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Tiopa Ki Lakota
Wi Ile Anpo is a girl born to Lakota warrior, Wanbli Zi. But the tribal shaman has a vision that Anpo is wicakte - a two-souled person embodying both male and female spirits. She will become a great warrior and a great asset to her people. During a vision quest, Anpo finds that her life will be intertwined with the lives of a sacred white buffalo and a pale skinned woman with yellow hair, yet both will be wounded by her actions. Kathleen McGlashan Stevens has been captured by renegade Indians, and thrust into a terrifying and foreign culture where she must learn to survive. The sacred white buffalo brings Anpo and Kathleen together. As their relationship develops, Anpo wonders: Can she change her destiny, or is she fated to wound the woman she loves?
276 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
15 people are currently reading
538 people want to read
About the author
D. Jordan Redhawk
17 books97 followersA fan-geek and internet junkie, D. Jordan Redhawk is a passionate writer of lesbian romance, covering multiple genres. She highlights the outsider, revealing that we are not all that different from one another. Her books are published by PD Publishing and Bella Books.
To learn more, visit her bibliography.
To learn more, visit her bibliography.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 23, 2012
As a lesbian and a Lakota woman, when I first heard about the book, I was torn: excited to see a Native lesbian lead and worried because the writer already used the word "shaman" and I knew it was taking place in the 1700s. With that and knowing the author was not Native herself and already making the "shaman" error, I wondered how many more mistakes would be made and if once again, I'd see another disrespectful atrocity committed against my people in a work of fiction.
I was honestly surprised to the depth of research the author did and her honest commitment to try to not offend by leaving out intimate details of our ceremonies, dances, etc. Use of the word, "shaman", was perhaps the author's only fatal flaw, which I tried to overlook for the sake of the story.
My people have holy people and medicine people, no shamans. The use of the word alone is enough to send most Native people (including myself) into a blinding rage.
Aside from that, her only other error seems to be from lack of further knowledge of the Lakota language. Female Lakota all have "Win" at the end of their name, short for "winyan". This is so when they are spoken of, it is understood, that the person is a female.
The story itself was great with enjoyable dialogue and memorable characters. It has become my favorite lesbian romance so far.
I am still hoping for an all Native love story, but for marketability purposes, I can see where I may never see that in any work of fiction whether it's in a novel or on tv. However, to see a Native as the hero and the "dominant" one for lack of a better word was refreshing. I don't think I could have a handled another Dances with Wolves knock off...
I was honestly surprised to the depth of research the author did and her honest commitment to try to not offend by leaving out intimate details of our ceremonies, dances, etc. Use of the word, "shaman", was perhaps the author's only fatal flaw, which I tried to overlook for the sake of the story.
My people have holy people and medicine people, no shamans. The use of the word alone is enough to send most Native people (including myself) into a blinding rage.
Aside from that, her only other error seems to be from lack of further knowledge of the Lakota language. Female Lakota all have "Win" at the end of their name, short for "winyan". This is so when they are spoken of, it is understood, that the person is a female.
The story itself was great with enjoyable dialogue and memorable characters. It has become my favorite lesbian romance so far.
I am still hoping for an all Native love story, but for marketability purposes, I can see where I may never see that in any work of fiction whether it's in a novel or on tv. However, to see a Native as the hero and the "dominant" one for lack of a better word was refreshing. I don't think I could have a handled another Dances with Wolves knock off...
August 27, 2018
This is a beautiful love story between two women who belong to two different worlds. I have loved every part of this book: the characters - main and secondary - the plot, the drama, etc. Everything has been fascinating and captivating. It's been long time since I've enjoyed a book like this.
May 4, 2020
A story about love, acceptance, trust and two different worlds colliding. Situated in the late 1700s Anpo grows up to be an Indian warrior, which is an exception as a female in a Lakota tribe. Anpo has a vision slaying a sacred white bull, which will connect her with a pale woman with yellow hair. However, according to the vision she’s also destined to hurt the pale woman. Kathleen and her family are Irish immigrants in the US and one day Kathleen is kidnapped and abused by Indians. As a slave she meets Anpo and the two end up together. After the endured abuse Kathleen quickly realizes that living with Anpo is a good option and she decides to learn their ways of life and serve Anpo the best way possible. Slowly Kathleen starts trusting and even loving Anpo. Anpo loves Kathleen but is fearful of her vision of hurting Kathleen.
