TITLE: YA
GENRE: SECRET
Uncle William had returned over an hour ago, yet no summons had come.
Sage tugged her fingers as she paced the dark hallway, the rustle of her full skirt covering her footsteps. She’d seen the smugness on his face as he rode through the manor house gate and tossed the reins to the hostler. The look of having finally solved a vexing problem. Her lips twisted with satisfaction. An entire summer of pleading, obeying without complaint, being on her best behavior… all worth it today. They would finally be free of each other.
Someone in the village would need an apprentice— the herb shop or the candlemakers or weavers maybe. She’d sweep floors for the blacksmith if she had to. And she could keep her earnings. Most girls who worked had to support a convent orphanage or family, but the Broadmoors didn’t need the money, and Sage more than earned her keep as a tutor.
I think this is historical fiction based on word choices such as "vexing", but also the full skirts, manor house, and hostler create a scene from long ago.
ReplyDeletehistorical fiction
ReplyDeleteI am picturing Belle trying to escape from her provincial little town.
I Can't Tell
ReplyDeleteI'm 50/50 whether this is historical or fantasy
Historical fiction. I wasn't sure at first, but 'village', 'candlemakers' and 'blacksmith' are mentioned in the second paragraph. That makes me think it takes place during the 18th or 19th century.
ReplyDeleteHistorical
ReplyDeleteManor house, full skirt, the hostler and the list of possible apprenticeships Sage might obtain -- all seem to point toward historical.
Historical - but something is telling me there's more. Like also Thriller? Or Mystery? I get the feeling her uncle is smug for reasons she isn't guessing yet.
ReplyDeleteHistorical. I was leaning towards fantasy of a historical sort, due to the loads of historical terms that are so often also used in fantasy. But the word "Broadmoor" screams specifically historical, and (so far) there is no evidence of magic.
ReplyDeleteHistorical. I was leaning towards fantasy of a historical sort, due to the loads of historical terms that are so often also used in fantasy. But the word "Broadmoor" screams specifically historical, and (so far) there is no evidence of magic.
ReplyDeleteHistorical
ReplyDeleteThe full skirt, apprenticeship, etc.
Historical Romance.
ReplyDeleteMade me think of Jane Eyre.
Historical Romance.
ReplyDeleteMade me think of Jane Eyre.
Historical Fantasy.
ReplyDeleteAll the period terms made me think straight up historical fiction at first, but the name Sage combined with the circumstances of her becoming an apprentice when she's already earning money as a tutor swayed me over to Fantasy.
Historical.
ReplyDeleteBased on the dress, the descriptions and the fact that she's working as a tutor.
Historical?
ReplyDeleteHostlers died out in the victorian era. However, Sage is a modern name.
Historical
ReplyDeleteBecause of the full skirt, the horses, herb shops and candlemakers. I'm guessing 18th century or before because of the mention of a possible apprenticeship in the village. Possibly Europe, because of the manor house. Perhaps it will be a historical fantasy because I don't think many girls were given apprenticeships at that time.
Historical
ReplyDeleteThe setting, clothing and overbearing uncle, not to mention the apprenticeship idea suggest an earlier time and perhaps a European environment.
Historical
ReplyDeleteThe job options Sage is considering nailed it for me.
HISTORICAL.
ReplyDeleteThe manor, the position as a tutor, the full skirt dress. All contribute to indicate historical fiction.
Historical
ReplyDeleteYou've done some nice world building with the clothes, blacksmith, pointing to the reasons why most girls work, etc.
I can't tell
ReplyDeleteAgree that I'm torn on historical v. Fantasy. Herb shop stuck out as a bit strange--that would seem odd as the first example in a historical novel.
Historical. There's nothing that suggests fantasy to me. It's as if fantasy has become so ubiquitous that we assume it's fantasy until proven otherwise. Jeesh. And if it turns out this IS some kind of fantasy, I'll be eating my hat on Sunday!
ReplyDeleteHistorical.
ReplyDeleteManor and long dress.
Historical. Romance maybe? Adventure maybe?
ReplyDeleteClues that it's historical: the m.c.'s dress, her employment options. Also the uncle riding a horse.
Blacksmith, long dress make me think historical but it could be fantasy.
ReplyDeleteHistorical. Full skirts, manor house, uncle on horseback.
ReplyDeleteHistorical.
ReplyDeleteRiding a horse up to a Manor House (tossing reins implies a horse is involved), full skirt, seemingly head strong girl, etc.
Historical
ReplyDeleteDon't sense any magic or fantasy and the world seems real, just olden days
Thanks to everyone who commented.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I'm not sure how to pitch this. It's semi-historical (with a European-style society), but it differs from any particular culture and has it's own geography (which is actually critical to the plot). So in a way, it's fantasy, but being that's there's no actual MAGIC in this world, I hesitate to call it such.
So I guess I'll call it historical fiction adventure. Has romance, too, but most books do.
I was told my opening was weak on setting, but it sounds like I've fixed that since everyone seemed to be on the right track.
Thanks again!
My readers have called it "Mulan meets Brave with a dash of Jane Eyre," and yeah, I can go with that :o)
ReplyDelete