Jennifer D. (jenjirarn) - , reviewed The Hostage (Chicago Fire Trilogy, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I thought this was a great book. Very enjoyable adventure, set in an interesting time period. I love stories about the Chicago Fire, San Fran earthquake, etc. The book is relatively clean with no long drawn-out sex scenes. I loved how the main characters changed throughout the story. Good survival parts as well. Good book.
Helpful Score: 1
I''m reading through the Wiggs series of books and this is the 3rd I've had the pleasure of reading. Each book I read seems to get a little better, not that any are bad. Being from Wisconsin and having family from the shores of Lake Superior I found myself identifying with the plot setting and enjoyed the little bit of history associated with the plot. Good read.
Helpful Score: 1
I read the trilogy that included "The Firebrand" and "The Mistress". This was my absolute fave. I would search high and low for a man like Tom Silver. Big, rugged and filled with revenge. How could Deborah not love this man. From the fires of Chicago to the frozen lakes of Canada he was hot anyway you look at him. With a kidnapper of his quality, freedom is definitely overrated.
Ever wonder what you would do if you lost everthing??This dilemna is dealt with in a very interesting manner in this story.The characters written by Susam Wiggs are always interesting and intelligent.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly.
This book is about a man that lost his son and went after the man that killed him and instead took the man's daughter as hostage and then fell in love with her and she fell in love with him. A very good book.
Very good love story line and love reading it. Did not get much done around the house while I was reading this one.
Set against the backdrop of the Chicago Fire of 1871, this fictionalized account grabs the reader quickly. The descriptions of the fire and the reactions of the people were excellent.
Tom Silver, upset by the death of his adoptive son, Asa, goes to Chicago to kill Arthur Sinclair, the man he knows to be responsible for Asa's loss. Instead, he kidnaps Arthur's only heir, his daughter Deborah.
We soon learn that Arthur is a social-climber and one of the richest men in Chicago. He has promised his daughter to one Philip Ascot, a penniless man of Chicago's 'old money.' With the marriage, Arthur will attain his fondest wish - to be accepted by the upper crust of Chicago society.
Because the two main characters, Tom and Deborah, had so far to go emotionally, I was relieved that the relationship took a big hunk of the book to ripen. It takes time to move from kidnapper/kidnapee to friends, etc. By taking the long route, I found the relationship to be very realistic.
On the down side, the story is an oft-told one. However, Susan Wiggs wrapped it within a larger story (the burning of Chicago and its aftermath), lifting it out its common roots.
4 stars
Chicago Fire Trilogy
1. The Hostage (2000)
2. The Mistress (2000)
3. The Firebrand (2001)
Tom Silver, upset by the death of his adoptive son, Asa, goes to Chicago to kill Arthur Sinclair, the man he knows to be responsible for Asa's loss. Instead, he kidnaps Arthur's only heir, his daughter Deborah.
We soon learn that Arthur is a social-climber and one of the richest men in Chicago. He has promised his daughter to one Philip Ascot, a penniless man of Chicago's 'old money.' With the marriage, Arthur will attain his fondest wish - to be accepted by the upper crust of Chicago society.
Because the two main characters, Tom and Deborah, had so far to go emotionally, I was relieved that the relationship took a big hunk of the book to ripen. It takes time to move from kidnapper/kidnapee to friends, etc. By taking the long route, I found the relationship to be very realistic.
On the down side, the story is an oft-told one. However, Susan Wiggs wrapped it within a larger story (the burning of Chicago and its aftermath), lifting it out its common roots.
4 stars
Chicago Fire Trilogy
1. The Hostage (2000)
2. The Mistress (2000)
3. The Firebrand (2001)
Very good - takes the daughter of privledge and finds herself held captive of a man seeking revenge for her father's misdeeds. She finds many strengths that she didn't know she had and learns to survive on a small island in Lake Superior. Wiggs gives you characters that you would like to know. Looking forward to reading the next 2 books in the series.
I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't put it down and fell in love with the characters. I hate to put it up to give away but I hope someone else will enjoy it as much as I have.
If you like historical fiction, this is a great story. The main character in the story gets separated from her father and her fiance, and gets taken as a hostage by a man who wants revenge on her father. The story kept me interested all the way to the end. Set in Chicago and Upper Michigan. Susan Wiggs is a wonderful author.
I'm not usually a fan of this era/style of book, but I read it straight through- great characters, self- discovery
Michelle D. (Nebraskaparkfan) reviewed The Hostage (Chicago Fire Trilogy, Bk 1) on + 58 more book reviews
her characters are wonderful
Great read!
October 8, 1871 - One small spark ignites the entire city of Chicago, sending its residents into a panic. But amid the chaos, a chance encounter leads to an unexpected new love.
This is the first book by Susan Wiggs that I have read and I'm glad I've discovered a new author who has written many books. I read the book in just a couple of days. It is the first in a trilogy and I am definitely ordering the next two. The story is about a young debutante who is hostage, not only to her kidnapper, but to her father and fiance as well. The story is about her struggle to be her own person against these three men who try to keep her imprisoned in their plans for her.