I just could not stop reading this book and finished it in one day. It’s a beautiful story, nicely written with a good pace and I enjoyed learning about the Lakota tribes and their traditions along the way. I could connect with both characters very well and their love for each other (even under the circumstances at the beginning) is very believable. A lot of native words are used, which are explained in the back of the book, so I had to look up all the words during the read, but I think this added something to the authenticity of the story.
I just could not stop reading this book and finished it in one day. It’s a beautiful story, nicely written with a good pace and I enjoyed learning about the Lakota tribes and their traditions along the way. I could connect with both characters very well and their love for each other (even under the circumstances at the beginning) is very believable. A lot of native words are used, which are explained in the back of the book, so I had to look up all the words during the read, but I think this added something to the authenticity of the story.
January 27, 2021
5 Stars - I am on a roll! Loved this one too.
I am a sucker for historical romance. This one is a little different as it takes place among the Lakota in the late 1700s. I really enjoyed learning about Anpo and her way of life. How cool would it be if european culture revered two-spirited people like the first nations people do. While there were a few tough bits to get though (nothing is graphically explained by you know Kathleen has a very rough time with the first Indians that capture her), once our MCs meet its a pretty mellow ride until the angst. Ugh... My heart was breaking for them both, but it all turns out ok in the end.
Highly recommend for fans of slow burn soul mates and historical romance with First Nations history and culture. I will definitively be reading this one again.
I am a sucker for historical romance. This one is a little different as it takes place among the Lakota in the late 1700s. I really enjoyed learning about Anpo and her way of life. How cool would it be if european culture revered two-spirited people like the first nations people do. While there were a few tough bits to get though (nothing is graphically explained by you know Kathleen has a very rough time with the first Indians that capture her), once our MCs meet its a pretty mellow ride until the angst. Ugh... My heart was breaking for them both, but it all turns out ok in the end.
Highly recommend for fans of slow burn soul mates and historical romance with First Nations history and culture. I will definitively be reading this one again.
January 23, 2016
Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. This has just become my favorite historical novel, my favorite historical romance, one of my favorite lesbian romances, and one of my favorite books in general. There are very few novels that I ever reread, but this will be one of them. The attention to detail here is second to none.
The story borrows a number of familiar themes and uses some well-trodden formulas, but they all work together spectacularly to tell a tale that's greater than the sum of its parts. The use of spirit visions to build tension was particularly well done, and I found myself responding to them with the same hope, excitement and fear with which Anpo faced them. The danger hung over the story like an axe poised to fall, and each page that passed without the vision coming true heightened the suspense until I felt certain I was developing stomach ulcers.
The main characters, as well as the supporting characters, are very easy to relate to. Having a Native American as the protagonist was inspired, and I really found myself loving her. This is not because she was so likable as a person, though she was. It's not because she was a woman or a lesbian, though she was both of those. It's because she felt real and spoke with a voice I've never heard before, a voice that was uniquely her own.
Ms. Redhawk's research was constantly evident, but it never felt as though she were trying to prove she'd read reams of historical data. There weren't any of those long, unwieldy chunks of text filled with dates and facts from a Wikipedia page; there were people living, working and interacting as I imagine members of the Lakota tribe really would have, and I was able to visit a time and place I'll never be able to see in real life.
Criticisms are hard to find here. I will say that the frequent use of Lakota words made reading a bit awkward on a Kindle, and I found myself keeping the book open on both my phone and my Kindle in order to have quick access to the glossary on one while reading on the other. Still, that's a very small price to pay. The language did add a layer of immersion that would've been lacking without it. When I return to the book in years to come and find the words familiar, that familiarity will wrap around me like a blanket.
