How would it feel to be the thirteenth child in a family who cared nothing for you? How would it feel to be used and abused in a time where the harsh cold reality of life wasn’t tempered by the warmth and hope of a better life? Now…put all those emotions into the year 1747 and put yourself into the mindset of a seventeen year old young woman who had dealt with exactly as described.
Meet Katie O’Toole, a young Irish woman, born into a family where she is not appreciated, she is looked down upon and forced to endure an abusive mother, an alcoholic father, and siblings who taunt and tease her for who she is. Through everything, this young woman is resilient and continued to take everything that happens to her and still be able to take care of her family. Sounds pretty depressing most would say.
However, one fateful day, everything changes! Katie and her family are taken captive by a group of Indians and forced on a trek through the wilderness to a destination unknown. Though they are fearful for their lives, it doesn’t stop her family from taunting her when one of the Indians, Syawa, begins to shower her with attention. She is given hospitality that her family does not receive and ultimately is faced with a decision of staying with her family or going on an incredible journey with two of the Indians who hold them captive. How hard of a decision would that be? Could YOU make such a decision?
Needless to say, the book continues with an adventure filled with hardships, beauty in nature, and…even love. Throughout the story, Katie begins to learn the language of her two captives, now friends, and ultimately finds a life that she had never dreamed to lead. Though she continues to struggle through certain tragedies, she also finds the beauty of life in the most unexpected places.
From page one I was transported into Katie’s life. I felt her sadness, saw her weaknesses and strengths, and recognized the hope she had for a better life through her eyes. The struggles she endured were only equaled out by the promises of a life in which she could grow and become stronger and more independent. For so much as this novel held a true deeply felt romance, it was also more of a coming of age and survival novel.
There aren’t enough good things I can say about this book. Truly it is one that I will hold near and dear to my heart for a long time to come. The characters tug at your heartstrings, the visual background of the story transports you to places of wilderness and history, and the emotions felt within the story will make you want to go back for more. I laughed, I cried, I loved...and I mourned with each character. There are twists and turns and obstacles that I did not see coming and really threw me for a loop. The ending? Fabulous, but left me wanting to follow Katie through her entire life journey.
If you haven’t picked this book up, I sincerely hope you do! You will not regret it! Also, if you have picked up this book, please let me know what you think! Leave a message in the comment section below and tell me what YOU thought of Katie’s journey!
If you are interested in picking up this novel, it is available on multiple platforms. You can find it at:
Barnes and Noble – Paperback and Nook Book
Amazon – Hardcover, Paperback and Kindle
Also, please go and visit the author at her page: www.kblaugheed.com
Let her know what you thought of the book and maybe we can get a second part to Katie’s journey!!
Thanks guys for taking time to read my review and as always, “Spread the joy of reading! Lives can change with the turn of a page!”
See ya! :)
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