Reviewed by Martha Artyomenko
Book Description:
At the wood’s edge cultures collide. Can two families survive the impact?
The 1757 New York frontier is home to the Oneida tribe and to British colonists, yet their feet rarely walk the same paths.
On the day Fort William Henry falls, Major Reginald Aubrey is beside himself with grief. His son, born that day, has died in the arms of his sleeping wife. When Reginald comes across an Oneida mother with newborn twins, one white, one brown, he makes a choice that will haunt the lives of all involved. He steals the white baby and leaves his own child behind. Reginald’s wife and foundling daughter, Anna, never suspect the truth about the boy they call William, but Reginald is wracked by regret that only intensifies with time, as his secret spreads its devastating ripples.
When the long buried truth comes to light, can an unlikely friendship forged at the wood’s edge provide a way forward? For a father tormented by fear of judgment, another by lust for vengeance. For a mother still grieving her lost child. For a brother who feels his twin’s absence, another unaware of his twin’s existence. And for Anna, who loves them both–Two Hawks, the mysterious Oneida boy she meets in secret, and William, her brother. As paths long divided collide, how will God direct the feet of those who follow Him?
My Review:
The back of the book tells the poignant heartache this story carries. It follows several characters story lines. Anna, Lydia, Major Aubrey somewhat, Two Hawks and his mother. Since it jumps around from character to character, it is a little difficult to ascertain who the actual main character was. You see very quickly that this story is plot driven instead of character driven. The character support the plot, and lend credence to it rather than the other way around.
I found the history of the story fascinating, as well as the notes at the end of the book about the research the author took part in. I wondered about some of the racial divides that the characters faced after the story had ended.
Overall, even though the set up of the story was different than I normally read, I did enjoy the story. It was unique in it’s tale and how it was presented.
I was given this book for review by the publisher and Blogging for Books. The comments and opinions are my own.