Review of Lori Benton's Burning Sky by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Burning Sky

Burning Sky

By Lori Benton

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels
5 Stars *****

I received an ARC.  I cannot imagine what they could have changed from the ARC that would have improved the book. Nor am I under compulsion to give this book a positive review—but I'd dare them to stop me from doing so as I loved this story!

This book will or should win awards next year. Wilhemina “Willa” Obenchain was a 14-year-old girl living in a community in upstate NewYork when she was kidnapped and taken in by the Mohawks. She married and had two children but her family is now gone and she has walked all the way back to her family home only to find no one there—that is except a wounded man, and his dog.

What a beautiful tale that meanders at a perfect pace. The repercussions of war are felt by all. Willa’s Mohawk “brother” who has more than sibling affection for her still hunts deserters for the British and there is one hiding in Willa’s community.  Willa’s old sweetheart, Richard, who pursued the kidnapped girl for months, his hopes destroyed. Now an embittered man whose soul has been lost in his anger and bitterness at the loss of innocent Willa, the girl he loved, and now comes face-to-face with Willa the survivor, widow of a Mohawk and mother of two deceased metis children. Lori Benton also incorporated a special sweet character, a young man who may be autistic.

God brings Willa full circle.  While she has lost everything she regains much.

Bibliotherapy aspects: Almost all of the main characters suffers from Post Traumatic Disorder in some form but they all react differently.  Willa has withdrawn and is shell-shocked.  Richard is angry. Joseph seems a little perplexed and is possibly the most rational of the characters.  The hero not only is recovering from PTSD but he also has survived a scalping attempt that has left him with a brain injury causing him to be unable to read any more.   Neil MacGregor has had to reinvent himself, too, like Willa. When two metis orphans come into their lives you can’t help but root for the little group to become a family.

Excellent pacing and a book you’ll have a hard time putting down. And a very satisfying ending, which I love! While this lovely book has a strong literary feel to it, Lori Benton doesn’t pull any literary “gimmicks” that I’ve seen in other books that have off-put me from finishing the story.  Rather, she seamlessly weaves a literary book with a broad appeal to historical and romance readers in both inspirational and I believe in the secular market as well. Bravo, Lori!

GIVEAWAY:  Copy of Lori's novel in paperback or ebook (ebook only for international winners.)