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In the Shadow of Blackbirds
In the Shadow of Blackbirds | Cat Winters
In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to sances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, shes forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first lovea boy who died in battlereturns in spirit form. But what does he want from her? Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time. Praise for In The Shadow of Blackbirds STARRED REVIEW "Winterss masterful debut novel is an impressively researched marriage of the tragedies of wartime, the 1918 flu epidemic, the contemporaneous Spiritualism craze, and a chilling love story and mystery." Publishers Weekly, starred review STARRED REVIEW "More than anything, this is a story of the breaking point between sanity and madness, delivered in a straightforward and welcoming teen voice." Booklist, starred review STARRED REVIEW "Winters deftly combines mystery, ghost story, historical fiction, and romance. Excellent pacing and deliciously creepy descriptions School Library Journal, starred review "This engrossing combination of historical fiction, ghost story, psychological thriller, and straight-up whodunit moves between genres with stunning ease, maximizing the tropes of each to satisfying effect." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Winters strikes just the right balance between history and ghost story, neatly capturing the tenor of the times, as growing scientific inquiry collided with heightened spiritualist curiosity." Kirkus Reviews "Mary Shelley is a likable, sympathetic heroine, and through her story, teen readers will get a glimpse of a fascinating time period, made all the more real by the haunting historic photographs that pepper the novel, from soldiers in trenches to policemen in gauze masks. Part romance, part mystery and part ghost story, In the Shadow of Blackbirds makes palpable a terrifying time that brought the horror of death into the homes of millions." Bookpage "One of the creepiest (in a good way) covers of the season! What's inside, historical Y.A. set at the time of the Spanish influenza, is equally haunting." The Atlantic Wire Cat Winters debut novel is creepy good. The Boston Globe "Romance fans will love Stephens ghostly visits to Mary Shelley, confirming that their romance is as steamy as ever. Mystery lovers will enjoy the satisfactory resolution of the puzzle. Recommend this title to fans of Libba Brays The Diviners." VOYA "In this book, the passion of first love and the paranoia of the times are realistically and movingly rendered." The Oregonian "Beautifully written and absolutely riveting. I enjoyed everything about this book." The Statesman Journal Award William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist 2014 School Library Journal Best Book of 2013 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults
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Lauranahe
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Pickpick

This was a fun, quick read! YA ghost story during the 1918 flu pandemic. Fairly predictable, but great for spooky season.

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abookdragonsretreat
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Pickpick

This was an absolutely extraordinary spooky book that I enjoyed so much. It had the perfect balance of 1918 historical accuracy mixed in with an eerie atmosphere with the war and the flu. I loved the storyline and the mystery of Mary Shelly trying to find out how her true love died whilst seeing his ghost. The pace was fast and the plot twists were so unexpected! The ending was perfect and bittersweet. Another great Cat Winters novel!

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suvata
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For those who want to read more about the last pandemic:

1918 Flu Epidemic (84 books)
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/75599.1918_

Lcsmcat Have you read any of them? Recommendations? 4y
suvata @Lcsmcat The only one I have read is 4y
40 likes2 comments
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vkois88
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Also #CurrentlyReading this one on the Kindle. Borrowed from #Libby. The story of Mary Shelley Black, and takes place in San Diego during the flu epidemic. Featuring a side cast of characters including someone who takes photos of people with the spirits of their lost loved ones. I'm only a few chapters in so far, but I'm definitely intrigued.

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SassenachTheBookWizard
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Pickpick

I legit do not understand how Cat Winters isn't more popular. She always writes books that are pretty creepy with some historical fiction helping me learn about the time period. The mystery is always good and her female characters are so well crafted. I always feel my heart clench and pout when I read the ends because it hurts when the books end. This is a very Cat Winters book and I just loved it. Perfect for October

62 likes2 stack adds
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SassenachTheBookWizard
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Time for some creepy shit!

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Lauren_reading
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Pickpick

I wanted to read a ghost story, because usually I avoid them at all costs. I‘m so glad I picked this one up. It‘s such a cool mix of ghost story, spiritualism, and historical fiction. And while creepy, didn‘t freak me out!

