This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite
This is a review of the audio version of The Visionist: A Novel written by Rachel Urquhart. Polly Kimball’s father was cruel and violent. While her father slept, fifteen-year-old Polly loaded her mother and brother into the wagon. Polly took the lantern and went back into the house; she accidentally dropped the lantern, setting the house on fire. Polly knew she had just murdered her father. Her mother drove the wagon to the City of Hope, a Shaker village and left her children there for the community to care for. The members of the community believed that Polly was having visions through which she could contact their founder Ann Lee. Suddenly, Polly was drawing unwanted attention and was afraid her secret would be discovered.
I was particularly interested in this book because I have visited a Shaker settlement and found the lifestyle interesting. The author, Rachel Urqhhart, has well researched the Shakers, their beliefs and culture. The Visionist is told through three points of view: Polly’s, Simon, an arsonist investigator, and Charity, a Shaker teen. The characters of Polly and Charity have great depth. My heart went out to Polly who believed herself to be a murderer and felt responsible for her brother's well-being. The Visionist is a nice mix of mystery and drama with a bit of mysticism thrown in. Rachel Urquhart is talented author and The Visionist has a fascinating plot. The audio format of this book has three readers: Ellen Archer, Peter Ganim, and Ali Ahn. The readers’ voices add depth and emotion to this outstanding book. No matter what format you prefer, this is a read you won’t want to miss.
