Dawn's Early Light
Dawn's Early Light is book three is Laurie Lewis' Free Men and Dreamer's series. It is set during the War of 1812 and is a historical fiction novel. I have not read the prior two books in the series, but I understood what was going on and the list of characters in the beginning was helpful to understand who was who. This book makes a fine stand alone, but now that I have read it, I want to read the other two books.
A brief bit about the book:
Dawn's Early Light focuses primarly on a "family" who live in Maryland on a plantation called The Willows. I say "family" because although there is a married couple who live there, there are also many others who are family to them but are not blood related. The entire story revolves around this couple and their "family" at The Willows. Jed Pearson is the owner of the plantation and is a lieutenant in the Maryland militia. Hannah Pearson is Jed's bride and was once engaged to Jed's rival. Frannie Pearson is Jed's sister and then there are numerous former slaves whom Jed has freed who are a part of the family on the plantation. The book focuses on Jed and Hannah and also Frannie and her romantic interests.
All in all I really enjoyed this book. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to follow the story having not read the prior two books, but that wasn't a problem. The history in this novel was great and really gives you a sense of what people went through during this war. Laurie Lewis does a great job of showing the attitudes and prejudices of that time period. She beautifully weaves a story of love and friendship that goes beyond blood relations. I was easily swept up into their world and could feel their pain and heartbreak and also their joy.
I recommend that you take a journey back through time into the lives of Jed and Hannah Pearson and all of their family at The Willows. You too will be crying with them and hoping with them. Congratulations Laurie on a job well done!
I received this book as an ARC and was asked to review it.
A brief bit about the book:
Dawn's Early Light focuses primarly on a "family" who live in Maryland on a plantation called The Willows. I say "family" because although there is a married couple who live there, there are also many others who are family to them but are not blood related. The entire story revolves around this couple and their "family" at The Willows. Jed Pearson is the owner of the plantation and is a lieutenant in the Maryland militia. Hannah Pearson is Jed's bride and was once engaged to Jed's rival. Frannie Pearson is Jed's sister and then there are numerous former slaves whom Jed has freed who are a part of the family on the plantation. The book focuses on Jed and Hannah and also Frannie and her romantic interests.
All in all I really enjoyed this book. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to follow the story having not read the prior two books, but that wasn't a problem. The history in this novel was great and really gives you a sense of what people went through during this war. Laurie Lewis does a great job of showing the attitudes and prejudices of that time period. She beautifully weaves a story of love and friendship that goes beyond blood relations. I was easily swept up into their world and could feel their pain and heartbreak and also their joy.
I recommend that you take a journey back through time into the lives of Jed and Hannah Pearson and all of their family at The Willows. You too will be crying with them and hoping with them. Congratulations Laurie on a job well done!
I received this book as an ARC and was asked to review it.
This book sounds really good! Thanks for the review Crystal. Sounds like a definite read.
ReplyDeleteI think I will have to pick this book up it sounds good. Thanks for your take on it!
ReplyDeleteI will have to look up the series and see if I can get them all. I am really big on reading them in order! They sound really good, thanks!
ReplyDeleteNice review, Crystal. I'm looking forward to reading and reviewing it myself.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reviewing "Dawn's Early Light," Crystal, and for the endorsing the book! I appreciate the support!
ReplyDelete