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Seeds of America #3
Ashes
Freedom for one, freedom for all?
That's the question that burns in Isabel's mind as she and Curzon forge on through chaos and fear toward the dream that's kept them alive for so many years: freedom. But her dream of living not as a "runaway" but as a free person with land and a family of her own seems impossibly far away. That dream hinges on one thing: finding her little sister, Ruth. It's been years since Ruth was stolen from her. Is she even alive? And if Isabel can find her, how will they make it safely through the war between the Patriots and the British that rages on as dangerously as ever, while bounty hunters try to kidnap them at every turn?
In the American Revolution, one must pick a side in order to survive. But how can you care about a nation's freedom when the very same nation has kept you in chains?
A heart-pounding and riveting story of perseverance and hope, Ashes is the highly anticipated conclusion to Laurie Halse Anderson's award-winning Seeds of America trilogy.
That's the question that burns in Isabel's mind as she and Curzon forge on through chaos and fear toward the dream that's kept them alive for so many years: freedom. But her dream of living not as a "runaway" but as a free person with land and a family of her own seems impossibly far away. That dream hinges on one thing: finding her little sister, Ruth. It's been years since Ruth was stolen from her. Is she even alive? And if Isabel can find her, how will they make it safely through the war between the Patriots and the British that rages on as dangerously as ever, while bounty hunters try to kidnap them at every turn?
In the American Revolution, one must pick a side in order to survive. But how can you care about a nation's freedom when the very same nation has kept you in chains?
A heart-pounding and riveting story of perseverance and hope, Ashes is the highly anticipated conclusion to Laurie Halse Anderson's award-winning Seeds of America trilogy.
298 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2016
About the author
Laurie Halse Anderson
93 books17.2k followersUPDATE! SHOUT, my memoir in verse, is out, has received 9 starred reviews, and was longlisted for the National Book Award!
For bio stuff: Laurie Halse Anderson is a New York Times bestselling author whose writing spans young readers, teens, and adults. Combined, her books have sold more than 8 million copies. Her new book, SHOUT, a memoir-in-verse about surviving sexual assault at the age of thirteen and a manifesta for the #MeToo era, has received widespread critical acclaim and appeared on the New York Times bestseller list for seven consecutive weeks.
Laurie has been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award four times. Two of her books, Speak and Chains, were National Book Award finalists, and Chains was short-listed for the prestigious Carnegie medal. Two more books, Shout and The Impossible Knife of Memory, were long-listed for the National Book Award. Laurie was selected by the American Library Association for the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award and has been honored for her battles for intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English.
In addition to combating censorship, Laurie regularly speaks about the need for diversity in publishing and is a member of RAINN’s National Leadership Council. She lives in Philadelphia, where she enjoys cheesesteaks while she writes. Find out more about Laurie by following her on Twitter at @halseanderson, Instagram at halseanderson, and Facebook at lauriehalseanderson, or by visiting her website, madwomanintheforest.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 861 reviews
Want to read
May 23, 2014Why does the release date keep getting pushed ahead? ERGH! I need to know what happens! How does everything turn out?
October 22, 2017
When will this book come out? I am dying to read it! It was over a year and a half ago that I read Forge, so I'm getting really antsy for Ashes. Please come out soon!
Want to read
October 21, 2011Waaa! The audio version of this book is supposed to come out this week. Clearly Halse Anderson has finished it, but we must wait until January for the actual book to come out! Noooo! Chains and Forge, the first two books in this trilogy are among the best historical fiction books that I have ever read.
May 24, 2016
I've been waiting a long time for this book and, man oh man, it was worth the wait. The conclusion to the trilogy that began with Chains, Ashes takes the reader back to Isabelle and Curzon's story. I cried more than once while reading and could not put it down. I even snuck in a few pages while standing in line at the deli counter today!
I'm thrilled that this story has grown with it's readers (Isabelle and Curzon are in their late teens now) while still maintaining it's appeal to middle school and high school readers. And as a #hamilfan, I think I have an even deeper appreciation for the historical accuracy in the trilogy.
I'm thrilled that this story has grown with it's readers (Isabelle and Curzon are in their late teens now) while still maintaining it's appeal to middle school and high school readers. And as a #hamilfan, I think I have an even deeper appreciation for the historical accuracy in the trilogy.
