In her sequel to The Wood's Edge, Lori Benton concludes the epic story in a heart-wrenching tale of war and reconciliation. Two families, broken and yet inextricably linked by one man's sin twenty years ago, have finally started on the path toward reconciliation. But the effects of that sin are long-reaching: Anna must weather the hurt of betrayal of the father she loves. Two Hawks is separated from Anna by color and culture, even though William, her brother by adoption and his brother by birth, is accepted by her father. William, identity shattered by learning the truth of his birth, has gone to join the British army. And two men, both with claims of fatherhood to William, have once again lost their son. Will the two families find a way to reclaim William, though he marches against them in the ranks of their enemies?First off, this book is the second half of a two-part series. I highly, highly recommend that you read The Wood's Edge first--this sequel will be far more powerful in the telling if you know the story from the beginning. And believe me, it's a sweeping, epic tale that will steal your breath. As to be expected from the author, the history shaping the book is rich and detailed, and heart-breaking on its own when one realizes what the Revolutionary War did not just to the colonial Americans, but also--and especially--the Haudenosaunee (the six nations of the Iroquois).
For Anna and Two Hawks, if The Woods Edge were the fairytale--the love story transcending boundaries, with a happily ever after in sight--A Flight of Arrows is the reality, where happily ever after as such doesn't exist, and two clashing cultures have to find a way to coincide. I was disappointed in Anna's handling of reality for a while there, but she rallies back into the girl I couldn't help but love in the first book.
While the first book leaned more toward the women's point of view, this book--with the addition of William's viewpoint--focuses more heavily on the men; fitting, given the heavy backdrop of war and the roles the men play in it. Stone Thrower cemented himself as my favorite, for all that the story isn't ever told from his point of view.
Now the ending . . . talk about powerful. As incredibly powerful as ending of The Wood's Edge was, I think A Flight of Arrows actually manages to top it. Just a warning, though, there were waves of tears accompanying it.
Thank you Blogging for Books for providing a free book to review. I was not required to make the review positive, and all opinions are my own.
The Pathfinders
1. The Wood's Edge
2. A Flight of Arrows
Containing cross-over characters:
Burning Sky
More Resources from the publisher:
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