The Call of Zulina: Grace in Africa Series #1

I usually take a new book with me when I travel by air. In most cases, I'm able to read going and coming. I usually reserve my flight book just for flying and airport-waiting time. This last flight was different. I started reading The Call of Zulina after I settled in my seat and I kept reading after arriving at my destination. The story and characters were so engaging I couldn't wait for the return flight to finish. Kay Marshall Strom's story is somewhat based on fact - a white slave-trader married to an African. That in of itself makes a compelling reason to read the book of eighteenth-century slave trade in West African. It is, however, their daughter Grace who is the focus of the story. Grace is the couple's only child and is raised to be a proper English lady. Her life changes dramatically when her father promises her in marriage as part of a business arrangement. When Grace runs away from the marriage, and from her home, she learns the truth behind her father's wealth and her mother's anger. Thrown suddenly into the world of kidnapped natives as an African, Grace is respected by some of the captives because of her attempts to help them. Others distrust her because she's their capturer's daughter. The Call of Zulina is the first in the Grace in Africa trilogy. This series is more than a good story. Ms. Storm is attempting to use story telling to shine a light on the continued problem of slavery. She notes on her website ([...]) that although its been more than 200 years since the first anti-slavery law was passed, it continues under nicer names of sex trafficking, human trafficking, bonded labor, or child labor. Ms. Strom says, " . . . today slavery is against the law in every country of the world. It is up to us to demand that those laws be enforced." The book includes a lexicon of words used by native African people and slave traders. I didn't refer to the lexicon while reading because Ms. Strom"s writing makes each one clear within context. Discussion question are also included, which are ideal for a book club, and for high school students. Students can learn about the humanity behind the facts of slave trade. Don't wait for a flight across country to read The Call of Zulina. Do prepare to be so enthralled with Grace's tale that you don't want to leave.

I just finished the Call of Zulina and I was pleasantly surprised. I read a variety of Christian fiction in search of well written stories and unfortunately the pickings are slim. I read that Kay Strom mostly writes non-ficition and I think that's what I love about her writing technique, the way she tells certain parts of the story almost as if she were writing a non-fiction piece like you'd see in a newspaper. While the subject matter of the Call of Zulina is heavy, she has a great way of zooming in close when it's necessary for the reader to really FEEL what's going on, but also a great way of zooming out to give us our space and not totally overwhelm us with horrible details so we can stick with it without sinking into depression over the atrocities of that time. I always love it when a writer can step out of the norm and surprise and engage me and Kay Strom did that. I'm looking forward to reading the next books that come out in the series.

This is a good book. This is an interesting subject with Grace a daughter of a Black Princess and White slave trader but neither black or white. How Kay weaves the story its interesting and very captivating. I was crying at times with emotion and the book had me captivated. This is a moving book and deal in a real way about slavery and the way it was looked on. After reading books like this it just shows how bad slavery was and the whole slave trade and made me feel so sad for those people. There is alot of emotion and true courage in this book and I would recommend everyone read it. Its the type of story that needs to be read so we don't forget what did happen but at the same time make sure it never happens again. Thanks Kay for a wonderful thought provoking and emotional book cant wait for book 2.

The Call of Zulina by Kay Marshall Strom is book one of the Grace in Africa series. Living in Africa in 1787, Grace Winslow has been raised with all of the finer things in life; education, beautiful clothing, and a luxurious home, but she's lacking the one thing that matters most: freedom. The daughter of an African princess and white slave trader, she's trapped between two worlds. In an attempt to escape from betrothal to a repugnant man, she flees the family compound only to be captured as used as a pawn between the tribes fighting for their freedom and her parents desire for wealth and power. Grace's growth throughout the story is truly amazing. She starts out as a young, naive woman convinced that just around the corner is someone who can rescue her, but after witnessing and experiencing unimaginable violence, she starts to become a strong, spirited woman of God. Strom perfectly renders the utter hopelessness of the slaves in the fortress of Zulina. There is no way out and no place to go if they could escape. The cover of the book is misleading as it looks like a standard historical romance, but this book is anything but with its unflinching depiction of slavery and the characters' fight for hope. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

As the book opens the reader immediately gets caught up in the tension apparent in the family - an uneasy combination of the ethnic and cultural differences.Grace is ripped from her life of privilege and forced to see the reality of her family's business. In that time of trial she comes to see that she can be the person God made her to be and not tainted by the evil choices of her parents. Strom is an excellent writer who captures your imagination and heart with her characters. A great book.