys this book as much as I did!