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Apr 09, 2021ryner rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This affecting historical fiction, set in the first half of the 17th century, takes place in what is now Canada at a time when Huron and Iroquois are in the midst of a series of ongoing retaliatory attacks. Complicating matters, French Jesuits have begun traveling west from French Canada, embedding themselves and attempting conversion among the native populations, while unknowingly also bringing devastating disease. An elegant narrative, told from multiple perspectives, depicts in vivid detail the tragic dynamic at play during this dark time in history. Reading the first few chapters, I wasn't certain this book was for me, but I was soon swept away into the story and found it difficult to put down. That said, I feel conflicted having read more about the author, who claims First Nations connections, and has even accepted awards intended for writers with native ancestry, but has been unable or unwilling to provide evidence of those claims.