Review: Wonderful characters in a breathtaking setting
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 17, 2013
I really enjoyed TETON SPLENDOR by Peggy L. Henderson. Even the secondary characters are fully-realized individuals, and the main characters, Joseph and Sophie/Raven, are so appealing that they jump off the page and into the reader's heart. The attraction and chemistry between them is so strong, it's practically a character all by itself.The author's love for the wild, Western country Joseph and Sophie traverse is apparent throughout the story. Settings are vividly described, allowing the reader to fully visualize that beautiful, rugged land. The dangers and challenges to survival in the wilderness are neither ignored nor sugar-coated, but Sophie learns for herself what Joseph has always known: the land is also a place of exhilarating beauty, freedom, and joy.The scope of the story moves easily from the expansive to the intimate. Joseph and Sophie face danger not only from those who wish them harm, but also from the hazards of the country itself. They also must deal with the very real social barriers that separate them, even as their attraction to, and feelings for, one another grow ever more powerful.The quality of Ms. Henderson's writing is very high. The narrative flows easily, and there is appealing humor. Characters talk to one another in a believable and natural way, and never seem out of place or time. My only quibble is with the "Epilog." It's the lead-in for another book, rather than a wrap-up of TETON SPLENDOR. That was confusing and a little disappointing. Calling the passage something like "Preview," rather than "Epilog," would have taken care of that problem. Very minor issue, though. Overall, I happily recommend TETON SPLENDOR.