Coming into this book, I'd read several depressing novels in a row and played an unbelievably dark video game (Life is Strange) and, knowing what I do about Manifest Destiny, I was nervous that I was in for yet another traumatic night of crying in a corner. I'm not going to discuss the resolution, but if you share similar concerns, click the spoiler to find out whether or not those concerns are justified.
A final thought here. I do think that being gay helped me get a little bit more out of the story; visiting a culture that valued gay and transgender people because of who they were, rather than despite it, was like dreaming of a better future that happened hundreds of years in the past. Even so, I do not feel that being gay is in any way necessary to find the beauty in this book. That beauty is there for everyone who can feel, and the words sing a song that anyone can understand.
5 stars. Read this book.
The story borrows a number of familiar themes and uses some well-trodden formulas, but they all work together spectacularly to tell a tale that's greater than the sum of its parts. The use of spirit visions to build tension was particularly well done, and I found myself responding to them with the same hope, excitement and fear with which Anpo faced them. The danger hung over the story like an axe poised to fall, and each page that passed without the vision coming true heightened the suspense until I felt certain I was developing stomach ulcers.
The main characters, as well as the supporting characters, are very easy to relate to. Having a Native American as the protagonist was inspired, and I really found myself loving her. This is not because she was so likable as a person, though she was. It's not because she was a woman or a lesbian, though she was both of those. It's because she felt real and spoke with a voice I've never heard before, a voice that was uniquely her own.
Ms. Redhawk's research was constantly evident, but it never felt as though she were trying to prove she'd read reams of historical data. There weren't any of those long, unwieldy chunks of text filled with dates and facts from a Wikipedia page; there were people living, working and interacting as I imagine members of the Lakota tribe really would have, and I was able to visit a time and place I'll never be able to see in real life.
Criticisms are hard to find here. I will say that the frequent use of Lakota words made reading a bit awkward on a Kindle, and I found myself keeping the book open on both my phone and my Kindle in order to have quick access to the glossary on one while reading on the other. Still, that's a very small price to pay. The language did add a layer of immersion that would've been lacking without it. When I return to the book in years to come and find the words familiar, that familiarity will wrap around me like a blanket.
Coming into this book, I'd read several depressing novels in a row and played an unbelievably dark video game (Life is Strange) and, knowing what I do about Manifest Destiny, I was nervous that I was in for yet another traumatic night of crying in a corner. I'm not going to discuss the resolution, but if you share similar concerns, click the spoiler to find out whether or not those concerns are justified.
A final thought here. I do think that being gay helped me get a little bit more out of the story; visiting a culture that valued gay and transgender people because of who they were, rather than despite it, was like dreaming of a better future that happened hundreds of years in the past. Even so, I do not feel that being gay is in any way necessary to find the beauty in this book. That beauty is there for everyone who can feel, and the words sing a song that anyone can understand.
5 stars. Read this book.
December 17, 2023
Is it possible to give a book 10 stars?
The story of Anpo and Kathleen has been a favorite of mine for over 12 years. I’ve read it over 50 times. It’s my comfort read and makes me happy.
The story is beautiful and very well written. I have to fight tears often throughout the book. I enjoyed learning some of the terms of the Lakota people. I love watching the story unfold and the love of these two amazing women develop and take hold. It’s destiny and vision come to life. I love the faith of the spirits the Lakota believe in. The ending is so sweet, beautiful, and absolutely perfect. In my mind they will leave forever as happy and as in love as those last few chapters depicted. I wish Bella would put the book in print again. I could use another copy my current one is well loved.
My synopsis of the book full of spoilers.
Wi Ile Anpo she was born a girl but with the spirit of igmu. The Shaman had a vision upon her birth that she would be a warrior and fallow her ate on his path. Basically she was born as a two spirited person. She grows and trains as a warrior. When she is around 12 winters, she has her first bleeding. Fallowing the path of a young woman she seeks a vision, but it doesn’t come. Deciding she fallows the path of a warrior she will seek a vision as a young man would. She is rewarded with a vision of herself slaying the white buffalo. With the glare of the sun the buffalo disappears and a women appears injured and calling Anpo ‘Mahasanni’.
