Blackrobe

I read this book as a fan of North American historical fiction. There was brief period where the story's setting was Europe and I was losing interest and almost put the book down. Guilt about starting a book and not finishing it forced me to stick with it. I was entirely glad that I did. The story was wonderful and left me wanting more. The descriptions and details provided by the author were great without being too much. Luckily this was only the first in a series. I am about to start the second book, Bloodbrothers and I hope it will be just as good.

This is probably the best book of this 7 part series. It is rich in history and wonderful story telling. The characters are reminiscent of a Dickens novel - unforgettable. The main character, Stephen Nowell, has all the makings of a legendary hero. The author takes us on a remarkable journey from the world of a prominent Boston family, to Jesuit life in French Canada and then on to the battlefields with the French and the British colonial armies. You'll be on the edge of your seat as a family searches for a lost child - stolen by a Native Canadian, scarred by bigotry and set on revenge. It is a highly romantic adventure story - full of heroes and villains - and many page-turning twists. Written by an American historian who taught his students to appreciate history through story-telling -you won't want to put this book down. You'll be happy to know that the saga continues through 6 more books! Although this one was my favorite - the rest are equally addictive.