Thursday, August 8, 2013

Burning Sky Book Review




Burning Sky: A Novel of the American Frontier
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About the Book

Abducted by Mohawk Indians at fourteen and renamed Burning Sky, Willa Obenchain is driven to return to her family’s New York frontier homestead after many years building a life with the People. At the boundary of her father’s property, Willa discovers a wounded Scotsman lying in her path. Feeling obliged to nurse his injuries, the two quickly find much has changed during her twelve-year absence—her childhood home is in disrepair, her missing parents are rumored to be Tories, and the young Richard Waring she once admired is now grown into a man twisted by the horrors of war and claiming ownership of the Obenchain land.

When her Mohawk brother arrives and questions her place in the white world, the cultural divide blurs Willa’s vision. Can she follow Tames-His-Horse back to the People now that she is no longer Burning Sky? And what about Neil MacGregor, the kind and loyal botanist who does not fit into in her plan for a solitary life, yet is now helping her revive her farm? In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, strong feelings against “savages” abound in the nearby village of Shiloh, leaving Willa’s safety unsure. (Goodreads)

Willa is a woman caught between two worlds. As tensions rise, challenging her shielded heart, the woman called Burning Sky must find a new courage--the courage to again risk embracing the blessings the Almighty wants to bestow. Is she brave enough to love again?

 My Review

Burning Sky by Lori Benton is the first novel published by this author. The setting is beautiful and created with full imagination. Lori did a great job with her historical research, she included a ton of detail within this story. Set in 1784, Burning Sky whose English name is Willa Obenchain returns home after living with her Indian family that kidnapped her years ago. This type of story line always intrigues me and I was impressed with this book, especially for being a first novel! While at some points in the book seemed to drag on for me, the overall storyline is a good read. I really enjoyed the characters, they were fully developed and historically accurate. There is a love triangle that seems to keep the story going, while at times irritating-I just wanted to know the her choice! This is a much larger book than anticipated, 400 pages, so not a fast read.
 I would recommend this to fans of Jane Kirkpatrick, it is written differently but with the same depth. I give it four stars.
 "I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for free in exchange for an honest review." 


Stop by Waterbrook Multnomah to order this book and read an excerpt.

Also check out Lori's website!





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