March 9, 2017
My words will never justly express my love, adoration and appreciation of Ashes and the entire Seeds of America trilogy. I am said and satisfied I've read them. The historical research and attention to detail was worth the decade journey LHA took to write them. The best and most surprising part of this book is the relationship between Isabel and Curzon. Never have I ever read a YA piece that creates such a deliciously deep, complex and rich relationship between two characters. Even my middle school students wouldn't be bothered by the "mushy love stuff" because it wasn't about that. It was about trust, friendship, loyalty, values, friends as family...I could go on and on. I look forward to rereading again soon. Thank you LHA!
December 24, 2016
I enjoyed this last book more than its predecessor: Forge. Former slaves Curzon and Isabel are traveling south at great personal risk to find Isabel's younger sister, who was sent away to punish Isabel's rebellious nature. Her adoptive family sends her with them (in search of freedom), but tensions are high among all. Curzon eventually joins the patriot army and much of the story is centered around the battle of Yorktown as Isabel and her sister gravitate there too find work as their resources wane because of unexpected substantial, but essential costs.
April 3, 2017
I really enjoyed how this series and the stories of Isabel, Curzon, and Ruth wrapped up. Though I was a little sad that I didn't get to read more about what Isabel and Curzon experienced while trying to get to Ruth, I did appreciate that Ruth and Isabel's reunion happened early on in the book. It had been years since they had been separated, and there would inevitably be some bumps on the road to being reconciled, and I very much enjoyed reading about that process.
Isabel is such a strong, courageous character, and I loved having her voice back as the narrator. She isn't perfect, by any means, and it was touching to see her figure out her own foibles and missteps in trying to reconnect with her sister.
I also loved the viewpoint of the patriotism black people had at the time. They knew that they weren't likely to receive freedom from the Revolutionary War; they knew that the army would most likely recant on any promises of freedom that they had made. They also knew that once the war was over, whether freed legally or freed by their own means, they would be in constant danger of being kidnapped and sold back into slavery. Yet so many of these courageous men and women fought for the promise of freedom in a new land. They fought on the hope that one day, they would be included in the phrase "All men are created equal." They fought knowing that once the Revolutionary War ended, their war for equality would be far from over. Despite all of that, they still believed in the United States of America. Their stories are so often forgotten, which is a shame because they are so inspiring to read.
Isabel is such a strong, courageous character, and I loved having her voice back as the narrator. She isn't perfect, by any means, and it was touching to see her figure out her own foibles and missteps in trying to reconnect with her sister.
I also loved the viewpoint of the patriotism black people had at the time. They knew that they weren't likely to receive freedom from the Revolutionary War; they knew that the army would most likely recant on any promises of freedom that they had made. They also knew that once the war was over, whether freed legally or freed by their own means, they would be in constant danger of being kidnapped and sold back into slavery. Yet so many of these courageous men and women fought for the promise of freedom in a new land. They fought on the hope that one day, they would be included in the phrase "All men are created equal." They fought knowing that once the Revolutionary War ended, their war for equality would be far from over. Despite all of that, they still believed in the United States of America. Their stories are so often forgotten, which is a shame because they are so inspiring to read.
November 26, 2016
Love, love, LOVE. I'm sad it's over. I read it slowly on purpose just for that reason.
Shelved as 'top-25'
October 13, 2016According to a recent blog post made by the author in September 2012 it seems that Ashes is not finished (or perhaps even started). However, there have been no new posts since September 23rd, so it is possible things have changed. She writes:
"I am writing again like,…. well, like a madwoman. My health has been good this summer (last year it really sucked) and although I have have a bunch of tests and doctor visits later this month, I think it will be smooth sailing ahead. I’m hoping to give my new YA to my editor by Halloween and then, AND THEN I get to dive into the historical research for ASHES, which will be an absolute delight."
So according to this post, she has not started the research for Ashes (or the writing of it) and has another YA book to finish before she begins, so it's probably going to be a while. So, it seems like 2014 might be the year for Ashes. Maybe (it has been pushed back a few times). Amazon has set the Kindle version to March 2014- I think that's a reasonable deadline given the information available.
