I had previously reviewed another of Benton's work, "The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn". A book which kept me reading into the late hours of the night to find out what happened. So, to have the opportunity to review another of her novels, was definitely a treat.
This book is called "The Wood's Edge". And like it predecessor, it kept me intrigued.
A quick synopsis of the book....
This book starts at Fort Henry with a British soldier, Major Reginald Aubrey switching his dead infant son with one of a set of twins born to a woman of the Native American Oneida tribe (Good Voice). One of her babies was born dark skinned and the other white. Having been delirious during delivery Heledd Aubrey, does not notice the switch.
Not long after, the fort comes under attack and everyone inside must flee. On her way out, Good Voice realizes that one of the children she carries, is not her own. But, it is too late to go back to find the other. Meanwhile, Major Aubrey saves a girl whose parents have been murdered on the roadside (Anna), and decides to raise her as his own.
While recovering from war injuries, Major Aubrey is being taken care of by a local apothecary and his family. The apothecary's daughter Lydia has decided to name the little girl rescued Anna Catherine.
A few years later, the Aubrey's are settled in a farm in New York. Heledd has never accepted Anna as her own, but the "son" she calls William is never found without Anna. The two grow up as close as two children can be. But, as William grows older, his mother convinces his father to educate him overseas in London. So, William and Anna are separated, with the promise of letters.
Running into the woods after William leaves, Anna meets Two Hawks, an Oneida boy with his uncle and father. The two are immediate friends.
On the flipside of this story is also the tale of Good Voice, her husband Stone Thrower and their son Two Hawks. This family has never gotten over the loss of Two Hawks twin, who they refer to as He-Is-Taken. When they find the location of Aubrey's house, a plan goes into effect to try and get He-Is-Taken back.
This story follows the plan, including the building of the friendship between Two Hawks and Anna, the guilt of Reginald Aubrey, the growing up of Lydia, and the journey that they all must make to find their way in God's path.
I am not going to spoil the book and tell you what happens when Anna finds out that the two men she cares about, Two Hawks and William are twins. But, it definitely kept me glued to the pages. I cannot wait for the next installment in this series.
All in all, this book was definitely worth the read. The back and forth POV's of both Anna, Aubrey, Lydia, Two Hawks and Good Voice gave you a detailed account of what was going on in all sides of the story. It was beautiful to watch all of the characters grow in the 10+ years this story took place, and to see them find God even when they thought that they didn't deserve it.
Can both families survive this without bloodshed? To find out you'll have to read it.
If anyone is interested in the book, it can be found here.
Disclaimer: This book was provided to me to review by Blogging for Books. For more information about their program, please visit them at www.bloggingforbooks.org
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