My Review of Keowee Valley

Before I get to the review, I think it's important for me to note that this book is *probably* not one that most of my regular readers would pick up. Keowee Valley is a secular historical romance novel, and it includes more explicit content than the books I normally review here. I found out about the book through an author friend who commented on how she had started her ARC of the book and was really enjoying it. This prompted me to request an ARC of my own, which Katherine Scott Crawford graciously provided. My author friend later e-mailed me to warn me of the sexual content she came across as she continued reading, which helped me know that there would be several scenes to skip along the way.

While I'm uncomfortable with the extent of the sexual content in this book, I still found it to be an intriguing and well-written historical romance. If edgy Christian fiction sometimes steps too far for you, or you generally read only Christian fiction because you prefer "clean" reads, then I wouldn't recommend this book to you. But if you occasionally read secular fiction and you enjoy historical romance, then read on...

Here's a description of the book from Goodreads:

"Spring, 1768. The Southern frontier is a treacherous wilderness inhabited by the powerful Cherokee people. In Charlestown, 25 year-old Quincy MacFadden receives news from beyond the grave: her cousin, a man she’d believed long dead, is alive—held captive by the Shawnee Indians. Unmarried, bookish, and plagued by visions of the future, Quinn is a woman out of place… and this is the opportunity for which she’s been longing.

Determined to save two lives, her cousin’s and her own, Quinn travels the rugged Cherokee Path into the South Carolina Blue Ridge. Defying her furious grandfather and colonial law, she barters for leverage against the Shawnee with a notorious Cherokee chief—and begins building a daring new home in the Keowee River Valley, a fiercely beautiful place.

But in order to rescue her cousin, Quinn must trust an enigmatic half-Cherokee tracker whose loyalties may lie elsewhere. As translator to the British army, Jack Wolf walks a perilous line between a King he hates and a homeland he loves.

Together they journey across the Appalachian Mountains and into the heart of Cherokee country. They encounter wily trappers, warring Indians, British soldiers, desperate settlers, and a contested backcountry on the brink of changing forever.

When Jack is ordered to negotiate for Indian loyalty in the Revolution to come, the pair must decide: obey the Crown, or commit treason…."

My Rating

Spring

My Review

Imagine an independent young woman eager to build a home for herself on land that is both achingly beautiful in its wildness and freeing in the familiarity it breeds. Imagine a community composed of those of all different ages and all different backgrounds - all looking for a refuge and a new start. Imagine a place where visitors come and go, danger lurks in the woods, and the sheer grandeur of nature astounds. Imagine a place from which to embark on a life-changing adventure. Imagine a place to long to return to after facing the uncertainties of new frontiers and a society on the brink of chaos.

Welcome to Keowee Valley.

Wonderful imagery and characterization combine to make this pre-Revolutionary War story a great read. Quinn is an interesting heroine who has dreams/visions of future events. She is very independent, very strong (in some ways), and very caring. Not only does she leaves Charlestown in order to find her cousin, but also to buy land from the Cherokee where she and others can build homes and share the responsibilities of caring for the valley.

We meet many interesting characters who decide to take Quinn up on her offer. We also meet Jack Wolf, a tracker whom Quinn sends in search of her captive cousin. The characters are endearing and intriguing, from the settler's children who look up to Quinn to Jack's tall and silently protective brother, Ridge Runner. The whole cast makes Quinn's adventures and endeavors engaging to read about.

Back to Jack... He's the sort of hero one would expect with this sort of novel, with his own unique quirks and handsome traits. He is the son of a Cherokee man and a white woman. He has dark blond hair and green eyes, an Irish accent, and a warrior's build. Yes, romance is inevitable in a story with a pretty, stubborn heroine and a hero like that!

Regarding the romance, I offer a caution. There is sexual content in this story, including a few "bedroom" scenes. The way the story is divided up into scenes, I'd say it's fairly easy to skip over the explicit content without taking away from the gist of the plot. However, even being aware of this content and determined to skip over it, it's easy to still come across some references to nudity (etc.)... So, just realize that, while this is historical fiction and not entirely focused on the romance, the romantic element is heavy.

