Anxious Hearts by Tucker Shaw

Title: Anxious Hearts

Author: Tucker Shaw

Published: May 2010 by Amulet Books

Pages: 272

ISBN: 9780810987180

Source: ARC from Around The World Tours

Description: “Evangeline,” he repeated, calling at a whisper. “Evangeline.” He was not calling that she may hear, he was calling that somehow her soul might know that he was devoted entirely to her, only to her. “Evangeline, I will find you.”  Eva and Gabe explore the golden forest of their seaside Maine town, unknowingly tracing the footsteps of two teens, Evangeline and Gabriel, who once lived in the idyllic wooded village of Acadia more than one hundred years ago. On the day that Evangeline and Gabriel were be wed, their village was attacked and the two were separated. And now in the present, Gabe has mysteriously disappeared from Eva. A dreamlike, loose retelling of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s famous love poem “Evangeline,” Anxious Hearts tells an epic tale of unrequited love and the hope that true love can be reunited.

 I Give This ...

 
 

This book had a really poetic feel.  It switches narratives between Eva in today's world and Gabriel in the past.  I actually liked Gabriel's story more than Eva's.  It was more intense.  The romance between Gabriel and Evangeline made sense.  And I understood his devotion to finding her.  It was heartfelt, romantic, and sad.  Eva's story felt a little forced.  I didn't understand her and Gabe as much.  The explanation for Eva's obsession with finding him didn't seem as real.  Plus, Gabe didn't seem to be worth her effort.  I wasn't sure if he really returned her affections.  I felt sorry for his circumstances, but it didn't really sit well with me.  It was a fast read, but a story that would be easily forgotten.  I did really like the way the book was set up (strange but the presentation was great).  Gabriel's parts have darker pages, giving them a different feel.  Eva's story has these pretty little designs on the pages.  I hope the keep that format in the finished copy.  I would recommend this to those who like dual narratives (past and present), historical fiction that is fast paced, and those who love the teen love story.