Sunday, May 15, 2016

Book Review: A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton


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Title: A Flight of Arrows

Author: Lori Benton

Series: The Pathfinders #2

Genre: Historical

Audience: Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

October 1776 - August 1777

It is said that what a man sows he will reap - and for such a harvest there is no set season. No one connected to Reginald Aubrey is untouched by the crime he committed twenty years ago.

Not William, the Oneida child Reginald stole and raised as his own. Identity shattered, enlisted in the British army, William trains with Loyalist refugees eager to annihilate the rebels who forced them into exile. Coming to terms with who and what he is proves impossible, but if he breaks his Loyalist oath, he'll be no better than the man who constructed his life of lies.

Not Anna, Reginald's adopted daughter, nor Two Hawks, William's twin, both who long for Reginald to accept their love despite the challenges they will face, building a marriage that bridges two cultures.

Not Good Voice and Stone Thrower, freed of bitterness by a courageous act of forgiveness, but still yearning for their firstborn son and fearful for the future of their Oneida people.

As the British prepare to attack frontier New York and Patriot regiments rally to defend it, two families separated by culture, united by love, will do all in their power to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies.
 

~ MY REVIEW ~
**4 stars**

How exciting it was to dive back into the thrilling world of Anna, Two Hawks, and their tangled families, in the year 1776. A Flight of Arrows, book two in THE PATHFINDERS series, continues from The Wood's Edge, to finish it's intriguing tale. Oh, how I love Lori Benton's novels, with their depth and richness, beauty and sorrow.

Amidst harrowing battles of the American colonies' War for Independence, two families struggle with forgiveness, bitterness, acceptance ... Torn asunder, they strive desperately to be reunited. For unity and healing. But can they bridge the gap between the white men and Native Americans?
     The journey to restore William, and to receive approval for Two Hawk's and Anna's love, has begun.

Lori Benton has a beautiful writing style - it just draws you in. I quite enjoyed this book, with its twists and turns, ups and downs. The theme of redemption and grace, so poignant and bittersweet! Anna's struggle to forgive and honor her father, pulled between him and Two Hawks as she is, was very real. A Flight of Arrows doesn't gloss over the trials and pain; characters do not get the easy way out, but are forced to deal with their mistakes, and also the sin of others. The faith aspect is deep here. God is near; you can see His hand weaving together the brokenness into something beautiful. I loved these journeys of faith! The mending of relationships! The choosing to do the hard thing, because it is the right thing. Very thoughtful and profound.

Two Hawks and Anna ... I love them!! I only wish there could have been more of them together! Often, in this book, came heartrending separations. So yes, I wish there could be another book for them!
     I so enjoyed getting to know William better. Loved his journey. Love where he is now. Also was so happy to see more of Good Voice, Stone Thrower, and Lydia. Reginald isn't my favorite character, I have to admit, but his story is an amazing one, a good one, as well.
    It's all so masterful, how their lives twine together. Heartbreaking and bitter in some ways, yet joy and such beauty come through!

I'm thrilled to have A Flight of Arrows on my bookshelf, and can't wait to get The Wood's Edge to sit beside it! So beautiful, these two! ^_^
     But I suppose the reason for rating A Flight of Arrows a star less than the first book is ... well, it was a hard book in some ways. The separation. The sacrifice. And though you see God's hand so powerfully in the circumstances, even the hard ones, I still felt there was so much tension and pain and fear, it was hard for me to relax in the end and enjoy the beauty of the Epilogue. I suppose I'll have to go back and read it again after I've had more time to take in everything that happened.

But overall, A Flight of Arrows concludes this dramatic tale in a thought-provoking, powerful, and lovely way. I love the history, the family aspect, the romance, and the faith themes of Lori Benton's novels. And absolutely can't wait to read more!

I received a copy of A Flight of Arrows from Blogging For Books program in exchange for my honest review.

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