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Burning Sky
Abducted by Mohawk Indians at fourteen and renamed Burning Sky, Willa Obenchain is driven to return to her family’s New York frontier homestead after many years building a life with the People. At the boundary of her father’s property, Willa discovers a wounded Scotsman lying in her path. Feeling obliged to nurse his injuries, the two quickly find much has changed during her twelve-year absence—her childhood home is in disrepair, her missing parents are rumored to be Tories, and the young Richard Waring she once admired is now grown into a man twisted by the horrors of war and claiming ownership of the Obenchain land.
When her Mohawk brother arrives and questions her place in the white world, the cultural divide blurs Willa’s vision. Can she follow Tames-His-Horse back to the People now that she is no longer Burning Sky? And what about Neil MacGregor, the kind and loyal botanist who does not fit into in her plan for a solitary life, yet is now helping her revive her farm? In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, strong feelings against “savages” abound in the nearby village of Shiloh, leaving Willa’s safety unsure.
Willa is a woman caught between two worlds. As tensions rise, challenging her shielded heart, the woman called Burning Sky must find a new courage--the courage to again risk embracing the blessings the Almighty wants to bestow. Is she brave enough to love again?
When her Mohawk brother arrives and questions her place in the white world, the cultural divide blurs Willa’s vision. Can she follow Tames-His-Horse back to the People now that she is no longer Burning Sky? And what about Neil MacGregor, the kind and loyal botanist who does not fit into in her plan for a solitary life, yet is now helping her revive her farm? In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, strong feelings against “savages” abound in the nearby village of Shiloh, leaving Willa’s safety unsure.
Willa is a woman caught between two worlds. As tensions rise, challenging her shielded heart, the woman called Burning Sky must find a new courage--the courage to again risk embracing the blessings the Almighty wants to bestow. Is she brave enough to love again?
416 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2013
127 people are currently reading
2499 people want to read
About the author
Lori Benton
18 books985 followersLori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God's transforming grace.
When she isn’t writing, reading, or researching 18th century history, Lori enjoys exploring the mountains with her husband.
Burning Sky, Lori's debut novel, was a finalist for the ECPA 2014 Christian Book Award, and winner of the 2014 Christy Award for First Novel, Historical, and Book of the Year.
When she isn’t writing, reading, or researching 18th century history, Lori enjoys exploring the mountains with her husband.
Burning Sky, Lori's debut novel, was a finalist for the ECPA 2014 Christian Book Award, and winner of the 2014 Christy Award for First Novel, Historical, and Book of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews
August 20, 2020
Hi Readers!
I thought I'd share here about one of the characters in Burning Sky who is near and dear to me for many reasons.
In an interview I did when Burning Sky released in 2013 I was asked, "Did your own battle and survivorship with cancer influence your novel?"
A: Very much so. One of the themes in Burning Sky is redefining oneself after a significant loss. Many of the characters in the story are on that journey but one of them, Neil MacGregor—the Scottish botanist and physician aided by Willa Obenchain—has a journey that in some respects mirrors my own.
I created Neil MacGregor years ago as the hero of a story different in genre and setting from the one he now inhabits. While the losses Neil suffered in that early manuscript are similar to what they are now—due to a debilitating injury—the way in which he dealt with them was vastly different.
In 1999, halfway through writing that story, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. Months of chemotherapy and radiation eradicated the cancer, and the side effects I experienced were relatively mild, except for one. It’s called chemo fog, and I was blind-sided by it. Anything resembling concentration was beyond me; my memory for things like plot threads and character arcs was almost nonexistent; I couldn’t retain anything I read by way of research.
After a year or two of frustrated attempts, I reached the dispiriting conclusion that I was no longer able to write the type of novels I’d been creating before my diagnosis. A vital part of my identity was lost. For all I knew, lost forever.
But God was doing a work in me, a long-term work of submission and trust, of giving my heart’s desire to write completely into His hands. For long stretches I ceased even to try to write. But the desire to write never died. I continued to pray, and wait.
It would be nearly five years before the fog lifted enough for me to feel ready to tackle the mountain climb that is novel-writing. Waiting for me at the base of the trail was the character of Neil MacGregor. I knew I had to find him a story to inhabit.
