Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT Vanessa reviews Two Rivers by Zoe Saadia

Today we have a review from team member Vanessa, she blogs at http://www.vanessawesterwriter.blogspot.com

Vanessa chose to read and review Two Rivers by Zoe Saadia

“When I saw a book by Zoe Saadia up on the review list I have to admit that I immediately took it up! Having read “The Highlander” I knew that I enjoyed the setting of these books, and having seen other reviews I had to find out more.

So, the good news is that I loved it. I started it 10 days ago, but then was so busy that last night I finally relaxed and enjoyed! I was so engrossed I ate it up in less than 4 hours!

So on with the review…

This book is focused on a few central characters during the 12th Century in the Americas: Two Rivers; Wolf Cub (Tekeni); and Seketa.

Two Rivers is a man with ideas. He wants a new way of life among neighbouring tribes and does not see the point of revenge raids in the name of honour. His ideas are strange, different and troubling to his people, who think that he should listen to his elders and follow their instructions. To make matters worse he gets involved in a fight by defending Wolf Cub, an adopted son of a neighbouring tribe who is still treated very much as an outsider.

The book then follows the outcome of the argument… will Wolf Cub be forgiven for the way he nearly killed another man? Will he be accepted or will he always be an outsider?

For honourable reasons, Two Rivers befriends Wolf Cub and tries to help him (he even manages to get him to kill a bear!) This friendship is sure to set the scene for the rest of this series…

Alongside, this fascinating story-line an attraction develops between Wolf Cub and a strong minded and beautiful woman, Seketa. I loved the way they naturally steered towards each other and the way she was portrayed. Strong, wilful, willing to her duty, yet fair and loving.

The books ends on a cliff-hanger and I have to admit that I am intrigued to know what will happen next. I highly recommend!

Rating: 4 Stars“

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Good Deeds Challenge Year 2, Week 45

Welcome to my second Year of Good Deeds, a challenge I set myself during April 2013. I decided to do at least one Good Deed a day for a whole year, now I am into my second year.

This week I’ve been doing the following;

February 22nd – Today I’ve been reading Seventh Mark by W.J May a YA paranormal fantasy. I was going to visit my parents this afternoon and help out with a little computer issue, but when I went to get my car I found it really sick and unsafe to drive. I’ve sent a text to my friendly mechanic who I hope can get the car fixed early this week. No car will be a challenge but then I can do with out for a short while and get more reading done.

February 23rd – I finished reading The Cheesemaker’s House by local author Jane Cable today. My car fell sick and was taken away to be mended, Good deeds received, the mechanic feed up some time and got my car back on the road this afternoon.

February 24th – I’m reading Two Rivers by Zoe Saadie. Got a new book in the post today.

February 25th – Collected up boxes and bags for the relatives who are soon moving house, so that they can start sorting their items, offered to help when they need it.

February 26th – I’m reading The Thing with feathers by Noah Strycker, a non-fiction book looking at our feathered friends.

February 27th – Tipped my hairdresser who did a marvellous job of tidying my mop of hair. Giving a friend some help with Twitter.

February 28th – Hosting a sleepover this evening for a birthday celebration. Am reading A Spell In Provence by Marie Laval

Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT Terry reviews Across The Great Sparkling Water by Zoe Saadie

Today we have a book review from team member Terry, she blogs at http://terrytylerbookreviews.blogspot.co.uk/

Terry chose to read and review Across The Great Sparkling Water by Zoe Saadie

5 out of 5 stars

This is the second in the Peacemaker series, a fictional account based on fact, about how the Great League of the Iroquois was formed. More than a few scholars agree that the latter day USA constitution was influenced by this Great Law of Peace. I’ll just mention that it’s important to read the first in this series, Two Rivers, first. It’s a while since I read the first one so I had to recap, after which the two stories flowed together.

So readable just as an adventure story on its own, Across the Great Sparkling Water (the body of water later to be known as Lake Ontario) is fascinating in that it tells so much about the customs of the time, and the day to day living – and yes, yes, it made me want to go back in time and live amongst them, as all good historical fiction should do. A time and place when life was lived according to the rules of nature only, but with civilised regimes set in place for the efficient survival of communities.

The Great Peacemaker, named Two Rivers, is marvellously multi-faceted, single-minded in his mission to bring about ruling councils and end the warring between the nations, yet so human, too; unlike others of Zoe Saadia’s books that I’ve read, this one contains an element of love and passion of the more mature variety which is very convincing, as Two Rivers fights his feelings for a woman, concerned that it will distract him from his cause. Okay, I admit it; I ended up fancying him myself!

There are other terrific characters in this story: Tekeni, from the first book, a young man who accompanies Two Rivers on his journey; Onheda, a fierce and independent young woman trying to return from a kind captivity to her own people; Hionhwatha, the strong, proud, displaced leader of the Onondaga people, and Jikonsahseh, a wise old woman.

This is an excellent series, so well written and easy to read. I can’t recommend it too highly, and I am just off to Amazon to buy the next one!

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Or start the series with Two Rivers from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com