Drum Dance

Arctic Series #3

by Bonnie Turner

A young-adult historical novel set in Canada’s central Arctic in the late 1930s.

Seventeen-year-old David Jansson moves to an isolated fur-trading post at Gjoa Haven to live with his estranged father, Per Jansson, manager for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Expecting a loving reunion when he arrives on the harsh, sunless island in late February, David instead finds an alcoholic father with a flash temper. David's struggle to stay sane amid conflict over a half-blood Inuit girl, a shaman who sees the youth's potential for shamanism, plus David's chilling psychic abilities, lead him to risk his life by underestimating the weather ... and his own heart ... in the same area where Sir John Franklin and his crew froze to death searching for the Northwest Passage. (Teens/Adults)

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Ebooks

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 2010

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

After David Jansson’s mother died, he spent his time with his aunt and uncle at Peace River in Alberta – but when his father sent for him, he decided to join him if only to get to know him again. David hadn’t seen his father in five years. Per Jansson was manager for the Hudson’s Bay Company at the small, isolated trading post of Gjoa Haven in the Arctic in Canada. Seventeen when he travelled, David’s journey in the small plane with Mac was a terrifying one; he wondered what on earth had possessed him to do this.

But when David arrived, it was to find his father was not the man he remembered. Abusive and a drunk – his moods would swing from affectionate and helpful, to abusive and violent in a matter of moments. David regretted his decision and hated the intense and relentless cold; he decided though to make the best of his promise to remain for two years. The beauty of the young Inuit women, especially Nipesha frustrated him, especially as his father had told him to stay away from them. And he was also to have nothing to do with the local shaman Naigo – which proved to be nigh on impossible. But he did find some fascination with the Eskimo tradition of celebrating the arrival of the sun - the shaman would beat the drum in the fabled drum dance, while telling stories to his people.

But could David continue with the intolerable situation? The Arctic seldom gave any person a second chance…

Young Adult novel Drum Dance by Bonnie Turner has an intriguing plot; not at all like anything I’ve read before. Though this is book 3 in the series, and I haven't read the previous two, I thoroughly enjoyed the story of David’s growth from boyhood, and felt for him during his struggles. I have no hesitation in recommending Drum Dance to fans of the genre.

[Red Haircrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Drum Dance” begins with a believable premise many people might identify with: the attempt to get know a parent again after being separated for some time. As young David is flown to the icy trading post which his father manages, the battle through the elements was particularly outstanding. Not trying to stereotype all seventeen year olds, but I found some of the thought processes, reasoning and observations suggesting experiences were somewhat beyond the main character’s years, and more representative of a matured man in his thirties. I realize, however, this is taking into consideration the time period as well as David’s expressed Christian upbringing. Perhaps this was an unspoken element dating the setting, for many young people then had responsibilities beyond some of the social media, fashion and/or entertainment obsessed adolescents of today, so very self-centred in concerns.

To read the full review with author's notes, please visit my review/interview website Flying With Red Haircrow.

[Lara McKusky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed Drum Dance. It was a good coming of age story and a great father/son story. I think the author did a great job describing the terrain, the weather conditions and the Eskimos and their ways; I felt like I was really there! Characters were pretty well mapped out; you felt you knew how they would react with the turning of the story--and there were some good twists and turns!
The only reason this does not get 5 stars is because I think the tension could have been tweaked and ratcheted up a bit. I think the scenes where father and son are fighting could have used a bit more detail to really get me, as the reader, feeling exactly what they were feeling. I guess I felt a little like I was watching some of the story through a window: a little blurry, sound muted a bit. I wanted to be in the room! :)
But again, overall a good book. I liked the lead character, David, enough to want to know what happened to him! Good work Bonnie!! :)

[Mae Clair · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read with lush descriptions. The author clearly knows her material and effortlessly transports the reader to the bitter cold of a trading post in the arctic where a painful family reunion ensues between the book’s seventeen-year-old central character and his father.

This is basically a character and culture study, and as such it excels. The pacing, however, is laborious and it takes quite a while for the plot to advance. I felt at some points the story stalled and much of the reading was repetitious in nature. The final quarter of the book picks up a good deal and the pacing advances rapidly.

Not quite what I expected, but an interesting read for those who like a book with in-depth character study.

[N. Kuhn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though the story line seemed interesting, the story was actually boring. It was long and drawn out. I would have loved to see more history, more facts about the area in this book. The unlying sexual tension wasn't very well plotted. The abuse from the father did make for some interesting reading, but for the most part, this book made me bored. There was no major drama that kept you reading. There was nothing to hold the reader. It was just average and dull.

[Loretta Giacoletto · Rating 5 out of 5]

DRUM DANCE -- a must-read for mature teenagers and adults who appreciate quality writing combined with a 1930s plot that stands up well in today’s society. Bonnie Turner transports her readers to a part of the world most of us will never experience first-hand, in particular the Inuit Indian culture and hardships of living in the Arctic region of Canada.

[Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this novel, being that I am not that much into YA. However, I was surprised with the prose and skill that this author so gleefully attack our senses with. I really connected with the characters and enjoyed the story from beginning to end therefore I recommend this as a buy.

[Ralph McEwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Eskimos were interesting. The whites were clueless. The land was brutal. The story is easy to read.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about reading a young adult book but I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. It held my interest and I would recommend it to high school students.

[Griselle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very predictable and slow moving.