Eventually I set him down on the New York frontier, and discovered that somewhere in that mysterious alchemy of story-weaving--and in light of my own journey--that Neil had grown in the face of his losses in the same way I had. God hadn’t taken away his heart’s desire to be a botanist, even as He didn’t take away my passion to write when the ability to do so was absent. This new incarnation of Neil MacGregor is acutely aware of the challenges that stand between him and his goals, yet he possesses a faith that’s been refined through loss and a subsequent submission to God’s will.
On a personal note, I've been cancer free going on 16 years now, and beyond thankful to be writing again and for the opportunity to share my stories with you.
I thought I'd share here about one of the characters in Burning Sky who is near and dear to me for many reasons.
In an interview I did when Burning Sky released in 2013 I was asked, "Did your own battle and survivorship with cancer influence your novel?"
A: Very much so. One of the themes in Burning Sky is redefining oneself after a significant loss. Many of the characters in the story are on that journey but one of them, Neil MacGregor—the Scottish botanist and physician aided by Willa Obenchain—has a journey that in some respects mirrors my own.
I created Neil MacGregor years ago as the hero of a story different in genre and setting from the one he now inhabits. While the losses Neil suffered in that early manuscript are similar to what they are now—due to a debilitating injury—the way in which he dealt with them was vastly different.
In 1999, halfway through writing that story, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. Months of chemotherapy and radiation eradicated the cancer, and the side effects I experienced were relatively mild, except for one. It’s called chemo fog, and I was blind-sided by it. Anything resembling concentration was beyond me; my memory for things like plot threads and character arcs was almost nonexistent; I couldn’t retain anything I read by way of research.
After a year or two of frustrated attempts, I reached the dispiriting conclusion that I was no longer able to write the type of novels I’d been creating before my diagnosis. A vital part of my identity was lost. For all I knew, lost forever.
But God was doing a work in me, a long-term work of submission and trust, of giving my heart’s desire to write completely into His hands. For long stretches I ceased even to try to write. But the desire to write never died. I continued to pray, and wait.
It would be nearly five years before the fog lifted enough for me to feel ready to tackle the mountain climb that is novel-writing. Waiting for me at the base of the trail was the character of Neil MacGregor. I knew I had to find him a story to inhabit.
Eventually I set him down on the New York frontier, and discovered that somewhere in that mysterious alchemy of story-weaving--and in light of my own journey--that Neil had grown in the face of his losses in the same way I had. God hadn’t taken away his heart’s desire to be a botanist, even as He didn’t take away my passion to write when the ability to do so was absent. This new incarnation of Neil MacGregor is acutely aware of the challenges that stand between him and his goals, yet he possesses a faith that’s been refined through loss and a subsequent submission to God’s will.
On a personal note, I've been cancer free going on 16 years now, and beyond thankful to be writing again and for the opportunity to share my stories with you.
August 1, 2017
Okay. New favourite author on my radar!!
This book was GOOD. Really, really good. The writing was gorgeous, lyrical, beautiful, ah-mazing. The setting, the characters, everything. Good, good, ALL SO GOOD.
I took myself off to a nearby park, found a secluded spot in the forest and just read, pretending to be in 18th century America, expecting to see an Indian or a British soldier, smelling campfire, and listening to the bird songs. It was, to say the least, really good escapism.
Lori Benton crafted a truly wonderful portrayal of frontier life, in a setting that was as fascinating to discover as it was exciting to read about. It was rich, detailed, entrancing. I really loved it. The blend of fiction, romance, and slight intrigue was superbly well balanced, and if not for a few things, I would have rated this an unhesitant five stars.
My main drawback, however, is that this book really has two heroes but naturally only one can win the girl. And the other...
And Willa was a really great heroine for the most part, but her stubbornness and fear did grate on my nerves just a leeeeettle bit. I really do not have much patience for pigheaded heroines, I'm discovering.
But seriously, aside from that (and the fact that the book was a tad slow), it was wonderful. WONDER-FUL my friends, and you should all read it. This was my first Lori Benton book, but it definitely won't be my last, I cannot WAIT to get my hands on another novel by her!!
This book was GOOD. Really, really good. The writing was gorgeous, lyrical, beautiful, ah-mazing. The setting, the characters, everything. Good, good, ALL SO GOOD.
I took myself off to a nearby park, found a secluded spot in the forest and just read, pretending to be in 18th century America, expecting to see an Indian or a British soldier, smelling campfire, and listening to the bird songs. It was, to say the least, really good escapism.
Lori Benton crafted a truly wonderful portrayal of frontier life, in a setting that was as fascinating to discover as it was exciting to read about. It was rich, detailed, entrancing. I really loved it. The blend of fiction, romance, and slight intrigue was superbly well balanced, and if not for a few things, I would have rated this an unhesitant five stars.
