Book Review | Because You Saw Me by Lillian Keith

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 stars

This is a sweet, thoughtfully-told story that took me on a ride full of adventure, suspense, and mystery! I realize that sounds like a contradiction – sweet AND suspenseful? But somehow, it is. Told through the eyes of a young orphan girl, there’s a simplicity to the tale that gives it a sweet, poignant feel, even in spite of the loneliness and sorrow and struggles. (Honestly, it only makes the sad parts hit even harder!) But as a dystopian, it’s also balanced beautifully with moody and mysterious vibes.

Agatha is a sweet, clever girl with an empathetic heart, mistrustful of everyone because of her upbringing as a street urchin. Calum is ADORABLE. And Nari stole my heart with her gentle strength and kind ways. The Stranger™, on the other hand, was a mysterious, intriguing character, the classic kind of mystery villain I love to see in mystery novels. 😉

The worldbuilding is fabulous. It’s a unique take on a dystopian world, set in a Victorian-inspired era and bursting with color and life and detail. When you read, the setting becomes as real as the room you’re in. And there’s a lovely motif of flowers – red geraniums, bobbing daisies, richly colored violets. It adds so much to the aesthetic and theme. I loved it!

The prose is beautiful and perfectly fits the story! Agatha’s character voice and POV is strong and believable, sprinkled with metaphors and analogies that stem from her life experiences and her surroundings, subtle yet so effective. Her vivid, childlike impressions of things are so realistic. I just have to share some examples:

“Dirty rain water collected in open rusty barrels, and windows on the buildings were boarded up tight. Agatha always thought they looked like eyes being squeezed shut from the horrid sight of peeling paint and scratched faces of their neighbors.”

“…a voice thick and dark like soil.”

“…each word prickling the air like the thorns on a rosebush.”

😍😍😍

Overall, I recommend this to readers of Middle-Grade fiction who love unique worldbuilding and genre twists, uplifting Biblical themes, mystery, and sweet characters that will warm your heart!

FAVORITE QUOTES

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“Why are you so kind?” Agatha asked.

“It’s a lonely world if we only look out for ourselves,” Ma said simply.

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“Farmers must be generous. They must throw out much seed in order to get a large return. That is also the way of life. Be generous, and it will bring forth true riches.”

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“Remember, always sow generously. True blessings aren’t found in things, but in people.”

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Disclosure: I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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About the Book

Would Nari ever be happy if she learned the truth? Agatha swallowed hard. She knew what her friend would say.

As an orphan in Daivron, Agatha has learned to scavenge for anything that might prove useful. When she picks up an innocent-looking button box, she unwittingly incurs the wrath of a shadowy stranger. While being chased through the alleyways of a city that’s turned its back on her, will Agatha use the box’s hidden treasure to escape to a better future? Or will she follow her beloved friend’s advice and do the right thing?

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Meet the Author!

Aside from writing, you’ll often find her needle felting rabbits, arguing with spell check on Google Docs, or talking with her imaginary friends *ahem* story characters. Feel free to drop by her site and say ‘hi’. She loves meeting new people, hearing from excited readers, and making new friends (be forewarned, though. She loves puns and may try to sneak one into the conversation when you’re not looking!)

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Connect With the Author

Blog: https://lilliankeithauthor.wordpress.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21811083.Lillian_Keith

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lilliankeith22/_saved/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lillian-Keith/author/B09G9355LY?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

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Because You Saw Me is a Middle Grade Dystopian novel and is a companion novella to An Apprentice Escapes.

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Tour Schedule

I’m not a part of the official blog tour because I thought I had signed up but I actually hadn’t. 🤦‍♀️ But here’s the schedule! Catch up on all the fun! 😉

Monday (October 9th)

Lillian Keith – Tour Kick-off Post and Countdown Post #1 (🌸 check out this post for info about the giveaway! 🌸)

Tuesday (October 10th)

Once Upon an Ordinary – Illustrator Interview

Lillian Keith – Countdown Post #2

Wednesday (October 11th)

Sisters Three – Spotlight/Sneak Peek

Lillian Keith – Countdown Post #3

Thursday (October 12)

Writers’ Vision – Spotlight/Guest Post 

Issabelle Perry – Sneak Peek

Lillian Keith – Countdown Post #4

Jaiden Phillips Art – Guest Post

Friday (October 13th)

Lillian Keith – Countdown Post #5

Saturday (October 14)

Bree Pembrook – Giveaway Spotlight

The Pencil Sisters – Mood Boards and Reader Shout-out

Sunday (October 15th  – Posting Break)

Monday (October 16th)

Lillian Keith – Countdown Post #6

Excavatia – Spotlight, Guest Post, and Sneak Peek

Tuesday (October 17th)

Kristina Hall – Spotlight and Review

Once Upon an Ordinary – Guest Post

Writers’ Vision – Spotlight/Guest Post

Lillian Keith – Countdown Post #7

Wednesday (October 18th)

Lillian Keith – Countdown Post #8

Thursday (October 19th) Release Day! 

Old Fashion Book Love – Spotlight/Book Review (possible)

Katherine Perry Creator – Author and Illustrator Interview

Lorelei Angelino – Book and Giveaway Spotlight (Pinterest)

Lillian Keith – Countdown Post #9 (End of Giveaway)

Friday (October 20th)

Lillian Keith – Tour Wrap Up, Bonus Content, and a Big Thank You!

Saturday (October 21)

Lillian Keith – Giveaway Winner Announcement

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What’s your favorite genre twist? Do you enjoy mystery stories? Have you ever done floral arrangements before? Who was your favorite character in Because You Saw Me?