Keowee Valley is epic as it shares Quinn's dreams and the obstacles she, Jack, the Cherokee, and the colonists have to face as war looms. The plot contains a lot of tension and interesting events, but the nature of the story makes it more of a slow read. And the ending... Let's just say that while there is resolution in some ways, many questions remain. For those looking for an imaginative and romantic fictional snapshot of the pre-Revolutionary War era, with an emphasis on the characterization, you might consider visiting Keowee Valley.

*With thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.* 

Note: I read an ARC of the book, so any edits made to the final version of the book that were not in the ARC would not be taken into account in this review.

The Books That Were on Fire: My Thoughts on "The Hunger Games" Trilogy

What makes "The Hunger Games" series so intriguing and engrossing? I've connected elements of the trilogy to C.S. Lewis' sermon "The Weight of Glory" for a class paper. I've found the series to be a thought-provoking example for parts of the ethics and war lecture given recently in my American Military History class. I've discussed various plot twists and themes with a friend in my dorm.

Really, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay are on fire with intense action, ideas, and emotions!

If you missed it before, you can find my thoughts on the first book (The Hunger Games) HERE. The following thoughts are on the series as a whole, and they do include major spoilers. If you're really interested in the series and haven't yet read it, I recommend waiting to read this until after you've done so. But if you have read the books, I'd love to read your thoughts in the comments section!

My Thoughts on "The Hunger Games" Trilogy

When discussing this series the other day, my friend asked me if I thought it was possible to love a book but not love it at the same time, or something to that effect. When it comes to "The Hunger Games" trilogy, my answer is, "Oh, yeah!"

I love it. The non-stop action...the tension...the head-on collision with serious, meaningful questions... It's a well-written story that "works on many levels" (as a certain penguin from Madagascar 2 might say, if you don't mind the movie reference!). Horrific, terrifying, and yet completely captivating - that pretty much sums it up.

At the same time, I don't love it. The books are set in a future built on the author's own imagination. Whether all of the assumptions put forth in the book reflect the author's worldview is a call I can't make. But I can tell you that there are indeed assumptions that should be treated with careful reflection by every reader.

As far as I could tell, there were no references to religion throughout the series. Some might say that there is no place for religion in the dystopian world of Panem. And I suppose that is the point. Panem seems to have arisen from an evolutionary viewpoint, with the idea that in the future human beings will have moved past their need for "fantastical myths" and "delusions." It is a place where survival of the fittest is very much the order of the day. The silence created by the absence of any mention of any form of life after death or any type of religious beliefs speaks louder than any words on the subject.

Consider Katniss' thoughts after the assassination of President Coin:

"I no longer feel any allegiance to these monsters called human beings, despite being one myself. I think that Peeta was onto something about us destroying one another and letting some decent species take over. Because something is significantly wrong with a creature that sacrifices its children's lives to settle its differences.... The truth is, it benefits no one to live in a world where these things happen." (p. 377, Mockingjay)

Certainly, at first glance "The Hunger Games" series seems to promise absolutely no happiness at all. But at the end of Mockingjay, Katniss and Peeta and some of the others attempt to keep the legacies of those who died alive. Peeta tries to hold onto his love for Katniss. Katniss tries to hold onto "every act of goodness [she's] seen someone do." But even Katniss' admission that "there are much worse games to play" doesn't erase the fact that if there is no life after death, all of it is for naught (quotes from Mockingjay, p. 390).

Why is it all for naught? Consider C.S. Lewis' words in his sermon "The Weight of Glory":

"...even if all the happiness they promised could come to man on earth, yet still each generation would lose it by death, including the last generation of all, and the whole story would be nothing, not even a story, for ever and ever."

Lewis is talking about those who seek a sort of "heaven on earth," but I think it works just as well for the "hell on earth with what little bits of heaven we can preserve" picture presented in "The Hunger Games" series. But the thing is, if I am correct in assuming that the dead in this series are thought to simply cease to exist, than there is no point in holding onto any "bits of heaven." As Lewis says (in the same sermon) in regards to avoiding death:

"...as if we could believe that any social or biological development on this planet will delay the senility of the sun or reverse the second law of thermodynamics. Do what they will, then, we remain conscious of a desire which no natural happiness will satisfy."

