Overview

"A sulfur sky poisoned her family and her heart. Now revenge tastes sweeter than justice. It's 1900. In a Pennsylvania coal town tainted by corruption and pollution, Charlotte's world collapses when her parents meet a tragic end. Sent to a foster family in a Maryland fishing village, she's fueled by grief and embarks on a relentless quest for justice against the ruthless coal boss, Nels Pritchard. But Charlotte is no ordinary girl. She shares the fiery spirit of her father, whose powerful speeches inspired worker riots. With a burning desire for vengeance, she sets out to uncover the truth behind Pritchard's crimes, unearthing a shocking connection between the town's toxic air and the lifeless fish washing up on the shore of her Chesapeake Bay foster town. To expose the truth, Charlotte builds a network of unexpected allies. There are gutsy suffragists, a literary society of teenage girls willing to print the truth... and Weylan. The captivating young man lost his own family to Pritchard's poison. He offers support, but Charlotte questions his true motives when he lures her to break the law. Could she be falling into a dangerous trap, leading her to a fate worse than poison? With her unwavering spirit and determination, Charlotte must forge alliances and navigate a web of treachery before Pritchard seeks his own ruthless revenge. From Midwest Book Review: ""The astute psychological depth of this story gives it an attractive countenance even for readers not normally given to choosing historical fiction... The blend of social, political, and business interest arrives with psychological inspections designed to encourage readers to think about adversity, love, redemption, and vigilante-type justice pursuits."" - D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review The newest book by award-winning author Jennifer M. Lane is perfect for fans of Jeannette Walls' Hang the Moon and the fiery protagonist in The Hunger Games. Join Charlotte in this small town, coming-of-age dystopian historical saga as she finds resilience, courage, and triumph in her search for identity, independence, and her true home."

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9781736669129

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Reviews

"Downriver by Jennifer Lane receives four stars from The Historical Fiction Company ""Through Lane's vibrant prose and compelling narrative, we witness Charlotte's journey from a place of uncertainty and fear to one of clarity and determination. ""With a hopeful and determined ending, ""Downriver"" concludes on a strong note of resilience and trust in the future. Through the voices of the protagonist and her partner, a portrait of the fight against injustice and corruption is painted in a town plagued by adversities. ""Downriver by Jennifer M. Lane is a captivating and profound reading experience, skillfully blending emotion and suspense to create a memorable story. Through well-rounded characters and a well-constructed plot, the author takes us on a journey full of twists and lessons. From resilience to the power of hope and solidarity, the novel explores universal themes with sensitivity and depth. With its captivating narrative style and a story full of lessons, ""Downriver"" is certainly a book that will stay in readers' minds long after the final page is turned."" ***** ""In her novel Downriver, Jennifer M. Lane uses rich language and detail to tell the story of the brave and feisty seventeen-year-old protagonist... The author convincingly tells this story that takes place during the early 1900s, a time when teen orphans often have to live with people ready to exploit them, women have few rights, and communities have little ability to fight those in power. The story is timely-we still suffer the effects of the coal and oil industry, especially with climate change. --Hillary Tiefer, author of several short stories published in literary journals and the forthcoming novel, The Secret Ranch (Histria Books)."

"Downriver by Jennifer Lane receives four stars from The Historical Fiction Company ""Downriver by Jennifer M. Lane is a captivating and profound reading experience, skillfully blending emotion and suspense to create a memorable story. Through well-rounded characters and a well-constructed plot, the author takes us on a journey full of twists and lessons. From resilience to the power of hope and solidarity, the novel explores universal themes with sensitivity and depth. With its captivating narrative style and a story full of lessons, ""Downriver"" is certainly a book that will stay in readers' minds long after the final page is turned."" ***** From Midwest Book Review: ""The astute psychological depth of this story gives it an attractive countenance even for readers not normally given to choosing historical fiction... The blend of social, political, and business interest arrives with psychological inspections designed to encourage readers to think about adversity, love, redemption, and vigilante-type justice pursuits."" - D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review ***** ""...Jennifer M. Lane uses rich language and detail to tell the story of the brave and feisty seventeen-year-old protagonist... The author convincingly tells this story that takes place during the early 1900s, a time when teen orphans often have to live with people ready to exploit them, women have few rights, and communities have little ability to fight those in power. The story is timely-we still suffer the effects of the coal and oil industry, especially with climate change."" --Hillary Tiefer, author of several short stories published in literary journals and the forthcoming novel, The Secret Ranch (Histria Books). ***** ""I really liked Charlie... She is kind to her brother and friends, matter-of-factly to adults who patronise her, and fierce when facing her enemies, almost to the point of self-destruction. And enemies she has! ""The locations and setting are very well-researched, as is the background into mining communities in Pennsylvania at the time. The plot points at the lack of workers' and women's rights, and the environmental impact of mining portrayed in the novel creates an underlying (fictional) threat to people's very existence not only inside the mines, but also in their home environment, and beyond. It is ever-present, which adds a strong sense of urgency and danger to the already intelligent plot."" -- Cathie Dunn, Ruins & Reading"

"Downriver by Jennifer Lane receives four stars from The Historical Fiction Company ""Through Lane's vibrant prose and compelling narrative, we witness Charlotte's journey from a place of uncertainty and fear to one of clarity and determination. ""With a hopeful and determined ending, ""Downriver"" concludes on a strong note of resilience and trust in the future. Through the voices of the protagonist and her partner, a portrait of the fight against injustice and corruption is painted in a town plagued by adversities. ""Downriver by Jennifer M. Lane is a captivating and profound reading experience, skillfully blending emotion and suspense to create a memorable story. Through well-rounded characters and a well-constructed plot, the author takes us on a journey full of twists and lessons. From resilience to the power of hope and solidarity, the novel explores universal themes with sensitivity and depth. With its captivating narrative style and a story full of lessons, ""Downriver"" is certainly a book that will stay in readers' minds long after the final page is turned."""

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