Book Review: Burning Sky by Lori Benton
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it Here
Age
Appropriate For: 15 and up (romance and violence)
Best
for Ages: 15 and up
Description:
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. 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?
One of
the hardest things about being a book reviewer is you have to be honest. There
are some books you want to love and give high ratings, but for the sake of honesty
you can’t. This was one of those books.
Lori Benton got a lot right in this book. Historically, I don’t think it could have gotten much better. The details of not only life, but also the feelings in post-Revolutionary War America, were brilliantly woven into the story. There wasn’t any part that felt like an information dump; the story provided details as needed.
The
characters themselves were so well developed. Willa and Neil especially had
their faults and strengths. You both loved them and were frustrated by them in
the course of the story. The supporting characters were also well done. None of
them were flat or boring.
So why
didn’t I enjoy this story? To be honest, the romance really bothered me. Although
Willa and Neil are both people of strong character and deep faith, their
romance was nothing like what I would have hoped. Willa especially seems to think
of them ‘being together’ a few times without regret and never seems to think about
Neil’s character. It really bothered me and kept me from fully enjoying the
story.
The book
also felt long in places. Although I wanted to find out what happened, I
skimmed some parts. 400 plus pages seemed too long for the story the book
contained.
Although
this wasn’t my favorite book, it was far from the worst. I wouldn’t mind trying
another book by Lori Benton. I also think that there are many who will enjoy
this book.
I received this book from WaterBrook Press in exchange for my honest review. I was under no
obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely
my own.
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