“No shortage of action for the adrenaline junkie but equally this story is... about family, love, and hope…. The family’s staunch anti-slavery stance… adds yet another layer and dimension to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it.” —Grant Leishman, Readers' Favorite 
​

From the heart-wrenching beginning on the battlefields of the Napoleonic wars, the author has the reader hooked. With vivid narrative, compelling dialogue, and in-depth history, 1836 presents a compelling saga of trial, hardship, and hope for a better future…. Historical novels are often woven around the noble ranks of society; 1836 is a tale of equal intensity about ordinary people on an incredible journey.”
—Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Readers' Favorite 

​“1836 is as much an engaging chronicle as it is a novel. The tightly packed narrative unfolds like leaves on a family tree: opening, fading, growing, renewing with the passing of time. Detailed and direct, the author creates a world that feels as if the reader walks as a witness to a real family's journey through its generations.”  
​—Nancy E. Turner, NYT Bestselling Author, finalist, The Willa Literary Awards, Arizona Author of the Year, These Is My Words, Sarah's Quilt, The Star Garden, The Water and the Blood, My Name Is Resolute, and Light Changes Everything


​

​We are very pleased to announce two 5-Star Reviews from Readers' Favorite professional reviewers.
​

It is a thrill to have Nancy E. Turner endorse my book. I will always be grateful. Find her books at Amazon and learn more at her website. ​

​“Rose Kleidon's 1836: Year of Escape pulls off a literary magic trick, weaving the sweeping movements of history around the gripping account of a single family’s desperate emigration to America. Kleidon vividly recreates 19th century life right down to the sights, smells, and sensations.”
—Pete Beatty, author of Cuyahoga

Pete knocked me off my feet with his wonderful review of 1836. Thank you, Pete! Find him on Amazon or meet something of the guy himself at his website.
​

​“Engrossing story, glowing prose, stunning imagery. Kleidon reminds us how history repeats itself. Or echoes.”       
​—Steve Vogel, NYT Bestselling Author, Reasonable Doubt, The Unforgiven

Steve, an almost classmate in MDR and IWU (one class apart), was pleased to endorse my book, 1836, and happy to talk about the process of writing and publishing. I sincerely appreciate it, Steve. You can find Reasonable Doubt and The Unforgiven on Amazon and read about their true crime origins on his website. 
​

​“1836: Year of Escape has everything you could want in historical fiction--engaging characters, brisk action, compelling drama, and historical facts totally integrated into the narrative. While an entertaining adventure, it also has serious themes with modern parallels. 1836 would be an excellent book-club selection.”
—Kathy L. Brown, Independent Book Review

​“VERY good historical fiction. I am only around 22 pages, ​but I am very excited to keep reading. I’m impressed with how fast it moves and how much there is to learn -- I mean it is VERY good historical fiction.”​                                                                                                                 —​Linda Smith, Berwick, ME

​“Brilliant! I can feel the ocean waves, see the distant horizon. I am sitting on a little sofa on the fourth – top – floor of an old brownstone in Brooklyn with my tea, reading your beautiful writing. Could it get any better than this?”                            —Barbara Ellis, Editor, Unicorn for Writers, Miami and NYC

​“A compelling storyline… wonderful characters and writing… ​fascinating historic detail. What an immense task this book represents! You stand as a towering example of what the active mind can accomplish.”                                                                                     —William Zucker, translator, Carl Ewald stories

​“Completely hooked! The Kastner family became living, breathing  friends. Their experiences were so real — I felt I was living with the family. The ending left me wanting to know more. I certainly hope there is a sequel!”                                                                                                                   —Shurley Stumpf, Philadelphia

Thank you, Shurley! Yes, a sequel is on the way!       Rose

​“​What a wonderful story! ​This novel introduces you to an adventurous and delightful family’s harrowing experiences in traveling to America in 1836.  This is an excellent historical novel, thoroughly researched and well written. This is a read I can highly recommend.”                                                                                                                 --Judi Sanna, Reno

​
​“Amazing accuracy. You have depicted the effects of PTSD with amazing accuracy. As a Vietnam vet and a long-time counselor of veterans, I can say you hit the nail on the head. I am sure veterans of the Napoleonic Wars suffered in many ways like today's veterans. Whatever we call it, PTSD, shell shock or whatever, war is traumatic..” 
—Christoper Norris, Surprise, AZ 

“A feast of evocative language.... It brought tears to my eyes.... This is a story that deserves to be very widely read.”                                                                                                        —Dr. Pamela Sharp, Prescott, AZ

​“​I feel as though I know the characters well, especially the family. 
​The descriptions of the ocean, mountains, bluffs, and flowers are excellent. I cannot imagine the extensive hours of research needed for this book.  It is very interesting, educational, and enjoyable, and as Gottfried Duden said about America, ‘too fabulous.’”                                                                   --Karen Hakes, Surprise, AZ 

​“I finished your book last week, and I loved it. Really made me feel a part of history. Loved that it was based on a real family. A rave review from me!”                                               —Beth Ann Fossey, Iowa 

​“I am still marveling over the fascinating story and the beauty of the language and images. Now that I'm invested in the Kästners and their futures, it will be gratifying to know what happens to them next!”
—Beth Livingston-Hakes, Albuquerque

Please contact us about adding your review!