Daughter-of-words Her other book The Uninvited was very good too! 6y
56 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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SaraHasClass
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Pickpick

This YA historical fiction book is a good old fashioned ghost story. It's 1918 at the height of the Influenza epidemic and the end of WWI, when 16 year old heroine, Shell, finds herself solving a mystery amongst the superstitious living and dead. Thanks @Garrettdos21 for suggesting this spooky tale!

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hes7
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Pickpick

I had hoped this book would end differently somehow... Still, it manages to be a satisfying read as it explores the horrors of World War I, the flu pandemic of 1918, and the spiritualism of the early twentieth century with great drama and mystery. #LitsyReadingChallenge

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aurora.dawn
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1. Library 📚
2. Favorite fictional character(s) 🦄
3. Always cry a bit 😢
4. Hmmm...it ultimately depends on the book. I don't want to read just any book on the United States... 😲
5. Always read the back cover blurb 📖

#BookishWouldYouRather
Thank you, @Kalalalatja 😄

Kalalalatja Thank you for playing! 👏 7y
23 likes1 comment
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tragically-beautiful-stars
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A pleasant surprise. The sunflower made a nice addition to my reading spot at work. #work #intheshadowofblackbirds #catwinters #youngadult #historicalfiction

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MaleficentBookDragon
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Breakfast on the porch.#readathongoals #bookandbreakfast

1️⃣post office to mail out the next #whodunitbymail offering to @TheWordJar and the books I promised to @Abbymom
2️⃣#libraryhaul
3️⃣stop at the bakery for my weekly French toast muffin and cupcakes

My #24in48 can now continue.

It's starting to get hot and sticky so I'll be heading into the air conditioning soon.

coffeewithbooks Thank you so much . I'm so excited 😊 7y
kspenmoll Breakfast looks yummy. 7y
MaleficentBookDragon @TheWordJar did you get the #whodunitbymail package I sent? 7y
TheWordJar Yes!! Sorry I haven't posted yet. It arrived the day before I had to go out of town, and I just opened it up! Thanks!! 7y
MaleficentBookDragon @TheWordJar Good. I was afraid it got lost. A book I sent a friend never made it to her. I received part of the envelope back with a note saying the piece was found in Philly. 7y
58 likes5 comments
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MaleficentBookDragon
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I'm trying to decide between reading and starting Mr. Robot.

EchoLogical 😋 7y
AlaMich Cookies 🍪😋!!! 7y
Rachellynnwright As much as I love books, that's actually a really hard decision because Mr. Robot is SO GOOD!! 👍 7y
See All 6 Comments
LauraJ Mr. Robot! 7y
minkyb Tough choice. I would have to eat the cookies first! 7y
65 likes6 comments
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MaleficentBookDragon
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It was a long my day at work. Too hot to cook, so I'm celebrating national daiquiri day. #booksandbooze

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MaleficentBookDragon
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Laundry day. At least the laundromat is pretty empty right now.
#livingthedream

tpixie Hated dragging clothes, detergent, etc, to the laundrymat, but loved getting all loads washed in one fell swoop! 👚👕👖👗 7y
MaleficentBookDragon @tpixie that is the one good thing. I don't have to spend hours doing it. 7y
tpixie 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y
LauraJ My dream is to someday have my own washer and dryer...or at least an apartment with them. 7y
44 likes4 comments
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MaleficentBookDragon
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This book has a lot of great little lines so far.
"You're patient when you work on a project you love."

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MaleficentBookDragon
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Great, and sad, quote. Is it really much different today?

EchoLogical How are you liking the book? I tried reading it but had to bail. 7y
MaleficentBookDragon @EchoLogical I'm just on page 50 so we'll see. 7y
44 likes1 stack add2 comments
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MaleficentBookDragon
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Up next, another #blameitonlitsy title. A heroine named after Mary Shelley AND spirit photography? I'm in! 👻

elkeOriginal I forgot as a photographer you may dig this book even more than a regular person! 🙌 7y
47 likes1 stack add2 comments
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The_book_foxes
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Pickpick
10 likes1 stack add
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Jas16
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Mary Shelley Black does not believe in seances, ghosts, or signs from the #afterlife. What then is she supposed to think when the spirit of her former boyfriend starts appearing? #junetunz

flip58 Ooooh, this looks good. 7y
Cinfhen EVERYTHING I DO BELIEVE in❤️❤️❤️ 7y
elkeOriginal I LOVE this book 💕 7y
57 likes1 stack add3 comments
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radesilets
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Mehso-so

The beginning was a slow build, easing into the tension of this world. But once the ending picks up, it becomes a whirlwind. For this reason alone, it's not one of my favorites, but I'd still would have read it knowing this. The pacing was too slow then too fast. However, I adored the writing. The world and characters were rich and full and wonderful.