"I am writing again like,…. well, like a madwoman. My health has been good this summer (last year it really sucked) and although I have have a bunch of tests and doctor visits later this month, I think it will be smooth sailing ahead. I’m hoping to give my new YA to my editor by Halloween and then, AND THEN I get to dive into the historical research for ASHES, which will be an absolute delight."
So according to this post, she has not started the research for Ashes (or the writing of it) and has another YA book to finish before she begins, so it's probably going to be a while. So, it seems like 2014 might be the year for Ashes. Maybe (it has been pushed back a few times). Amazon has set the Kindle version to March 2014- I think that's a reasonable deadline given the information available.
September 18, 2020
I finished reading this trilogy for my studies in middle grade literature.
September 30, 2016
5.0 I was so lucky to get my hands on an advance copy of Ashes thanks to the generosity of a few friends who knew how much I enjoyed the first two instalments in this series.
The conclusion of an anticipated trilogy is always filled with excitement, but also concern that it is not going to meet the lofty expectations of the previous titles. Ashes not only met my hopes for the third book, but exceeded them. Right from the start Laurie Halse Anderson threw me for a loop and took the story in a direction that I had not predicted at all. It created yet another wonderful layer of suspense that added immensely to my enjoyment of the story.
Even though this is a middle grade/young adult novel I found myself totally engrossed in the plot and not wanting to put the book down. Halse Anderson is a truly gifted writer and her ability to weave multiple complex isssues into captivating, brilliant, simple and yet beautiful writing makes her easily one of my absolute favorites. It is so nice to have a young adult book that has complex themes that adults can enjoy without the trash that so many authors tend to feel the need to put in their books. It once again speaks to her skills as a storyteller and to her as a person. Her ability to embody human emotion between people is so sweet, so lovely and so refreshing. It is that authentic human element that she brings to her stories that really is so inspiring.
When you add to all of that her skill at weaving in wonderful historical facts that she relates to current issues it is truly the perfect combination. I definitely enjoyed the extra historical information at the end and I can't think of a better way to learn about the American Revolution, slavery, the creation of the United States and the legacy of all of that today. I can only hope that this is not her last foray into historical fiction. In conclusion this book ultimately made me feel as if I had frogs hopping around in my stomach!
The conclusion of an anticipated trilogy is always filled with excitement, but also concern that it is not going to meet the lofty expectations of the previous titles. Ashes not only met my hopes for the third book, but exceeded them. Right from the start Laurie Halse Anderson threw me for a loop and took the story in a direction that I had not predicted at all. It created yet another wonderful layer of suspense that added immensely to my enjoyment of the story.
Even though this is a middle grade/young adult novel I found myself totally engrossed in the plot and not wanting to put the book down. Halse Anderson is a truly gifted writer and her ability to weave multiple complex isssues into captivating, brilliant, simple and yet beautiful writing makes her easily one of my absolute favorites. It is so nice to have a young adult book that has complex themes that adults can enjoy without the trash that so many authors tend to feel the need to put in their books. It once again speaks to her skills as a storyteller and to her as a person. Her ability to embody human emotion between people is so sweet, so lovely and so refreshing. It is that authentic human element that she brings to her stories that really is so inspiring.
When you add to all of that her skill at weaving in wonderful historical facts that she relates to current issues it is truly the perfect combination. I definitely enjoyed the extra historical information at the end and I can't think of a better way to learn about the American Revolution, slavery, the creation of the United States and the legacy of all of that today. I can only hope that this is not her last foray into historical fiction. In conclusion this book ultimately made me feel as if I had frogs hopping around in my stomach!
Want to read
July 25, 2012WHY AREN'T YOU OUT YET???
November 15, 2016
Worth the wait!
September 6, 2016
Laurie Halse Anderson's brilliant conclusion to her Revolutionary War trilogy brings the war years of the struggling new nation to life in surprising ways. Our favorite characters: Isabel, Ruth, and Curzon are together again as they work towards the freedom of a nation that does not deem them free. I learn so much reading her books. For instance, I didn't know that Rhode Island offered freedom to any slaves who fought in the Revolutionary War and honored it. Meanwhile, our Founding Fathers rounded up their runaway slaves who were prisoners with the British and made them slaves again. Ten thousand escaped to New Foundland and some from there to Sierra Leone. And up to 20% of the Patriot soldiers in our Revolutionary War were blacks! But the History is the bonus. Ashes is a great story with suspense, twists, turns, betrayals, discoveries, sacrifices, and love. And Laurie Halse Anderson is visiting O. Henry Middle School on October 24! Yea Book People!
