Intermezzo, the second installment of the Birthright Legacy, picks up where Etude left off, with Beth Arrington inhabiting the body of Eleanor Hastings during the Civil War period. Without giving too much away, as Beth awaits her return to her own time period and body, we learn some of the backstory about the Intruders and Bailey, as well as Jonathan and Grace.This book is interesting also in that while it is a YA novel, there is an element of sophistication that was less present in Etude. This is, of course, not to say that YA novels cannot be and are not sophisticated. In fact, most of the better YA novels carry a level of sophistication that allows them to appeal to a much wider audience than those intended, and it is in this realm that I would also place Intermezzo.
Three Things I Like:
1. Two characters in one: One of the things I found hugely interesting is the juxtaposition of Beth's 21st century voice against the expectations of Eleanor's 19th century cultural refinement. Beth is constantly aware that she is interfering with Eleanor's life, and the fact that these two women coexist in the same body is an interesting feature of the story. How they communicate with one another and with those around them provides some intense and often comical moments.
2. Reinterpretation of story: As with Etude, I enjoy the reinvention and reinterpretation of story, specifically the Biblical Adam and Eve story. I don't want to give too much away. Although it takes a while to get there, Intermezzo picks up where Etude left off with this reinterpretation and it is one of the more attractive features (for me) of the story.
3. Complex relationships: The relationships between Eleanor and her father, Eleanor and her mother, and Eleanor and Beth are real. They exhibit the intensity and muddiness of all relationships that are real. Father's drawings and "secret" past and Mother's reticence were beautifully handled and crafted parts of the story.
Three Things I Liked Less:
1. Beth seems a bit whiny: In Intermezzo Beth comes across as a bit whiny about not being able to be with Jonathan. True, she is stuck in a seemingly impossible and implausible situation and has little hope of being able to right it all by herself. However, I would have liked more "conversations" with Eleanor and fewer pouts.
2. Delay of Bailey's entrance: Bailey is hinted at a few times throughout most of the book, but when he finally makes his grand entrance, I was thoroughly excited. This part of the novel was dark and murky and sinister; I loved every minute of it and wanted more. Is Bailey the Grey Ghost? Is Bailey more of a factor in the war itself? What happened to the people from the camp? I felt like this was such a rich part of the book and truly was anxiety-provoking--in a really wonderful way--and I wanted more of it and I wanted it earlier.
3. The third book is not yet finished! There were so many nuggets dropped for the last novel that I feel like I'm clawing at the end of the rope--What's the deal with Jonathan's brother? What happens when Beth returns to the 21st century? What's Bailey's ultimate goal? When's the next one coming???
All in all, I recommend Intermezzo to YA readers young and old. I'm anxiously awaiting the third installment, wondering what's in store for Beth and Jonathan. Come on, Mindy: I need the finale!
Source:
Morgan, Melinda. Intermezzo. Ogden: WindRiver Publishing, 2013. Print.
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