Kathleen comes to America with her parents and younger brother. She marries and a few years later her husband is killed and she is taken by some Indians. She is scared, and has been brutalized and raped by her captors before ending up in the hands of another tribe and family.
When the two tribes meet and hunt together Anpo’s vision starts to come true. She slays the white tatanka and Kathleen becomes her woman. She worries over hurting her as is shown in the vision.
Because of her rapes, Kathleen gifts Anpo with a son, Teca. The family is young and happy, but a family friend ask for aid, that only Kathleen can give, in trading with the white man.
As they travel with a different tribe Anpo’s vision change but she can not seek council while away from her family. Then Teca gets sick and Kathleen becomes hysterical demanding he cannot dye without meeting her family. Anpo promises to take them once Teca is well again. They travel to Kathleens family where horrible misunderstanding occur. Kathleen doesn’t know how to tell her parents and brother who and what Anpo is to her. Kath’s family already have a distrust of Indians, and believe Anpo has brought her home to them. They don’t treat Anpo well and leave her to sleep in the barn. Feeling that Kathleen is happy there and ashamed of their joining and her Anpo leaves her. She returns to her people and her family a ghost of who she once was and Kathleen is devastated with her sudden departure.
After two yearsStewart, Kath’s brother, helps Kathleen and Teca find Anpo and her family. The two work out what happened and Anpo decides to woo Kath like a proper Lakota maiden.
I can not say it enough of full describe my love of this book.
The story of Anpo and Kathleen has been a favorite of mine for over 12 years. I’ve read it over 50 times. It’s my comfort read and makes me happy.
The story is beautiful and very well written. I have to fight tears often throughout the book. I enjoyed learning some of the terms of the Lakota people. I love watching the story unfold and the love of these two amazing women develop and take hold. It’s destiny and vision come to life. I love the faith of the spirits the Lakota believe in. The ending is so sweet, beautiful, and absolutely perfect. In my mind they will leave forever as happy and as in love as those last few chapters depicted. I wish Bella would put the book in print again. I could use another copy my current one is well loved.
My synopsis of the book full of spoilers.
Wi Ile Anpo she was born a girl but with the spirit of igmu. The Shaman had a vision upon her birth that she would be a warrior and fallow her ate on his path. Basically she was born as a two spirited person. She grows and trains as a warrior. When she is around 12 winters, she has her first bleeding. Fallowing the path of a young woman she seeks a vision, but it doesn’t come. Deciding she fallows the path of a warrior she will seek a vision as a young man would. She is rewarded with a vision of herself slaying the white buffalo. With the glare of the sun the buffalo disappears and a women appears injured and calling Anpo ‘Mahasanni’.
Kathleen comes to America with her parents and younger brother. She marries and a few years later her husband is killed and she is taken by some Indians. She is scared, and has been brutalized and raped by her captors before ending up in the hands of another tribe and family.
When the two tribes meet and hunt together Anpo’s vision starts to come true. She slays the white tatanka and Kathleen becomes her woman. She worries over hurting her as is shown in the vision.
Because of her rapes, Kathleen gifts Anpo with a son, Teca. The family is young and happy, but a family friend ask for aid, that only Kathleen can give, in trading with the white man.
As they travel with a different tribe Anpo’s vision change but she can not seek council while away from her family. Then Teca gets sick and Kathleen becomes hysterical demanding he cannot dye without meeting her family. Anpo promises to take them once Teca is well again. They travel to Kathleens family where horrible misunderstanding occur. Kathleen doesn’t know how to tell her parents and brother who and what Anpo is to her. Kath’s family already have a distrust of Indians, and believe Anpo has brought her home to them. They don’t treat Anpo well and leave her to sleep in the barn. Feeling that Kathleen is happy there and ashamed of their joining and her Anpo leaves her. She returns to her people and her family a ghost of who she once was and Kathleen is devastated with her sudden departure.
After two yearsStewart, Kath’s brother, helps Kathleen and Teca find Anpo and her family. The two work out what happened and Anpo decides to woo Kath like a proper Lakota maiden.