April 30, 2015
I give up - I will never read another Laurie Halse Anderson book. I have waited more than FIVE YEARS for her to wrap up this story, and Anderson has pushed the publication date on this book back at least EIGHT TIMES now - she constantly announces new dates and insists she is "finishing ASHES up right now!" but when the date arrives, there is a new publication date six months down the road again. It is clear that she has no clue how to finish this series, and didn't plan out the whole plot before she began writing. She's just stringing readers along at this point, and it is beyond irritating. I will give my time to authors who can actually finish the stories they create in the future.
December 26, 2018
War is coming, and Isabel is forced to choose a side, British or the rebels.
This story is not only about surviving, but protecting the ones you care about. In this book, characters relationships towards one another are constantly growing. They gained trust in others and formed relationships to strive for their freedom. Supporting one another through the worst of times.
This story is not only about surviving, but protecting the ones you care about. In this book, characters relationships towards one another are constantly growing. They gained trust in others and formed relationships to strive for their freedom. Supporting one another through the worst of times.
October 11, 2020
This series should be even more popular with the popularity of Hamilton right now. A great end to a great series. Full review to come on Lisa Loves Literature soon.
October 29, 2016
First, I had to read summaries of Chains and Forge, because I couldn't remember what was happening. Not a great start. Second, I really did not like Isabel or Ruth. Ruth is depicted in some scenes as a mentally disabled character, yet has more insight and is more astute than Isabel in many ways. It was really, really cruel that Isabel yanked Ruth out of the one home she remembered; I felt Isabel was an incredibly selfish character, and her sudden change from being closed-off to telling Curzon she loves him didn't feel real. The plodding of the characters journeying through the wilderness got a little tedious, and the epigraphs were distracting.
I suppose I am satisfied with where all the characters ended up; this just still feels incomplete. THIS is a novel that needs an epilogue; we're left wondering if Isabel and Ruth remain free or if they're resold into enslavement and what happens to Curzon and Isabel. There was so much lead-up to a climax that doesn't really happen, and the ending feels rushed. Ultimately, the long delay between books erased any tension between them, and erased any curiosity and interest I had.
I suppose I am satisfied with where all the characters ended up; this just still feels incomplete. THIS is a novel that needs an epilogue; we're left wondering if Isabel and Ruth remain free or if they're resold into enslavement and what happens to Curzon and Isabel. There was so much lead-up to a climax that doesn't really happen, and the ending feels rushed. Ultimately, the long delay between books erased any tension between them, and erased any curiosity and interest I had.
December 21, 2016
I've been waiting to read this book for years and I'm finally happy to have finished the series.
by book three, I've realized that I don't care for the large skips of time in-between. I don't like hearing recaps from Isabel and Curzon about the last year's worth of activities (it made their relationship seem slightly unrealistic). but I still very much enjoyed moving with these characters and living through the American revolution.
I cannot wait to read more Anderson when she writes again!
by book three, I've realized that I don't care for the large skips of time in-between. I don't like hearing recaps from Isabel and Curzon about the last year's worth of activities (it made their relationship seem slightly unrealistic). but I still very much enjoyed moving with these characters and living through the American revolution.
I cannot wait to read more Anderson when she writes again!
November 3, 2016
Absolutely 4.5 stars. I loved the "ending" of Isabel and Curzon's story! Amazing historical fiction journey.
February 9, 2022
This is the finale in the trilogy, and it's uplifting and heart-wrenching at the same time. Isabel and Curzon push through the battle lines to find Ruth, Isabel's little sister. They stick to the woods, scouting farms and fields to figure out if they're occupied by friend or foe or just folk willing to look the other way if they reveal themselves. They're about to make the final push into the city where they suspect Ruth was taken when they stumble onto her and the wonderful slave couple who took her in when she was little and raised her.
The only problem: Ruth refuses to acknowledge Isabel, and Isabel, of course, blames herself for not looking harder and sooner for her little sister. But there's no time for the long, careful introduction Ruth needs to get used to Isabel and accept her into her life and heart again. The civil war comes knocking, and they have to flee -- with a friend of Ruth's, Aberdeen, a young man who's sweet on her and also a Royalist sympathizer.
