Sawyer's
novel explores two kinds of slavery with the theme of freedom running
through both. Fanny's father had signed an agreement while in Europe
that provided the entire family be transported to America in return
for their eldest daughter spending seven years on a riverboat,
entertaining by singing. Fanny's experience on the riverboat was not
a good one. She was held captive, locked in a small cabin on the
lowest part of the boat. And it looked like she would never be
allowed to leave. When disaster strikes the boat, she takes a chance
for freedom.
The
other kind of slavery is is that of Blacks. It's 1860 and some are
escaping the south through an underground railroad. The path of an
escaping family merges with that of the escaping Fanny for a time.
I
liked the tension Sawyer provided as Fanny tried to live a new life
of freedom while being pursued by Sloan, the riverboat captain. I
really felt Sloan was an inconsistent character and his actions near
the end of the novel were just too unbelievable. That made the
resolution to the tension less than adequate. I liked the eventual
setting of the freedom of being in the wide open spaces of
homesteading.
The
novel gives good insight into issues of the era, both indentured work
and slavery. I did feel the plot was rather predictable and the
ultimate action of resolution less than satisfactory. There is a good
faith message included.
You
can read an excerpt here.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
Kim
Vogel Sawyer is a bestselling author with more than 1.5 million books
in print in seven different languages. Her novels have earned the
ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and the
Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. She lives in central Kansas with
her retired military husband. She enjoys spending time with her three
daughters and grandchildren. You can find out more at
https://kimvogelsawyer.com/.
WaterBrook,
352 pages.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My
comments are an independent and honest review.
(My
star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it,
1-I hate it.)
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