Winner of the North American Book Award for Best Historical Fiction“An elegiac, hopeful historical novel… hypnotic.” -Kirkus Reviews “An extraordinary new historical novel.” -Akron Beacon JournalOn a humid day in June 1806, on the edge of Ohio’s Great Black Swamp, seventeen-year-old Susanna Quiner watches from behind a maple tree as a band of Potawatomi Indians kidnaps her four older sisters … her four older sisters from their cabin. With both her parents dead from Swamp Fever and all the other settlers out in their fields, Susanna makes the rash decision to pursue them herself. What follows is a young woman’s quest to find her sisters, and the parallel story of her sisters’ new lives.
Over the course of one summer, the lives of all five women are transformed as they contend with starvation, slavery, betrayal, and love. Fast-paced, richly detailed, this is a riveting novel that demonstrates the true wildness of the wilderness, and the rugged perseverance of those who find themselves there.
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I’m always attracted to novels about the so-called “Pioneer Days,” If I had lived during that time, I’d like to think I would’ve been one of the women heading out into the wilderness, joining a wagon train, or living in a sod house on the prairie. There’s a certain allure I can’t really explain. Drawn to this book for those reasons, I knew it …
This is simply an excellent book.
In Ohio, in 1806s, five recently orphaned sisters–all red-haired and ranging in age from 17 to 23–contemplate whether to stay in Ohio, managing their late parents general store, or to return to Philadelphia. Then native Americans–in an act completely out of character with the Potawatomis tribe at …
This is a Marvelous story of how life can change in the blink of an eye. Persarverance, loyalty, dedication, adapting to change, acceptance of change, moving forward under the worst circumstances; I could go on and on. I was completely enthralled and moved as this story flowed from beginning to end!
Witty, wonderful and tragic. This is an historical tale about sisters taken by indians. No happy-ever-after here, but the ending was satisfying in its own way. I’ll read this book more than once.
Severne, Ohio is the setting for this historical fiction, and I think the contents were almost too realistic because the book was heartbreaking. Five sisters, age seventeen to twenty-three are trying to decide whether to remain in the Ohio wilderness or to return to Philadelphia. Their parents had recently died of swamp fever, and the young women …
Interesting story about five sisters, 4 abducted by a small troupe of Potowatomie Indians, and one who decides to follow and find her sisters. Great descriptions of the customs of different tribes and cultural treatment of captives. Unique outcomes for each captive and for their determined “rescuer.”
This is a book I didn’t want to put down. Character’s were very believable.
I enjoyed reading this book.
This book was well-written and kept me interested and intrigued thgroughout.
I loved it. It was so good. I Couldn’t put it down . It was so realistic!
I really enjoyed this book. It was an original story that kept me engaged.
This is one of the BEST historical fiction books I have read recently. I love that it is based on a true story. It is romantic in a real life messy love kind of way.
Suberb! A girl sees her sisters abducted by indians, and embarks on an adventure to save them, with some assistance from a young native. She finds courage and strength she didn’t realize she had, as well as some surprising developments about her sisters, some good and some not so good. This story is a rareity–not all of the Caucasians are …
It kept me reading with an interesting story line.
I enjoyed this book, it had many unexpected twists and turns. I will definitely look for more from this author.
Loved this book, kept my attention from beginning to end. Highly recommended.
This wonderful story takes place in Northwest Ohio in 1806. Sisters are captured by Indians. Another sister follows them seeking their release. You are captured from the very first sentence. The story is so unpredictable but realistic. Sad but also joyous! There are so many twists and turns that were totally unexpected. I really cared about every …
Good pioneer book
Enjoyed this historical fiction centered around America 1820’s. Susanna’s three sisters are kidnapped from their home unexpectedly by Indians. She witnesses their capture, while hidden outside. This story is about her struggle to find and rescue her family. Her journey is long and perilous, and takes her through disappointment and betrayal. In …
I could not put this book down. I was drawn into the native American lifestyle and was sad when it ended.