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Walk on Earth a Stranger (Gold Seer Trilogy, 1) Paperback – September 6, 2016

by Rae Carson (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 719 ratings
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A New York Times bestseller and National Book Award longlist selection

The first book in a new trilogy from acclaimed New York Times–bestselling author Rae Carson. A young woman with the magical ability to sense the presence of gold must flee her home, taking her on a sweeping and dangerous journey across Gold Rush–era America. Walk on Earth a Stranger begins an epic saga from one of the finest writers of young adult literature.

Lee Westfall has a secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around her. Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her. Left with nothing, Lee disguises herself as a boy and takes to the trail across the country. Gold was discovered in California, and where else could such a magical girl find herself, find safety? 

Rae Carson, author of the acclaimed Girl of Fire and Thorns series, dazzles with the first book in the Gold Seer Trilogy,introducing a strong heroine, a perilous road, a fantastical twist, and a slow-burning romance, as only she can.

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Gold Seer Trilogy
  2. Print length
    464 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Greenwillow Books
  5. Publication date
    September 6, 2016
  6. Grade level
    8 - 9
  7. Reading age
    13 - 17 years
  8. Dimensions
    5.31 x 1.05 x 8 inches
  9. ISBN-10
    006224292X
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0062242921
  11. Lexile measure
    740L
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Simply terrific—tense and exciting, while gently and honestly addressing the brutal hardships of the westward migration. …[Leah] takes center stage as a smart, resourceful, determined, and realistic heroine who embodies the age-old philosophy that it isn’t what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Lee…is a smart, feisty, and likable protagonist who encounters all the hardships one would expect on the arduous journey West…the fast-paced plot, a hint of mild romance, and the added element of fantasy make this stand out.” — School Library Journal

“Carson is known for her world-building and strong female characters and she handles everything with carefully constructed, well-researched aplomb. It’s a book that illuminates an important segment of American history…sustaining YA interest through adventure, fantasy, and romance.” — Booklist (starred review)

“With an organically diverse cast, three-dimensional characters, a vividly evoked setting, and the lightest touch of romance, Carson’s novel captures the trepidation and exhilaration of journeying into the unknown.” — The Horn Book

“An empowering and powerful read perfect for one who enjoys history and adventure. …Carson takes us on a wild wagon journey peppered with drama and mystery.” — Romantic Times BOOKclub

“Pure storytelling gold. …The author capably crosses genres and breaks stereotypes, and the result is an absorbing adventure that only hints at the thrills that will surely come in the next two books.” — The Daily Summit

“Carson’s world-building skills are extraordinary…The author paints an early America that is teeming with people from an array of backgrounds and beliefs-the diversity of the characters is as integral to the plot of the book as it was to shaping the United States.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“Lee is an ambitious, generous, kind and scrappy character…Fans of Carson’s work will enjoy this road-trip-turned-Western, and newcomers will love the flair she brings to her characters and settings.” — Deseret News

“Carson does nice work adding nuance to her side characters, showing minor evolutions that challenge the racism, sexism, and classism deeply rooted in most of the people Leah encounters…Fantasy readers will likely find Leah and her gold-sensing core to be intriguingly different than the usual heroine.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

About the Author

Rae Carson is the author of two bestselling and award-winning trilogies, as well as the acclaimed stand-alone novels Any Sign of Life and The Empire of Dreams. Her debut, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, was named a William C. Morris Award finalist and an Andre Norton Award finalist. Walk on Earth a Stranger was longlisted for the 2015 National Book Award and won the Western Writers of America Spur Award. Her books tend to contain adventure, magic, and smart girls who make (mostly) smart choices. Originally from California, Rae Carson now lives in Ohio with her husband. www.raecarson.com

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Greenwillow Books; Reprint edition (September 6, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 006224292X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062242921
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 17 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 740L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 1.05 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 719 ratings

About the author

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Rae Carson

Rae Carson

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Rae Carson is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of award-winning fantasy and science fiction. She lives in Arizona with her husband.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
719 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Karen Blue
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved every second of this adventure!
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2015
Verified Purchase
I am not a big fan of historical fiction. I am also not a big fan of westerns, this books mostly takes place in the wild west. Admittedly, this story starts in Georgia, and then joins in the great Gold Rush, so it encompasses both. I still wanted to read it primarily because (the cover, and) it features a girl who can sense gold. Think Midas, but instead of creating gold, she can find it. That would be pretty handy in the time of the Gold Rush to California, don’t ya think?