Ruth walks around barefoot, as she is wont to do, and develops a life-threatening infection Isabel must nurse her through. The two women accept each other into their hearts after that, although the change happens slowly.
Curzon's ties to the Continental Army prove advantageous for them, and he rejoins, claiming Isabel as his wife. It ensures her a job, cooking and washing the soldiers' dirty laundry, and rations for her and Ruth.
But it's unclear which side, the Americans or the British, will be best for freed Blacks and runaway slaves like Curzon and Isabel. Aberdeen throws his lot in with the British, and tries to take Ruth with him.
Isabel later makes a gruesome discovery about what the British did to the Blacks who joined their ranks when the tide turns. Curzon, in the meantime, is digging trenches for the cannons to bombard the British and his very life is at stake.
I won't spoil how it ends, a both happy and profoundly sad ending, knowing the characters' faith in America's potential for them and their children is misplaced for close to 250 years afterward.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
The only problem: Ruth refuses to acknowledge Isabel, and Isabel, of course, blames herself for not looking harder and sooner for her little sister. But there's no time for the long, careful introduction Ruth needs to get used to Isabel and accept her into her life and heart again. The civil war comes knocking, and they have to flee -- with a friend of Ruth's, Aberdeen, a young man who's sweet on her and also a Royalist sympathizer.
Ruth walks around barefoot, as she is wont to do, and develops a life-threatening infection Isabel must nurse her through. The two women accept each other into their hearts after that, although the change happens slowly.
Curzon's ties to the Continental Army prove advantageous for them, and he rejoins, claiming Isabel as his wife. It ensures her a job, cooking and washing the soldiers' dirty laundry, and rations for her and Ruth.
But it's unclear which side, the Americans or the British, will be best for freed Blacks and runaway slaves like Curzon and Isabel. Aberdeen throws his lot in with the British, and tries to take Ruth with him.
Isabel later makes a gruesome discovery about what the British did to the Blacks who joined their ranks when the tide turns. Curzon, in the meantime, is digging trenches for the cannons to bombard the British and his very life is at stake.
I won't spoil how it ends, a both happy and profoundly sad ending, knowing the characters' faith in America's potential for them and their children is misplaced for close to 250 years afterward.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
February 28, 2024
♡isabel: sister, friend, sweetheart
♡curzon: all grown up now, fighter
♡ruth: precious child that is no longer a child
Ashes was a great ending to the Seeds of America trilogy. I saw a lot of character growth in Isabel and Curzon, and the ending..♡♡♡
Content:
Racism & slavery (portrayed in a negative light).
War violence.
Reference to past abuse.
Death.
Mild romance.
Occassional language fitting the time period and circumstances.
Ages 14+
♡curzon: all grown up now, fighter
♡ruth: precious child that is no longer a child
Ashes was a great ending to the Seeds of America trilogy. I saw a lot of character growth in Isabel and Curzon, and the ending..♡♡♡
Content:
Racism & slavery (portrayed in a negative light).
War violence.
Reference to past abuse.
Death.
Mild romance.
Occassional language fitting the time period and circumstances.
Ages 14+
September 29, 2019
I didn’t realize this wasn’t the first book until I started reading it. This was so good, I could clearly imagine seeing the story unfold in real time.
March 21, 2024
3.5 stars
April 6, 2017
Once again, the author transports me back in time. I was so happy with the ending. I felt the hope for a better future.
April 27, 2018
I found myself rather confused in this book and I found out it was because this was not the first book. That's why I had to give it 2 out of 5 stars. Though if I had read the first one first I think I would have liked it better.
March 3, 2020
I literally bawled at the end of this book. It was literally that good.
April 22, 2024
This is by far my favorite book in the series. I love the ending!
March 12, 2017
Wonderful conclusion to an amazing series. These are YA books but you almost can't tell nor does it matter. Such great writing and research.