So here's where I come back to loving the series again. The books show the complete and utter dissatisfaction that humans ultimately have with this world as an end in and of itself. We long for more - legacies that will not fade; total freedom that exists in truth; justice and yet mercy; a safe place to call home forever.

Remember the song that makes an appearance at Rue's death in The Hunger Games and in the epilogue of Mockingjay? It's a song that speaks of hope, safety, and especially love. "Here is the place where I love you." It's what we ache for, a love that doesn't cease when someone leaves this world. A love that isn't bound by time and location.

Here are some of Jesus' words to His disciples (and we, too, are His disciples if we are saved through His grace, by faith):

"If ye were of the world,
the world would love his own:
but because ye are not of the
world, but I have chosen you
out of the world, therefore the
world hateth you....

And ye now therefore have
sorrow: but I will see you again,
and your heart shall rejoice,
and your joy no man taketh
from you....

These things I have spoken
unto you, that in me ye might
have peace. In the world ye
shall have tribulation: but be of
good cheer; I have overcome
the world."

~ John 15:19 and 16:22, 33 ~

That love exists. A Love beyond this world. A Love that has overcome the world. A Love that gives joy, which can never be taken away.

But assurance in eternal life does not mean that we just give up. Not at all! What I really love about "The Hunger Games" trilogy is Katniss' constant battle. She never stops fighting. She never stops trying to hold onto good. We may not be in Katniss' shoes exactly, but consider these verses from Ephesians:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (6:12-13)

And from Romans:

"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." (12:9)

"The Hunger Games" trilogy has a lot to say about good and evil, war (like militarism vs. just war theory, etc.), and where the world is headed. But whether or not I agree with everything it says, if it forces me to think critically and examine (and grow) in my faith, then I think it's a powerful story with a lot to offer. In that way The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay really seem to be the books that were - and are - on fire.

(You can find C.S. Lewis' sermon "The Weight of Glory" HERE. Movie poster image 1 and image 2 from Moviefone.com. Book cover images from the author's website.)

My Thoughts on The Hunger Games

Wow! There is a lot going on in this book - both moving and disturbing. To help me sort my thoughts on it, I'm not going to keep my "review" spoiler-free. So if you haven't yet read the book but you plan to someday, this is my warning that the following post will give away major plot twists. For those of you who have read the book, I'd love to make this a discussion and hear your thoughts on the book, too!

My Thoughts (with spoilers):

I consider myself a rather sensitive person, so The Hunger Games is a bit out of my normal reading fare with its violence and cruelty and other disturbing elements. The book left me with a foggy feeling and numerous ideas swarming around in my mind, forcing me to take the time to try and dissect all those thoughts. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing!

The premise of this book is extremely intriguing, and the writing is very engaging. The heroine is excellent for a story told in first-person, as she is loyal to family, strong, spunky, and yet conflicted - basically, she's "the girl who was on fire" in more ways than one. She's on fire for her family and those she loves. She's on fire for survival and freedom. And she's on fire with emotions and uncertainties that threaten to consume her.

And speaking of "the girl who was on fire," those costume and setting descriptions are fabulous! They sparkle and paint a terrifying and yet irresistible word picture. There is a great balance between the recognizable and the futuristic, especially in the arena. From the tracker jackers to the mockingjays, and from the cameras everywhere to the amazing, super-expensive medicines, there seems to be just the right touch of inventiveness and possible future technology. The whole world of the story is so clever and creative!

That cleverness bleeds into the plot, forcing Katniss to hide her emotions from the unseen cameras even while dealing with extreme pain and duress. In this case survival isn't just about physical endurance and strength - it's about making yourself look like a winner even when you feel like you can't make even one more step. That definitely adds a whole new level to the games...