This was my first Rae Carson book. I have been completely won over. I will now read anything she writes. I loved every second of this adventure story. Leah “Lee” Westfall is such an amazing character. She is strong and smart, and she has so much depth. I love her story so much. Lee has an amazing talent but as a women in late 1800’s Georgia, she doesn’t have many options. Raised by her parents to run free and think for herself, her world comes crashing down when someone murders both her parents. Her best friend, Jefferson, runs off to join in the California gold rush. Once her greedy uncle takes over, she knows she needs to go, too. A girl cannot travel alone, so she makes herself look like a boy, she already thinks like one, and she goes to meet him.

The road to California is full of danger. Lee is in peril from from day one; she is afraid of being found out and drug back to her greedy uncle, she is in danger being robbed because she is alone, and because she has no option people take advantage of a boy who is willing to work for company. Fair isn’t something that comes along often. I struggled right along with Lee as she hoped against hope to meet Jefferson in Independence, MO. Lee comes against thieves and good christian folk that would just as soon as spit on you then take you in, but some how she stays positive. The reunion was worth the wait, and the trek they take through hell’s gate and then through the desert kept me turning pages into the wee hours of the night.

The thing that really made this story so amazing for me, besides the awesome protagonist and the awesome premise, is that the world was so easy to imagine. The author did a spectacular job of describing the conditions of the journey, even the girly stuff no one wants to mention, and it felt so flawless. I could easily imagine the hunger, the sweat, the harsh environment, and I also awed at the spectacular views that must have been witnessed on that journey. This author really has talent to make me forget that the story was over 400 pages, and I still didn’t want it to end.

All I can say, without flailing even more than I already am is GET THIS BOOK. Walk on Earth a Stranger is amazing and had so many feels. I cringed, I teared up, I smiled my way through this book. I can’t wait for the sequel.
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Lisa P. Benwitz
4.0 out of 5 stars Don't let the setting or subject matter stop you!
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2015
Verified Purchase
Even though I loved the "Fire and Thorns" books, I was hesitant about this one because the historical period of the Gold Rush and the long trek west didn't seem terribly interesting to me. However, it's always been my feeling that, as long as the book is well-written and the characters are compelling, a good writer can make anything interesting. This proved to be the case for Rae Carson in "Walk the Earth a Stranger." I fell in love with Leah/Lee almost immediately. She is raised liberally, yet also very sheltered. She is raised not to be afraid or ashamed of her gold-seeking magic, but also to understand why she needs to be secretive and guarded. Her knowing how to hunt, fish, do manual labor, etcetera, is completely believable, even given that historical era--something not always done very well. Surprisingly, I found her journey extremely compelling. The pacing was masterful--even though the book covers pretty much every part of the journey west, it never lagged or felt slow to me. The tension built almost without my noticing, so that by the end of the book, I found myself clicking pages frantically. The concepts of prejudice and equality regarding African-Americans, Native Americans and homosexual characters were beautifully written and not once did I feel myself "lectured" or that they had only been thrown in to be politically correct. Instead, they were enlightening and very human, and belonged in the story. The only negative thing I can say is that I felt the villains to be entirely one-dimensional. While I don't necessarily need to see every villain redeem himself, I don't think they need to be Snidely Whiplash or bad thugs from a spaghetti western either. The rest of the supporting characters, however, were beautifully written--each unique and each showing his/her own growth trajectory from the beginning of the novel to the end. The book ended well, too - I felt I had read a complete book, but look forward to the rest of the series. All in all, a wonderful reading journey into a time of US history that I didn't know much about, nor did I feel the need to know much about--until now. I would highly recommend this book.
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Laura Machado
3.0 out of 5 stars Bem interessante, mas bastante arrastado também
Reviewed in Brazil on April 9, 2018
Verified Purchase
Nota verdadeira: 3,5.

