A smidgeon of history amidst large dollops of romance. Abandoned.

Last Train from Cuernavaca is an historical fiction novel about two women living through the Mexican Revolution. After Profirio Diaz is removed from office, the state falls into the hands of Francisco Madero. However, when he fails to make good on his promises to poor Mexicans, unrest begins growing again. Angela, a 16 year old girl from a wealthy family, finds her world turned upside-down when her home is raided and many of her friends shot. She runs off to join the rebel forces of Emiliano Zapata. She soon finds herself a leader with a reputation for being ruthless and getting results. Grace is a wealthy British woman who owns a hotel in Cuernavaca that caters to military officials. She has a strong sense of fairness, but isn't terribly motivated to push for social reform. As the Revolution approaches Cuernavaca, she finds herself in increasing danger.
I enjoyed this book. It wasn't as history-oriented as I had hoped. There is a heavy focus on the women's love lives. That said, it is very entertaining and has a number of twists. It's probably appropriate for 10th grade up. ( )

Lucia Robson’s latest historical novel Last Train to Cuernavaca is entertaining and fast paced! The human tragedy and the heinous political unrest of the Mexican Revolution is reflected in the lives of two young beautiful women, English and Mexican. This action packed adventure is filled with heroes, soldiers, battles, conflict, allegiance and romance. Definitely a great read! ( )

I learned alot about the Mexican Revolution throughout the reading of this novel tho it did get a bit confusing at times. There are at least two different groups of revolutionary farmers, a group of federales, a group of renegade federales, and then some bandits thrown in here and there and after a while, I couldn't tell who was killing, looting and raping who. After a while, I started to feel every single group was in the wrong, but I did like Angela aka Angel, a woman that dons a pair of pants and a sombrero and runs with Zapata's army to exact revenge on the federal soldiers that looted her casa and captured her mother.

The problem is most of the novel, a good three fourths is about Grace, not Angel. Grace is an piano playing English hotel owner who has adopted Mexico as her country and she falls in love with Rico, a soldier. I didn't find her near as interesting as Angel and unfortunately she monopolizes almost the entire story, her and Rico. I found Angel's romance with Antonio as they ride the country blowing up trains WAY more fascinating and felt they warranted a lot more ink than they got. I also would have liked more character developement on Angel.

The last half of the novel becomes a wild goose chase between Rico and Grace as one miscommunication after another occurs.

There is all too brief part in which a woman named La Gata shows up. She is a widow leading her own group of revolutionary widows turned combatants and I was diappointed that there was not more of her as well.

Had this novel been about Angela (with more appearances of La Gata), not Grace and Rico, I would probably love it. As it is tho, I can't say I am blown away. It's not a bad book, just not what I was hoping for. ( )