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pocketmermaid
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Yikes -- 40 minutes left in my audiobook and only 30 minutes left on my dinner break!

10 likes1 stack add
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JessClark78
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It's 1918, a time of brutal war and deadly flu outbreak. Mourners seek comfort through seances and spirit photography. Mary Shelley Black never believed in ghosts, but she's forced to rethink her beliefs when her first love returns to her as a suffering spirit, in need of her help. Part mystery, ghost story, historical fiction, and romance. #thisshouldbeamovie
#seasonsreadings2016 @RealLifeReading

48 likes8 stack adds
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KCH
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“Never let hatred, fear, and ignorance get the best of you. Keep bettering yourself so you can make the world around you better, for nothing can ever improve without the brightest, bravest, kindest, and most imaginative individuals rising above the chaos.”
― Cat Winters, In the Shadow of Blackbirds

2 likes1 stack add
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crystalbrokke
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Pickpick

This novel actually takes place in autumn of 1918, during a terrible, awful, crude world of war, flu, and a whole lot of death. Mary Shelley Black is a 16 year old girl, who has unique talents. Between running from the flu, awaiting her love at war, her dad getting locked up, spirit photography, and seances.. she's a pretty busy gal. Cat Winters, hasn't let me down yet again.

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Daughter-of-words
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Pickpick

This book is set during the Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918. Part ghost story part mystery with a dash of romance. I picked this for book with a scary cover cause I'm terrified of ghosts and the idea of ghostly apparitions appearing in photos freaks me out 👻#AllHallowsRead #scarycover

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crystalbrokke
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"A shiver snaked down my spine. Instead of responding, I read the text below the photograph aloud: "'Miss Mary Shelley Black and an admiring spirit. Beauty resides within the sacred studio of Mr. Julius Embers, Spiritualist Photographer.'" "

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magicineverybook
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Pickpick

Cat Winters novels are perfect for spooky autumnal reading! 🎃

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elkeOriginal
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This is still one of my favorite books and was Cat Winter's #debutnovel - and was a finalist for the William Morris YA Debut award. Set in San Diego in 1918 during WWI and the devastating flu epidemic, it is a creepy time when death is everywhere and people become enamored with ghost/spiritual photography. It's interesting, moving, and mysterious. SO good.
#booktober #debutnovels

brilliantglow I just downloaded this one last night! Can't wait to read it 7y
[DELETED] 1409720085 I just recently discovered Cat Winters! I plan on reading "The Uninvited" this month. 7y
elkeOriginal @brilliantglow Great timing! @emilydecato That's a good one for October! Still on my TBR... 7y
MagpieBricolage I have to of Winter's books next to me right now. Blackbirds was stunning! Love it to pieces. 7y
elkeOriginal @29Shift @emilydecato I just saw she has a new one out this week too - it goes onto the shopping list! 7y
38 likes5 stack adds5 comments
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Collin.hall234
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Mehso-so

I thought that this book was ok. This book had a lot of suspenseful and confusing moments but that's what I liked about it. If you are in to mysterious books that have weird twists then this is deffenatly the book for you

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elkeOriginal
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Pickpick

I cannot recommend this highly enough. It is haunting, and moving, and fascinating historically. SUCH an amazing book. I read it ages ago and still often think of it because it was THAT good. #Recommendsday

MichellisLife I loved this book I read it with a book club I started years ago. It was a favorite among the whole group. 8y
8 likes1 stack add1 comment
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alexalovesbooks
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Pickpick

Winters is a great writer. She combines historical and paranormal effectively, with a dash of mystery too. I found this crazy compelling!

7 likes4 stack adds