...not to mention the love story. I'm probably just as confused as Katniss when it comes to Peeta and Gale. Peeta really seems to have a great heart, but appearances are certainly deceiving in this book. I think it's safe to say that he really does care for Katniss, and his loyalty to her is quite endearing. But I can't help but get snagged on the scene with the girl who started the fire not far from where Katniss was sleeping. While it doesn't seem clear who first attempted to kill the girl, it is suggested that Peeta is the one who finishes her off. It is noted that Peeta joined the group to save Katniss in a round-about way, and he is almost killed by Cato later on when he demonstrates his devotion to her. Yet...if he didn't have a crush on Katniss, would Peeta have joined the group anyway? Or would he have gone solo? And would he have as little remorse for killing Katniss as he seems to have for sharing the responsibility in killing that girl? I'd also like to know if he ever gave a second thought to young Rue in the arena. I could ask "What if?" all day, but I guess I'm just curious about this baker's son who shows such tenderness and care to Katniss, as well as jealousy for her feelings toward Gale. I admire him in some ways, and I think he can be very sweet. But he's a puzzle.

While I do really like some of those scenes between Peeta and Katniss, my favorite part of the book is the interaction between Rue and Katniss in the arena. This is the part that really shows that love and beauty remain despite the horrific circumstances. Even though Rue and Katniss are supposed to be enemies, they bond and work together. I suppose a similar argument for Katniss' attachment to Rue in comparison with Peeta's attachment to Katniss can be made, because there's always the question of whether or not Katniss would still care about Rue if Rue didn't remind Katniss of her sister. But there's hope in Rue's innocence, her trust, and her passion for music. That mockingjay pin that Katniss wears is like a symbol of a free spirit that man couldn't destroy - of something beautiful like music coming out of something that was used for evil purposes. The song Katniss sings to Rue...the flowers she surrounds her with in her death...the bread that District 11 gave in gratefulness to Katniss - all of that provides a powerful image. Even the muttations that come in later - probably my least favorite part of the book - couldn't be made of or destroy the souls, only the bodies.

I know The Hunger Games isn't Christian fiction, and I realize that there is more that could be dissected in terms of political and social agendas (perhaps commentary on class divisions or the source of power in a nation). But these are some of the thoughts of a girl who believes that God is more powerful than man and that there is always hope in Him who works for the good of those who love Him. I am deeply thankful that God has not abandoned us, and no matter what the present or the future look like, He will never leave me.

Well, I have Catching Fire and Mockingjay yet to read, so we'll see what I think of the series as a whole! And again, please feel free to share your thoughts here, as well! (Although I'd appreciate it if you don't mention books two or three just yet!)

(Cover image from the author's website.)

My Review of Plain Fear: Forsaken

Here's a description of the book:

"Hannah Schmidt pines for Jacob, the boy who saved her life. But Jacob is gone, buried. Levi Fisher loves Hannah. But he knows how much Hannah loved his brother Jacob. He also knows the troubling event that took Jacob out of their lives.

So when a stranger named Akiva comes into their community, he carries with him two secrets: he is, in fact, Jacob. And he is now a vampire.

When secrets are revealed, Hannah must choose between light and dark, between the one she has always loved and the new possibility of love—a decision that will decide the fate of her soul."

My Review:

This is the kind of book that requires a conversational review. I find it difficult to sum up my thoughts on this book in an eloquent way, so I hope you don't mind if I just speak plainly. (Pun intended, but not meant to be distracting!)

I have read two other books by Leanna Ellis: Ruby's Slippers and Once in a Blue Moon. Like those books, Forsaken defies labels. It is not a book that fits neatly into one specific category. Ellis is skilled at penning novels that are engagingly unique.

But unlike those two books, Forsaken is not "traditional" Christian fiction. Please don't let this be where you stop reading this review, or where you decide this is a must-read (depending on your preferences)!

I think the eerie cover fits the tone of the story, as well as the content, very well. So don't let the Amish girl there fool you. This is far, far different from a Cindy Woodsmall, Wanda Brunstetter, or Beverly Lewis novel. This is a book about vampires.

I have never read or watched any of the Twilight movies or books. But I have read Dracula by Bram Stoker. And I am pleased with how Ellis handles the subject--creating sympathy for Jacob, but showing that his vampire state (as Akiva) is evil. She includes certain characteristics of vampires that I recognized from Stoker's novel, such as a vampire's ability to morph into other forms (not just bats). But I also saw some differences, such as the vicious nature of a vampire attack (nowhere near romantic/seductive).