I can not say it enough of full describe my love of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2018
This was sooo good! I loved reading this. Literally could not stop. So interesting reading about the Lakota Native Americans. Reading about their reverence for two spirited people.
I will warn you though-i cried....hard. I don't usually enjoy that too much. This was an exception!!
I will warn you though-i cried....hard. I don't usually enjoy that too much. This was an exception!!
September 15, 2025
3.75⭐
I was so excited to dive into Tiopa Ki Lakota because it focuses on Native Americans—specifically the Lakota Tribe—and that’s not something we see a lot in romance. I can’t say for sure how historically accurate it is about the Lakota, but wow, the story hooked me right away. Besides the love story, I loved how the author actually gave each main character space to grow before they even meet. We get to watch them from childhood to adulthood, which made their journeys feel richer and more real.
First we meet Anpo, a Lakota warrior considered a wicakte—a two-souled person with both feminine and masculine qualities. I found that part fascinating. Even though Anpo’s biology sometimes made others see her as a girl, she mostly lived among the male hunters, following their traditions and carving out her own destiny on her own terms.
Then there’s Kathleen, whose life is basically run by her parents. She’s married off super young, and later she’s captured by renegade Indians and goes through a really painful journey—mistreated and abused—until Anpo steps in. I admired Kathleen’s resilience so much. Even after everything, with permanent scars on her heart and body, she keeps her head high. She doesn’t speak the language, she doesn’t know the customs, but she adapts, stays open-minded, and genuinely wants to learn instead of mocking their ways. That was such a refreshing trait to read.
Now, while I really liked both characters, some parts of their love story didn’t fully work for me. Different cultures and backgrounds obviously mean communication struggles, but sometimes it just got frustrating Ugh! That part left me wanting more.
Despite that, for the most part it’s a sweet romance, and I loved that in the end they still manage to build a family together. If you enjoy slow-burn historical romances with unique cultural settings, resilient heroines, and an emotional journey, Tiopa Ki Lakota is definitely worth picking up.
I was so excited to dive into Tiopa Ki Lakota because it focuses on Native Americans—specifically the Lakota Tribe—and that’s not something we see a lot in romance. I can’t say for sure how historically accurate it is about the Lakota, but wow, the story hooked me right away. Besides the love story, I loved how the author actually gave each main character space to grow before they even meet. We get to watch them from childhood to adulthood, which made their journeys feel richer and more real.
First we meet Anpo, a Lakota warrior considered a wicakte—a two-souled person with both feminine and masculine qualities. I found that part fascinating. Even though Anpo’s biology sometimes made others see her as a girl, she mostly lived among the male hunters, following their traditions and carving out her own destiny on her own terms.
Then there’s Kathleen, whose life is basically run by her parents. She’s married off super young, and later she’s captured by renegade Indians and goes through a really painful journey—mistreated and abused—until Anpo steps in. I admired Kathleen’s resilience so much. Even after everything, with permanent scars on her heart and body, she keeps her head high. She doesn’t speak the language, she doesn’t know the customs, but she adapts, stays open-minded, and genuinely wants to learn instead of mocking their ways. That was such a refreshing trait to read.
Now, while I really liked both characters, some parts of their love story didn’t fully work for me. Different cultures and backgrounds obviously mean communication struggles, but sometimes it just got frustrating Ugh! That part left me wanting more.
Despite that, for the most part it’s a sweet romance, and I loved that in the end they still manage to build a family together. If you enjoy slow-burn historical romances with unique cultural settings, resilient heroines, and an emotional journey, Tiopa Ki Lakota is definitely worth picking up.
November 6, 2018
I almost didn't buy this book because I thought I had read it before but am I glad I didn't make that mistake. I would have deprived myself of such beautiful story of love and culture. I have a number of books by the author and truly enjoy them. This was no exception. A very soul encouraging read.
November 13, 2017
One of my favorite lesfic books
January 20, 2017
Wow. I would strongly recommend not starting this book until you have several hours of free time on your hands. It is an understatement to say it is a page turner. This story is gripping and the reader is quickly and emotionally pulled into the lives of these characters. When a novel can make one feel love and loss so acutely, it is truly a work of art.