Interesting book. Kept me wanting to read more. Lots of information about the Chicago Fire.
Robin M. (robinmy) -
Interesting story. On the night of the Great Chicago Fire, an heiress confronts her father, refusing the society marriage that he has arranged for her. Suddenly a stranger appears, intent on killing her father. The heiress stops the murder, but ends up getting kidnapped herself.
This is the first story in Wigg's Chicago Fire Trilogy. It just makes me want to read more.
This is the first story in Wigg's Chicago Fire Trilogy. It just makes me want to read more.
Great trilogy by Susan Wiggs. Must read all three books. Hard to put down once you start to read. Characters come alive.
LaVonne W. (Grnemae) -
Chicago, 10-8-1871. Deborah Sinclair, daughter of the wealthiest man in the area, has left the downtown area and headed to the home of her father (Arthur Sinclair) to tell him she will not marry the man Arthur wants her to marry for the social standing it will give Arthur. Deborah and Arthur argue and they turn in for the night not realizing that the city of Chicago is on fire. Deborah awakens to the sights, sounds and smell of fire. As she and Arthur are preparing to leave, a "bear" of a man bursts through the front door with a pistol aimed at Arthur. Deborah prevents the shooting of her father but then is snatched up by this very large man and he rescues her from the fire and heads to the docks. In the journey through the city, Deborah is in peril several times but each time is saved by this big man she now hates. He eventually puts her into a small boat and they head away from the city and Deborah learns the man's name is Tom Silver. He is after revenge and since he didn't get it by killing Arthur he informs Deborah that she is his hostage. Tom and his boat captain friend head for Isle Royale where Tom lives during the summer months.
Deborah is furious and does everything she can to disobey and frustrate Tom. They begin a months long battle of wits. Once they finally arrive at the island Deborah learns more about the people who live there and why Tom is seeking revenge. Tom sends a ransom note to Arthur only to receive a message that Arthur will pay no ransom and does not want Deborah back as she is "ruined" and no man will want to marry her. Hurt by her father's reaction Deborah sets out to make herself useful to the people on the island. She learn how hard these people work just to survive. When winter sets in and the Isle Royale is being evacuated for the winter, Deborah makes a selfish choice that could cost her her life as she is left behind. Alone. When Tom learns she was left on the island he heads out, in a blizzard, to get back to her. In the process he nearly freezes to death and when he finally finds Deborah she shoots him because she thought he was a bear. Deborah nurses Tom back to health and over the long winter days and nights Tom and Deborah come to realize what makes each of them act and react the way they do. Over time they realize they are in love but hesitate to say the words to each other. Spring brings a rescue party but not one either expected and soon both Tom and Deborah are in peril. Again!
The story had a nice element of suspense to it as well as the longed for happy ending.
Deborah is furious and does everything she can to disobey and frustrate Tom. They begin a months long battle of wits. Once they finally arrive at the island Deborah learns more about the people who live there and why Tom is seeking revenge. Tom sends a ransom note to Arthur only to receive a message that Arthur will pay no ransom and does not want Deborah back as she is "ruined" and no man will want to marry her. Hurt by her father's reaction Deborah sets out to make herself useful to the people on the island. She learn how hard these people work just to survive. When winter sets in and the Isle Royale is being evacuated for the winter, Deborah makes a selfish choice that could cost her her life as she is left behind. Alone. When Tom learns she was left on the island he heads out, in a blizzard, to get back to her. In the process he nearly freezes to death and when he finally finds Deborah she shoots him because she thought he was a bear. Deborah nurses Tom back to health and over the long winter days and nights Tom and Deborah come to realize what makes each of them act and react the way they do. Over time they realize they are in love but hesitate to say the words to each other. Spring brings a rescue party but not one either expected and soon both Tom and Deborah are in peril. Again!
The story had a nice element of suspense to it as well as the longed for happy ending.
Unaware of the fire sweeping toward them, Deborah Sinclair confronts her wealthy, powerful father, determined to refuse the society marriage he has arranged for her. Suddenly, out of the smoke and flames, a stranger appears - gun in hand, intent on avenging an unforgivable crime. As fire consumes the elegant mansion, the ruthless man takes the fragile, sheltered heiress hostage. Swept off to mist shrouded Isle Royale, Deborah finds herself the pawn in Tom Silver's dangerous game of revenge. Despite her horror at being kidnapped, she is drawn to the people of the close knit communtiy and to the startling beauty of the island. As she engages in a battle of wits with her brooding captor, Deborah begins to understand the injustive that fuels his anger, an injustice wrought by her own family. And as winter imprisons the isolated land, she finds herself a hostage of her own heart.
Judith C. (craftsgranny) reviewed The Hostage (Chicago Fire Trilogy, Bk 1) on + 200 more book reviews
October 8,1871-One small spark ignites the entire city of Chicago,sending its residents into panic.But amid the chaos, a chance encounter leads to an unexpected new love.