Eu sou uma completa apaixonada por livros históricos como esse e quando vi que falaria da corrida do ouro para a Califórnia, quis ler principalmente porque nunca tinha lido nada dessa época nos Estados Unidos. O fato da Leah conseguir sentir ouro, ter esse detalhe de fantasia, só deixou a história mais atraente ainda na minha opinião. Mesmo assim, minhas expectativas estavam super baixas, porque eu já tinha lido várias resenhas dizendo que o livro não era tão bom. Agora, estou feliz de ter lido, mas tenho que admitir que elas estavam, em parte, muito certas.

O livro é bastante arrastado. A viagem de Leah não só é a parte principal da história, como é a única história do livro. No começo, cheguei a pensar que ela estava demorando para começar a viagem e super me arrependi de ter desejado isso, já que o resto do livro todo é só essa jornada. Durante mais da metade, fiquei tão entediada que estava considerando largar o livro. É realmente muito arrastado, muitas cenas que nem são tão inúteis, só chatas de ler mesmo. E o pior de tudo é o quanto esse livro é cheio de coisas ótimas e razões para amá-lo.

A começar pela protagonista, Leah, que é uma das personagens mais incríveis que eu já tive a chance de conhecer! Se eu comprar o segundo livro e continuar com a trilogia, vai ser totalmente por causa dela! Ela é forte, esperta, tem compaixão, mas tem orgulho também. Ela sabe seu valor (que é altíssimo). O começo do livro é completamente apaixonante! Não tem como não se apegar a ela logo no primeiro capítulo, como não sofrer com ela quando os pais morrem (nem é spoiler, hein? É parte da sinopse). Rae Carson pode dar uma aula sobre fazer leitores se importarem com seus personagens, porque eu me apeguei a ela em poucos capítulos mais do que costumo me apegar com séries inteiras a outros personagens.

E não é só a Leah e os pais dela. Adoro o Jefferson, a Becky, a Lucie, o Jasper, até os cavalos e os cachorros! Aliás, principalmente os cavalos e os cachorros! Eu sou daquelas que sofre pelo animal mais do que pelos personagens e sempre reclamei de ler livros em que os personagens usam cavalos como se fossem carros, sem parar para pensar em descanso e comida deles. Nesse livro, a autora se preocupou com isso o tempo todo! Eu não sei o que teria feito se ela tivesse largado a Peony como se fosse um objeto qualquer e não tratado ela como uma personagem essencial (o que ela é). Além de realista da parte dela, foi lindo ver que os animais nessa história importam.

Além do realismo nessa parte, ela também prestou atenção em colocá-lo em outros detalhes. Por exemplo, ela não se esqueceu de que sua protagonista era uma garota viajando por meses e meses seguidos. Na maioria dos livros, é possível evitar problemas como menstruação, mas ela não poderia fugir deles aqui sem perder credibilidade. E ela não fugiu. Essa é outra coisa ótima do livro.

Mas talvez a melhor parte (depois da Leah, porque a Leah é rainha) seja a relação entre os personagens. Durante uma viagem de seis meses (seis meses muito bem descritos, mais do que deveriam ter sido), não tinha como os relacionamentos não se desenvolverem. Essa é a parte que faz a viagem valer a pena, ver como as pessoas passam por tragédias juntas, como se sacrificam uma pela outra, como superam as coisas e se apoiam umas nas outras, como crescem juntas.

Todas essas coisas ótimas do livro, infelizmente, chegaram a ser ofuscadas durante a parte mais chata e arrastada. Uma viagem de migração como essa é sempre arriscada, pessoas e animais morrem, coisas se perdem pelo caminho, e, passando pelo deserto como foi, sobreviver vira o único objetivo. Não tem como essa viagem ser fácil e divertida e isso passou para o livro. Claro que eu estava deitada confortavelmente na minha cama, com uma garrafa de água ao meu alcance e ventilador no teto, mas praticamente me senti viajando com eles pelo deserto. E isso teria sido ótimo se não tivesse passado do limite e ficado bem repetitivo. Eles viajavam e viajavam, e eu sentia que não saíam do lugar.