July 10, 2016
Kinda slow moving, not the most intriguing plot, and I kept getting distracted by all the POV switches. But I loved the characters.
January 22, 2020
It's so hard to finish reading a book because you're crying, LOL, but I did! What an absolutely wonderful book, I loved it from the very first and never lost interest. I read each page with happiness, anticipation, fear and hope. It's a beautiful love story and seems to be very historically accurate. I think it really gives you a look at life of Native Americans.
September 10, 2012
Good, very good indeed.
The author has demonstrated an impressive ability to present an authentic environment for a classic love story. The story has a quality about it that feels mythical in it's portrayal of the Native Americans - demonstrating their honour and wisdom at every turn.
How much of this is a fantasy, I'm not sure - apologies I know very little about Native American culture although I feel that might be about to change - I have a vague memory of a film with Dustin Hoffman, where as a member of a Native American tribe there was a character that, while male, lived as a woman and this was totally accepted. Would it be possible (if unlikely) for a woman to be born and identified as "male" from birth?
Whatever the historical realty, this is a well craft and compelling novel that I enjoyed thoroughly.
I am looking forward to reading more of her back catalogue.
Mags
The author has demonstrated an impressive ability to present an authentic environment for a classic love story. The story has a quality about it that feels mythical in it's portrayal of the Native Americans - demonstrating their honour and wisdom at every turn.
How much of this is a fantasy, I'm not sure - apologies I know very little about Native American culture although I feel that might be about to change - I have a vague memory of a film with Dustin Hoffman, where as a member of a Native American tribe there was a character that, while male, lived as a woman and this was totally accepted. Would it be possible (if unlikely) for a woman to be born and identified as "male" from birth?
Whatever the historical realty, this is a well craft and compelling novel that I enjoyed thoroughly.
I am looking forward to reading more of her back catalogue.
Mags
January 22, 2009
Amazing story! Could not put this book down. Redhawk did a wonderful job of making the reader get lost into the world of the Lakota. I greatly enjoyed learning of the Lakota culture and about wicakte, the two-souled person. The love story of Anpo and Kathleen, two people destined to be together, was just WOW! This book is among my Top 5
June 9, 2025
One of my absolute favorite books. It's not technically perfect - writing wise there are plenty of POV issues and a few typos - but I love the story SO MUCH. So, so much.
July 21, 2019
I cannot get over how much I enjoyed this book. I've had to slow down when when I was 3/4 through because I did not want it to end. I've been a sucker for historical fic lately, and this shot up to the top of the favourites list.
February 12, 2008
I was given a copy of this book by the author and I loved it. It has a place of honor on my book shelf, not just because I know the person whose mind crafted the tale, but because the book is a compelling read, a pretty little microcosm that teases the senses and leaves you haunted with little fantasies of what happens next...
I'd like to see more of this author's work on my local bookshelves. Having read other works that are sadly out of print, I would love to be able to indulge myself in the luxury of a pen-and-ink volume, instead of browsing the net for a quick fix.
I'd like to see more of this author's work on my local bookshelves. Having read other works that are sadly out of print, I would love to be able to indulge myself in the luxury of a pen-and-ink volume, instead of browsing the net for a quick fix.
September 24, 2013
A great love story set around the time of the American Revolution, of a white women captured by Indians and given into slavery to a warrior who had seen her in a vision quest. It follows their life from before they meet until the vision is full filled with all the twist and turns of trying to make what you see become what you want. A very good explanation of how the Indians lived and believed and the love they came to share. Very well written with the correct amount of emotion to keep you reading but still be believable. Well worth the read!
February 14, 2008
This book is really incredible, probably Redhawk's best piece of work. The characters have depth and a real sense of the time. The Lakota are portrayed as realistic as possible and the story is a fast, entertaining read. The end of the book begs for a part two, but we know there are no happy endings for this noble tribe. Damned good literature.
January 21, 2013
This book was difficult to put down. The Lakota world seems true to the times and pulls you in. It shows community building and beliefs and ceremony that bind the tribe. The characters grab you and make you want to know what happens next. It also contains a wonderful love story that builds slowly and ends happily. I highly recommend it.
