Blood and Silver by Vali Benson is a story from a 12-year-old girl’s perspective based in the 1880s era. Carissa Beaumont is sent to the boomtown of Tombstone, Arizona from California. She and her mother are employed (without payment) under Miss Lucille, the owner of a brothel. Her mother, Lisette is drugged and used for her beauty and singing talents. Things looked grim until they reached this new city which changed their lives forever. Carissa meets a few amazing people like the town’s sheriff, a kind doctor,  a new friend Mai-Lin and the town’s prominent dignitary-Chinese Mary, who helps her escape her miserable fate.

Blood and Silver is an enthralling western with superb attention to detail and riveting characters. The story has some funny innuendo which will give you the giggles throughout the book, but these lighthearted moments breakup the otherwise grim nature of rough western life.

The friendship between innocent Carissa and her sarcastic brothel friend Yvonne is perfect for the young adult audience. China Mary is not a native English speaker and that is depicted spectacularly. Her dialogue will keep you waiting for her parts in the book. Carissa, despite her juvenile age has to make tough decisions for herself. She is  a spectacular protagonist. The author has created a strong female lead that has a unique appeal.

The book is short and crisp. This is more of a novella, but in any case we have just enough room to set the scene, setup characters, and set them on a perilous adventure that I enjoyed reading. There’s a lot going in the story in a short amount of time, but author Vali Benson’s writing ensures we never lose track of what’s happening and why, and that balance and relentless pace make the book suspenseful.

Blood and Silver is a captivating coming of age story following the growth of a demure little girl into a smart and courageous individual. This is an enthralling western that gets the historical details right for the history buffs and ramps up the drama for those looking for a thrilling young adult adventure that transports you to another time and place.

Pages: 142 | ASIN: B086R4RBF3