Não tenho nada contra livro sobre jornadas, mas as coisas começaram a ficar parecidas demais, os problemas anteriores (antes da metade do livro) tinham sido mais interessantes e a narrativa antes tinha passado mais rápido, então não tinha porque ficar tanto tempo em algo que simplesmente não ia para a frente! Não tinha muito enredo a partir de pouco antes da metade, e eu infelizmente estava tão cansada de ler (juro que era a segunda vez que sentava para ler e já não aguentava mais), que tive que aceitar que, se algum dia resolver ler o segundo livro (pela Leah, simplesmente), não vai ser tão cedo.

O mais triste é que a parte sobre encontrar ouro ficou como plano de fundo o tempo todo.

Ainda assim, todos os pontos altos desse livro são altíssimos, principalmente em questão da Leah (vou falar de novo, porque ela é realmente incrível). Todas as vezes em que ela ser mulher foi um problema (ou seja, sempre) foram interessantes. O jeito que ela lida quando está fingindo ser homem e quando não está também é bem legal de ver. Se ao menos a parte da viagem tivesse sido um pouquinho menor, quem sabe eu não estaria agora me sentindo tão exausta e necessitando um livro bem mais leve para compensar.
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hundeherz
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Eines der besten Bücher - ich liebe es!
Reviewed in Germany on April 26, 2016
Verified Purchase
Bereits die Trilogie über den Feuerstein habe ich (auf englisch) verschlungen. Als angekündigt wurde, dass Rae Carson über den Gold Rush schrieb, war ich zunächst enttäuscht, denn diese Zeit interessierte mich wenig. Was für ein Irrtum! Rae Carson beschreibt die in Jugendbüchern bislang vernachlässigte Epoche mit Spannung und Tiefe. Der harte Treck nach California wird so real, so fesselnd, und Leah ist eine glaubwürdige und liebenswerte Protagonistin, deren Gedanken und Handeln schlüssig und klug sind. Ich mag sie.
Überhaupt sind die Charaktere Carsons größte Stärke: allein die Wandlung von Mrs. Joyner, und die Geschichte von Therese...

Ich habe jede Seite verschlungen und harre nun auf Band 2.

Zwei Extrapunkte für das wunderschöne Cover und den eingängigen Titel!
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Believer
4.0 out of 5 stars A Thrilling Adventure!
Reviewed in Canada on October 16, 2015
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"Walk On Earth A Stranger" is a thrilling adventure that begins in Dahlongea in 1849 where Leah (Lee) Westfall's power to sense gold in the world around her triggers the tragic death of her parents, and her desperation to flee their murderer. Dressed as a boy, armed with her father's shotgun and with money from the sale of two horses she starts on a dangerous journey, following her best friend Jefferson to Independence to find a wagon train headed for the gold fields of California.

Set in the heady days of California's gold-rush men, women and children face the hazardous perils of a rough overland journey across the mountains and wilderness of America hoping to strike it rich. When tragedy strikes leaving her homeless, Lee fearing that her parents' murderer wants to control her power strikes out with other adventurers headed for the gold fields. With every mile the author builds tension and suspense as Lee faces a raging river, sickness, a stampede and the unpredictability of her boss and his wife. In this fast-paced, action-packed plot with twist and turns that keep the reader mesmerized, the intensity continually escalates as Lee and her friend Jefferson not only face obstacles along the way but are confronted with snobbery, and prejudice. Only with the odd dash of humour and Lee's longing for more than friendship from Jefferson is the gravity of their struggle diluted.

In all of Rae Carson's novels the plot is enriched with complex, realistic and unforgettable characters like Leah Westfall a.k.a. Lee McCauley a bold, spirited, and resourceful sixteen year old with a magical instinct for gold. Jefferson McCauley Kingfisher, plagued with a drunk father is Lee's quiet, organized and loyal best friend who she fears has fallen in love with responsible and pretty Therese Hoffman. These main characters and others add energy, depth and excitement to this riveting drama.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Walk On Earth A Stranger" and look forward to reading the next installment in this fascinating and entertaining trilogy with its realistic historical backdrop.
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