October 13, 2013
Beautiful story about the spiritual bond and love between two women of different cultures. Having to often flip to the back glossary to translate Lakota words was a bit of a distraction for me from getting into the story.
September 15, 2017
Amazing.
Great story. I didn't want to put the book down. I would love to read a series on the main characters. I was easily consumed by the story and struggles the characters faced. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique and exciting love story.
Great story. I didn't want to put the book down. I would love to read a series on the main characters. I was easily consumed by the story and struggles the characters faced. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique and exciting love story.
December 8, 2007
Indians are smarter than the rest of us.
October 9, 2010
This is one of my all time Favorite Novels by a Bard who is accomplished in all areas of a story...I Highly Recommend This Novel.
April 8, 2012
the story line was a bit of a cliche but i enjoyed it =)
February 22, 2015
Read a bit but couldn't really get into it, so I'm giving it up - just too low on internal conflict, characters not very fleshed out or compelling.
March 5, 2016
very enjoyable read
September 15, 2019
5*** One of my favorites. I could read this one more than once. I loved it!
June 1, 2020
As I've mentioned elsewhere, quarantine has me reading queer romance novels (that I've mainly acquired over the years from Bella Books, whose website I highly recommend) and this one was a true delight. The romance was slow building. The setting was beautifully atmospheric. The story includes children, which was both super cute and, in general, something I enjoy. The focus is a culture that is often at best completely ignored and at worst demonized in period pieces featuring the revolutionary war/early US/colonization/westward expansion. It discusses gender in a non-binary framework. It was captivating and less predictable than most but still predictable enough to be comforting in the way romance stories are. I highly recommend it.
It does fall into that sometimes-annoying trap of "all this angst could have been avoided if you'd just communicated clearly" BUT because the focus is on a cross-cultural relationship that begins with a significant language barrier that bothered me A LOT less than it often does and, let's be real, it's a staple of the genre so I don't mind it as much in romance novels as I do in other contexts. Frankly, given the themes of cultural change/exchange and being a newcomer to your partner's culture (for one of the main characters moreso than the other, because the focus and setting remains primarily on Lakota culture--something I definitely appreciated) it might have been more odd if there wasn't at least an element of miscommunication.
I will warn you that while everything works out, it does end on a bit of an ambiguous downer, but given that it's about an indigenous community in the 18th century I'm not sure that could've been avoided without tossing the 'historical' part of historical fiction out the window. If you're looking for total and complete wrap-me-in-a-warm-blanket fluff, maybe save this for another day because it does have its share of stressful moments, including in the final wrap-up.
A more serious content warning would be for somewhat-but-not-especially graphic discussions of rape and broad consent issues as . I think on the whole these are handled clearly, delicately and well by the author, but your mileage may vary re: how comfortable or uncomfortable you are with the storyline.
It does fall into that sometimes-annoying trap of "all this angst could have been avoided if you'd just communicated clearly" BUT because the focus is on a cross-cultural relationship that begins with a significant language barrier that bothered me A LOT less than it often does and, let's be real, it's a staple of the genre so I don't mind it as much in romance novels as I do in other contexts. Frankly, given the themes of cultural change/exchange and being a newcomer to your partner's culture (for one of the main characters moreso than the other, because the focus and setting remains primarily on Lakota culture--something I definitely appreciated) it might have been more odd if there wasn't at least an element of miscommunication.
I will warn you that while everything works out, it does end on a bit of an ambiguous downer, but given that it's about an indigenous community in the 18th century I'm not sure that could've been avoided without tossing the 'historical' part of historical fiction out the window. If you're looking for total and complete wrap-me-in-a-warm-blanket fluff, maybe save this for another day because it does have its share of stressful moments, including in the final wrap-up.
A more serious content warning would be for somewhat-but-not-especially graphic discussions of rape and broad consent issues as . I think on the whole these are handled clearly, delicately and well by the author, but your mileage may vary re: how comfortable or uncomfortable you are with the storyline.
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