Book Review: Where Bluebirds Fly by Brynn Chapman

Where Bluebirds Fly by Brynn Chapman
Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal/Historical/Science Fiction Romance)
Date Published: March 8, 2013
Publisher: Self

Verity Montague is a servant in 1692 Salem. Her flaming red hair and mismatched eyes make her a prime target for accusation of witchcraft. Orphaned during the Indian raids, she and her brother with Asperger's Syndrome come to live with the key historical figures of the trials-The Putnams. They keep their synesthesia secret- that days, months and years appear as color in Verity's mind, and for John, that symphonies play in a Fantasia-style performance of colors and geometric patterns.

Truman Johnstone 's ability to discern people's expressions, and decipher if they were lying- made him an outspoken child. Being different kept him from being adopted till he was fourteen. He now runs an orphanage for problem youths, and is a feeding therapist in his desire to help children deal with their peculiarities. To give them the childhood he never had.

The harvest festival corn maze Truman creates every year has an unwelcome visitor. Children hear disembodied voices skipping through the corn maze amid the backdrop of eerie orchestral music. In every year of the calendar, intermittent doors of time swing open and closed, so long as the cornfield stands. 

In societies set on sameness-all are outsiders. 

They learn the traits that make us outcasts, may be the very ones that make us great, and that true love may heal all, and even transcend time.

Where Bluebirds Fly by Brynn Chapman takes it's readers back and forth in time between the Salem Witch Trials and present day. Verity has Synethesia, and her brother has Asperger's Syndrome. In a time where it doesn't take much to be accused of being a witch, poor Verity becomes a prime target. Truman also has Synethesia. He is from present day and works with orphaned children, many of whom also have problems and/or disorders. Though these two are from two completely different times, there is a rift in time and they are able to meet. This rift isn't predictable and there are things that control it which I haven't completely figured out.

I thought the author captured the hysteria of Salem quite well. This is a sad time in history that has always fascinated me as it has many others, and this book gave us a pretty good glimpse of the mind set of the time. It showed many sides to human nature, both good and bad.

The attraction between True and Verity was pretty instantaneous. They fell in love fast. They had much in common though, and the cultural gap between them didn't hold them back. They learned from each other and adapted.

There was so much going on within this plot, it could be a bit overwhelming at times, and I'm not sure I fully grasped everything that was going on behind the scenes. The story ends in a way that leaves it open for a sequel, and I hope there is one because I was left with so many unanswered questions.

Where Bluebirds Fly by Brynn Chapman was kindly provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own.

Check out my review of Boneseeker by Brynn Chapman and Heart Murmurs by Brynn Chapman writing as R.R. Smythe

Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Brynn Chapman is the daughter of two teachers. Her writing reflects her passions: science, history and love—not necessarily in that order. In real life, the geek gene runs strong in her family, as does the Asperger’s syndrome. Her writing reflects her experience as a pediatric therapist and her interactions with society’s downtrodden. In fiction, she’s a strong believer in underdogs and happily-ever-afters. She also writes non-fiction and lectures on the subjects of autism and sensory integration and is a medical contributor to online journal The Age of Autism.

She also writes under the pseudonym R.R. Smythe . Check out my interview with the author as R. R. Smythe!

To learn more about Brynn Chapman and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.