Review: Compelling and Bittersweet
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 11, 2014
Over the past several months I have read an eclectic mix of romance novels and I find this one to be one of the best for several reasons.First, most romance novels have the same basic elements:  boy meets girl, sexual tension, acknowledgement of attraction, sex, and they live happily ever after with their soul mate.  Forgive my skepticism but most women even today do not find their sexual soul mate and live happily ever after.  So for me the fact that Rachael finds her soul mate and then doesn't spend the rest of her life living happily ever after with him smacks of real life.Second, the characters have depth and personality.  Rachel has spirit and her love for her children drives her on.  Tall Bull is intelligent, honorable, and practical.  The books I like best are the ones where I think I would actually want to know the characters as people if they were real.  I feel a connection to both Rachel and Tall Bull.Third, while there is violence in this story it doesn't seem inappropriate for the period.  Manifest Destiny was the law of the land.  White men treated Native Americans as if they weren't even people.  They committed atrocities and Native Americans replied in kind.  Doesn't the Bible call this an eye for an eye.  Furthermore, this behavior isn't so different from today if one looks at what is happening in other parts of the world.  Think about how women are treated in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Middle East, and Africa (think Somalia).  I get that some people may not want to read about it but don't act like it doesn't happen.There are a few of things that could use more detail.  First, during the raid on the farm Tall Bull says the 3 women will make good trade, ransom or 2nd / 3rd wives.  Why then does he leave her behind.  Historically they took captives or killed them they didn't taunt them to follow along.  Why taunt her and keep going back?  Are we supposed to believe he already wants her?  A little soon in the story, don't you think.  Second, we know Rachel has to be over 30 and has been in 2 relationships.  Tall Bull also has to be over 30 and has no woman.  There is no hint of any other prior relationship for a 30 plus year old man.  Also, why does Tall Bull freak out when Yellow Horse rapes her.  Is this behavior just male pride (can't touch my stuff) or were Native America women supposed to chose death over survival.  This isn't explained to my satisfaction.  In spite of these 3 things I still rate this book a strong 4 because I keep thinking about the story mentally reviewing events.  I know I will reread this book.