November 23, 2016
This thrilling conclusion to the Seeds of America series has Isabel and Curzon on the run together again. They're still searching for Isabel's sister Ruth. They've battled illness, banditti, Redcoats , gators and snakes and now they're closer than ever. However, the British control Charleston and a sympathetic woman urged Isabel to look at Riverbend first. What Isabel finds there is beyond anything she could have imagined. She struggles to accept the situation and with Curzon's glib tongue and a new friend named Aberdeen, the friends are off on another journey- north to Rhode Island to freedom. The British and Continental troops are on the march, soon to meet in Virginia. The travelers have a choice- keep going north without money or food or follow the army where there will be other self-liberated people and jobs. Isabel and Curzon are still sharply divided over their opinions over which side to support. When the battle is over, freedom will come, but will it come for Isabel, Curzon and their people?
This is an outstanding piece of historical fiction and a wonderful conclusion to the trilogy. At first it seems as if one situation will be resolved very quickly, but I underestimated the power of Laurie Halse Anderson's storytelling. Isabel goes on another type of journey- a journey of discovery and growth. Her character growth is outstanding. I even teared up at one point. I stayed up until almost 2 am to see where this story was headed. It was left a bit open-ended, leaving me to wonder what's next for Isabel and anyone else who survives. If I have a critique, it's that there is way too much about camp life. I've never been interested in military history so I skimmed a lot of the military details and the domestic details. I found the messages a little too heavy handed for my personal taste as an adult, but I think younger readers will like it. The messages are very timely right now.
I liked how the summary of the first book was included in the plot as Isabel relates it to another character. I also really liked learning about her family traditions.
The romance finally progresses. As readers of Forge know, Curzon is in love with Isabel. Her feelings become pretty clear in this novel even though she doesn't acknowledge them. I wondered whether Isabel and Curzon would get together and if they would survive that long.
There are a couple of new characters here. Aberdeen is a slightly less angsty male Isabel. He's a bit hot-headed but knows how to reign it in when he needs to. He believes in freedom and believes in promises one army offers, much like Curzon. Curzon is more idealistic than Aberdeen though. There's also a lovely elderly enslaved couple- Mr. Walter and Miz Serafina. They're funny, sweet, kind and loving. I would be honored to have them as surrogate grandparents. The new female character is a great one. She's a bit sassy, stubborn and also very sweet. I love her relationship with animals, especially the donkey.
I can't recommend this trilogy enough, especially this conclusion. The issue of sexual abuse of slaves isn't glossed over but it's not spelled out graphically either. If the reader is aware enough, they will pick up on it but the characters just say the overseer means harm to one character. There is some battle violence too. I would label this book as more young-adult or for more mature children ages 12+. Adults can read and love this too.
This is an outstanding piece of historical fiction and a wonderful conclusion to the trilogy. At first it seems as if one situation will be resolved very quickly, but I underestimated the power of Laurie Halse Anderson's storytelling. Isabel goes on another type of journey- a journey of discovery and growth. Her character growth is outstanding. I even teared up at one point. I stayed up until almost 2 am to see where this story was headed. It was left a bit open-ended, leaving me to wonder what's next for Isabel and anyone else who survives. If I have a critique, it's that there is way too much about camp life. I've never been interested in military history so I skimmed a lot of the military details and the domestic details. I found the messages a little too heavy handed for my personal taste as an adult, but I think younger readers will like it. The messages are very timely right now.
I liked how the summary of the first book was included in the plot as Isabel relates it to another character. I also really liked learning about her family traditions.
The romance finally progresses. As readers of Forge know, Curzon is in love with Isabel. Her feelings become pretty clear in this novel even though she doesn't acknowledge them. I wondered whether Isabel and Curzon would get together and if they would survive that long.
There are a couple of new characters here. Aberdeen is a slightly less angsty male Isabel. He's a bit hot-headed but knows how to reign it in when he needs to. He believes in freedom and believes in promises one army offers, much like Curzon. Curzon is more idealistic than Aberdeen though. There's also a lovely elderly enslaved couple- Mr. Walter and Miz Serafina. They're funny, sweet, kind and loving. I would be honored to have them as surrogate grandparents. The new female character is a great one. She's a bit sassy, stubborn and also very sweet. I love her relationship with animals, especially the donkey.
I can't recommend this trilogy enough, especially this conclusion. The issue of sexual abuse of slaves isn't glossed over but it's not spelled out graphically either. If the reader is aware enough, they will pick up on it but the characters just say the overseer means harm to one character. There is some battle violence too. I would label this book as more young-adult or for more mature children ages 12+. Adults can read and love this too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 861 reviews