The Birthright

"The Birthright" tricks you at the very beginning, with its gentle opening in a waking town, but within the first chapter it hits the adventure button and doesn't let up until the very end. There's hardly a thing that DOESN'T happen to Miriam, its charming and endearing heroine, and there's never a moment when you feel outside of the hefty amount of action. That's really the great thing about this book - it doesn't just take you into the action, it makes you a participant in the journeys of its various characters. Then again, it's hard not to feel like a participant when you've seen the heroine grow from a precocious and independent child into a strong and spirited woman, and especially when said heroine is as captivating as Miriam. Beset by trials on all sides, from the simple question of "Where can I live?" to the more complex matters of the heart, Miriam navigates her way through her world with both maturity and anxiety. Blissfully unaware in the beginning of her own inner strength, she grows into it very satisfyingly while rising to the ever-growing catalogue of challenges thrown at her. Bluntly put, she is a fantastic heroine to cheer for, as well as being thoroughly enjoyable. Speaking of thoroughly enjoyable, I should probably mention Jacob, the hero, who is every bit as compelling and lovable as Miriam. He has his own journey to go on, one that throws him into situations as complicated and as heartwrenching as Miriam's, and while she remains the focus point of the book, he is by no means neglected! By the end of the book, they are more than worthy of each other, a phenomenon that, alas, is not as common as it should be. I could go on for pages about the vivid descriptions, the myriad plot twists, and the enormous cast of supporting characters, some adorable, others...well, not so adorable. But suffice it to say that "The Birthright" is a great read, and one that you will not regret.

An excellent book beautifully written by a talented author. Heart-wrenching, emotional, and romantic, The Birthright is in a class all its own. Once you start reading, you cannot put it down until you have devoured all pages!