Many aspects of “My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg” reminded me of “Gone With the Wind,” one of my favorite classics. The Civil War setting drew me in, especially since it was set in such a renowned location. In fact, that was one of the striking parts of the reading experience because most of the action took place prior to the famous Battle of Gettysburg, when the town was just a quaint place that outsiders would never have heard of. The heroine, Clarissa Ross, points this out herself, commenting that she does not want her idyllic town and its environs to be remembered for death and destruction. Given all of the tragic events that have occurred even recently in the U.S., this was a reminder that disasters can happen anywhere, and this is where faith comes in as we trust God that He is ultimately working all things for the good of His children.

Clarissa was a distinctive character, to be sure. In some ways she reminded me of Scarlett O’Hara, with her stubbornness and her temper. An inimitable redhead, Clarissa was very strongminded and outspoken, which I think was due in part to her being an only child and also to her living in the North. Had she been raised in the South, I think that the patriarchal society there would have had a deeper influence on her and she may have been somewhat more submissive. At first I found her character to be off-putting, but I soon grew to admire her and her antics. The romance, which is usually my least favorite part of a story, was very engaging because it was fraught with both danger and surprises. From a historical viewpoint, I was pleased that this novel pointed out that the Civil War was about much more than just the issue of slavery; states’ rights and the economy were at the forefront of the fighting, especially in the beginning. The many different levels of conflict in the book were well balanced by the Christian and romantic aspects, and I only wish that the story had been a bit longer in order to fill out some of the details more fully and allow for the plot to play out more slowly.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

I am most likely interrogating this text from the wrong perspective ;-), missing out on the historical and futuristical aspects of the story that is Gettysburg.

Set in the world of Michael Bunker´s Pennsylvania (which I have not read yet) Gettysburg *apparently* draws heavy comparison to the original and historical battle of the same name (of which I´ve hardly any knowledge, being European and all). 

A military Sci-Fi tale of two opposing forces, the rebel group of TRACE (no idea why this is capitalized or whatever the abbreviation stands for) vs Transport, the army of the oppressive regime of the New World, set in the future on an, at least for me, unknown planet, fighting over resources which are heavily needed. (How´s that for an run-on sentence?)

A precious metal named Okcillium, whatever that is, might be hidden in an more or less unguarded warehouse. With those "Okcy" TRACE scientists will be able to build laser weapons to fight Transport on an even playing field, they only need to secure it first. Easy job, in and out with a small, fast moving and mobile special unit, done. Mary Brenneman, the leader of the Bestimmung company, thinks it´s now or never, but as it turns out things are too good to be true, especially in war times. They always are.

Heavily relying on combat scenes with moves and counter-moves I felt at times a bit like being in a video game with the different battlefields in front of me. Like an observer without having the possibility to interfere I watched as lives are lost, and questions are asked if it is really worth dying for.

Admittetly I was lost a bit in the surroundings due lack of knowledge of the world that story plays in, even Gettysburg definitely works as a standalone. I do suspect those fans of Pennsylvania might get more out of it as I did this moment, as should history buffs with an interest in Sci-Fi. Which I hope is not mutually exclusive. I´m sure those hidden Easter Eggs, details based on the original battle of Gettysburg are a delight, just I was unable to find them. Which is okay, I think, since I enjoyed the story for what it is. Even without any real knowledge of the battle itself, the characters or anything about the war they are fighting in. 

The Sci-Fi aspects range from scary, iE implants in the brain to connect to the internet and to eachother, to familiar, like drones and laser weapons. While this part of the story was less interesting to me, the characters were. Starting with Mary to the almost comical Stugs to the gut wrenching appearance of Pusher who lost her unit in the battle. And damn you, Chris Pourteau, it´s now the second time in as many days you made me cry. This can´t continue, I tell you. :)

While Gettysburg is mostly action packed it has it´s humorous moments, as much as human moments of quiet, intimate understanding between the characters. And those were the ones I truly liked. The characterization is marvelous, which seems to be a trademark of Chris Pourteau´s writing. Complex and real, those are more than only names or voices, but someone to care for.

And maybe some times some things are really worth dying for.

I was so busy with school in November that I didn't get a chance to make a post about the books that I read that month, so I'm combining my November and December books here! I'm pretty proud of how much I was able to read with everything that I had going on. I wasn't quite at the rate that I was at over the summer, but I was able to read more books than I've been able to since school started, which is wonderful!

Picketts Charge, the suicidal charge led by Robert E. Lee on the last day of Gettysburg, serves as the powerful climax of this Civil War novel, told from the unique perspectives of three girls.
Thirteen-year-old Annie Gordon, disguised as a boy, sells herself as a substitute soldier and joins the Portsmouth Rifles of the Ninth Virginia Army as they march north to Gettysburg. In Gettysburg lives fourteen-year-old Tillie Pierce, the frivolous daughter of a local merchant whose romanticized notion of war is quickly disabused once the fighting begins. Also in Gettysburg are Grace Bryan and her father, who refuse to flee with the other free blacks who fear that the rebels will arrest them as fugitive slaves.
The powerful, gripping novel follows the fates of these girls, fates that reflect the tragedies and triumphs, the humanity, heartache, and heroism of this most dreadful Civil War battle. (source)