I think at this point it is important to state that this book contains some language, a fair amount of sensuality, violence, sexual innuendos, as well as drug/alcohol/smoking references. I believe that some of the questionable material was unnecessary, especially the extent of certain sensual scenes and the occasional language. But I also see that some of it is important to the story.

I don't say that to excuse Ellis' content or approve it. I think of it as more like what the artist Thomas Kinkade wrote in his book, Touched by the Light:

"Without a consciousness of darkness, there can be little or no awareness of light. Friends often ask me how I go about painting light. It often surprises them when I say that I start with massive amounts of darkness... Only after those pieces of cloth are saturated with darkness do I allow the light to emerge--and often only small pools of light at that." (p. 59)

In any case, I think the most important thing to note about Forsaken is that there are "small pools of light" which demonstrate a strong theme of good vs. evil, as well as a powerful message about love--the kind of love that sacrifices, giving instead of taking, and driving out unhealthy fear. That is the heart of the book, evidenced by the symbolism of blood (etc.) throughout the pages.

My main qualm with the book is the heroine, Hannah. I loved reading about Levi, and I really think he steals the show. He is sweet, protective, and strong in his faith. It is his growth and his insights at the end that tie the symbolism together. There were moments when I felt Hannah was maturing, too. But her overall emphasis on romantic love at the end disappointed me. Love between a man and a woman can be a gift, but it can never be salvation.

Last year on Ellis' blog she compared Forsaken to Phantom of the Opera. That intrigued me, and now I have seen the striking connection for myself. The love triangle will engross you; Akiva's fate will sadden you; and the "music of the night" might temporarily enchant you. But as Christine sings to the Phantom: "It's in your soul that the true distortion lies."

If you approach this book with an open mind and look to the deeper threads binding this story together, then I think you will find this to be an ultimately hopeful read through all of the sorrow and pain. But beware: it will also challenge you.

*With thanks to the author and Sourcebooks for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Note: Since this was an advance copy, some changes might have been made to the final edition which would not be taken into consideration in this review.

Book Trailer:

Mystery Review: The Ghostway

Here's a description of the book from HarperCollins Publishers:

"Old Joseph Joe sees it all. Two strangers spill blood at the Shiprock Wash-O-Mat. One dies. The other drives off into the dry lands of the Big Reservation, but not before he shows the old Navajo a photo of the man he seeks.

This is all Tribal Policeman Jim Chee needs to set him off on an odyssey that moves from a trapped ghost in an Indian hogan to the seedy underbelly of L.A. to an ancient healing ceremony where death is the cure, and into the dark heart of murder and revenge."

My Review:

After years of having my dad tell me how amazing Tony Hillerman’s books are, I finally know what all the excitement is about! Tony Hillerman weaves an exceptional story in The Ghostway: intriguing, thrilling, and thought-provoking. And once the end is in sight, it’s difficult to put down!

Navajo Tribal Police Officer Jim Chee is introduced as a character forced to make a personal decision that will determine how he identifies himself and how the rest of his life will play out. With his conflicted love life on his mind, Chee is thrust into a case that will lead him on a physically and emotionally intense journey to discover the truth—both of the identification of the murderer, victims, and other people involved in the series of crimes, as well as the identification of himself.

Hillerman’s descriptions of the western setting are powerful, seen from the eyes of a Native American law officer and the eyes of a paranoid killer. Navajo rituals and beliefs are also woven into the story in a powerful way and make for a wonderfully complex and interesting read. And a Navajo perspective on the “outside” world of the typical white man in America (such as how he treats the elders in his world) gives the story a depth that will make readers take a step back and see a familiar culture with new, and perhaps critical, eyes.

The Ghostway is a story that kept my attention and made me eager for more. There are a few swear words and not-so-pretty scenes, but overall this story is pretty “clean” and yet realistic and engaging. The strength of the main characters, the twists and turns of the plot, and the sensitive way in which the story is told make The Ghostway a must-read!

Disclaimer: This book was assigned reading for my Literature of the American West class, and this review was written and turned in to be graded by my professor. It should also be noted that this is not a Christian fiction book, which is the category of books I generally review on this blog. However, I truly did enjoy reading this, and I'm hoping to borrow some more books by this author when I get home, as my dad has pretty much the whole collection!