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It’s pretty humiliating to admit, but I’ve never flown in a plane before today. So wouldn’t you think that I’d be feeling pretty jazzed right now? Instead I keep grabbing onto these armrests as I ask myself why on earth I ever agreed to come on this frightening trip.…
Affectionately teased as a “country bumpkin,” nineteen year-old Maddie has never been one to explore new territory. Her first trip outside of the country with her Aunt Sid and Sid’s godson, Ryan, promises an exhilarating adventure. Northern Ireland is more captivating than she even imagined–and Ryan is offering plenty of intrigue himself.
As Aunt Sid researches peace camps, Maddie and Ryan explore Ireland’s rich landscape. During the journey, Maddie begins to discover more about what she wants from life, while developing a deeper friendship with her irresistible traveling companion.
When Maddie and Ryan dig for the truth about the IRA car bomb that killed Ryan’s father years ago, questions about the past accumulate. Unable to let go of growing suspicions in this mysterious country, Maddie finds herself on a dangerous journey, a journey that will lead her to the greatest discovery of all.
I have always wanted to visit Ireland. I really want to see the green hills and listen to bagpipes and see the sheep. In fact I've already made plans to go to Ireland for my honeymoon one day. Heh. Reading this book was like taking the trip from my armchair. I learned lots about the culture and the people from reading. Little tidbits like stores not having bottled water or biking tours made the book more authentic like a guidebook. I learned quite a bit from reading this book about the IRA. I always used to get them confused with the IRS. This book made me understand more about what the conflict is going on in that country and how religion is a big factor in the fighting. It was sad to read about all those affected by the fighting. I also appreciated how the situation with drinking was portrayed. I understand how Maddie felt about seeing Ryan and her aunt drinking and being uncomfortable. But I also liked it how Maddie had to struggle with trying to explain why just having one drink is wrong. No one ever forced her to drink a beer, she did it on her own and then found out she didn't like it. I could have told Maddie that Guinness is horrible tasting, exactly how she described it! Drinking is not promoted in this book at all, it just gives a view that maybe as Christians we should find out why we say no to something before condemning others. I really enjoyed reading this book. It definitely makes me want to go to Ireland now more than ever. Teens will really enjoy reading this series.
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Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Madison Chase spent her first nineteen years of life on a farm so she is naïve about the world. Thus when her Aunt Sid, a reporter investigating Catholic-Protestant peace camps, invites her to tour Ireland with her, she accepts with trepidation that her lack of sophistication will show especially to her worship exciting relative.------------------ On the trek, the godson of her aunt Ryan McIntire accompanies them. Melody is attracted to him from the start especially romanticizing his family¿s deep involvement with the IRA. However, as Madison places her aunt and Ryan on a pedestal, she begins to see cracks in their armor though her adulation could prove dangerous for one and all when she follows in Sid¿s footsteps by investigating what happened four years ago when a bomb killed Ryan¿s dad because someone wants the truth to remain buried.-------------- Fans will believe that they are accompanying Aunt Sid on her trek through Ireland as Melody Carson paints a vivid background that has the senses activated. The story targets a young adult audience, but all readers will appreciate this coming of age story as the young heroine begins to see the flaws in her aunt and Ryan, but humanizing them makes her love for them so much more. The intrigue involving the death of Ryan¿s dad augments a novel from a spinning planet ¿ Ireland.----------- Harriet Klausner
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Posted March 9, 2013
I really want to go to ireland great book highly recomend!!!!
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Posted January 25, 2013
Ireland was an amazing book with realatable characters and captivating descriptins of a different country (something I really love in books). This book was funny, sweet, and interesting, and Maddie and Ryan were interesting characters and I loved seeing Maddie grow in her faith throughout the book. There was mystery and interesting sites and romance.
This is one of my favorite books.
I've always enjoyed learning about different cultures and countries, but most of the time the giant History books are boring and/or hard to read. That was why I really enjoyed this book. It's fictional and funny, but I actually learned a lot about Ireland while reading it, and it kept me entertained, too. Not only that but the struggles that the main character, Maddie goes through are real struggles that I think everyone faces. So, in short, it's a fictional book that doesn't feel like fiction. A great read!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Review by Jill Williamson<BR/><BR/>Farm girl Maddie Chase has never gone anywhere. That¿s why she jumps at the chance to travel to Ireland with her aunt Sid and Aunt Sid¿s godson, Ryan. Aunt Sid worked at the peace camps in Ireland back when she was in college and is working on an article about where some of those kids she counseled years ago are today. Ryan¿s mother¿Aunt Sid¿s best friend¿recently passed away. Ryan¿s father was from Ireland and he¿s hoping to piece together some clues to his past. Maddie helps her new friend look into the IRA car bomb that killed his dad. <BR/><BR/>This was a fun book. I liked the idea of traveling to a new place only to find out how truly small our world is. Maddie and Ryan find his distant relatives, and Maddie stumbles onto a secret about Aunt Sid¿s past. The mystery of it was exciting, the history and current issues with the IRA was fascinating, and the characters were fun. Maddie also comes to discover that sometimes Christians judge people without even realizing that¿s what they¿re doing. I highly recommend this book.
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Overview
It’s pretty humiliating to admit, but I’ve never flown in a plane before today. So wouldn’t you think that I’d be feeling pretty jazzed right now? Instead I keep grabbing onto these armrests as I ask myself why on earth I ever agreed to come on this frightening trip.…
Affectionately teased as a “country bumpkin,” nineteen year-old Maddie has never been one to explore new territory. Her first trip outside of the country with her Aunt Sid and ...