My main drawback, however, is that this book really has two heroes but naturally only one can win the girl. And the other...
And Willa was a really great heroine for the most part, but her stubbornness and fear did grate on my nerves just a leeeeettle bit. I really do not have much patience for pigheaded heroines, I'm discovering.
But seriously, aside from that (and the fact that the book was a tad slow), it was wonderful. WONDER-FUL my friends, and you should all read it. This was my first Lori Benton book, but it definitely won't be my last, I cannot WAIT to get my hands on another novel by her!!
August 22, 2020
5 STARS
I had a hard time putting this one down. I won't recant what the story was about, you can read that in the blurb. This was my first book by Lori Benton, and I was quite impressed with her writing. I look forward to reading her other books. I listened to the audio version of this book, and must recognize the reader, Saskia Maarleveld who did an exceptional job with the narration. Loved it. Highly recommend.
I am the place where two rivers meet, silted with upheaval and loss.
I had a hard time putting this one down. I won't recant what the story was about, you can read that in the blurb. This was my first book by Lori Benton, and I was quite impressed with her writing. I look forward to reading her other books. I listened to the audio version of this book, and must recognize the reader, Saskia Maarleveld who did an exceptional job with the narration. Loved it. Highly recommend.
September 9, 2020
The writing in this book was STUNNING and the story held me in its grasp the entire time. Loved it!
March 29, 2017
This book was sooo GOOD!!!
April 28, 2020
The start of this story was slow getting to connect with the characters and being pulled into the story. But as the story developed my need to see how it ends and with who Willa will end up.
Willa's struggles with coming back after being kidnapped and raised by Mohawk Indians felt realistic and her journey of taking a risks on love again felt real and I loved how the children broke down her barriers. However, it was the two male leads who stole my heart. Both Joseph (Tames-His-Horse) and Neil were strong Godly men who both s\sought the will of God in everything they do.
The author did a great job with building up the suspense throughout the story and ending the story with a very suspenseful climax. There was also one chapter which ended in such a way that I was like...no what happened, I need to know what happened.
The story was also rich with Biblical references/scriptures and I loved Neil "donkey' experience.
But what the author did best was giving us two great male leads to love and I had a inner battle over who I wanted to end up with Willa.
For a debut this was a strong book. My favourite remains
by this author.
Willa's struggles with coming back after being kidnapped and raised by Mohawk Indians felt realistic and her journey of taking a risks on love again felt real and I loved how the children broke down her barriers. However, it was the two male leads who stole my heart. Both Joseph (Tames-His-Horse) and Neil were strong Godly men who both s\sought the will of God in everything they do.
The author did a great job with building up the suspense throughout the story and ending the story with a very suspenseful climax. There was also one chapter which ended in such a way that I was like...no what happened, I need to know what happened.
The story was also rich with Biblical references/scriptures and I loved Neil "donkey' experience.
But what the author did best was giving us two great male leads to love and I had a inner battle over who I wanted to end up with Willa.
For a debut this was a strong book. My favourite remains
by this author.This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2013
This beautiful story swept me away. Even though it's substantial in length, I gulped it down in two sittings. I was drawn into the pain of the main character, Willa, and fell in love with the children and hero Neil MacGregor. I love it when an author can portray a man of God in such a realistic & convincing way. Can't wait for more from this author. Highly recommend!
The long review from my blog:
“’It is about the heart and knowing the voice of the Great Good God in your spirit,’ he told them in his newborn fervor. ‘It is by His grace we are saved. By His goodness, not your own.’”
So speaks Joseph Tames-His-Horse, the Mohawk truth-teller from Lori Benton’s sweetly evocative novel, Burning Sky.
Burning Sky tells the story of Willa Obenchain, who was abducted from her family home at age fourteen in the early days of our country—when New York was a frontier. (As an upstate New Yorker I so enjoy imagining that. Think Drums Along the Mohawk and Last of the Mohicans.) She lived with the Mohawk People until she experienced the loss of her husband and children. As the novel begins, grief-stricken Willa is returning home to New York to live a solitary life. But God has other plans.
If Willa were a Bible character, she’d be . . .
Initially, Willa’s view of life could be summed up with Naomi’s pronouncement from the book of Ruth: “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”
Her story made me imagine what might have been different for Naomi had she been as young as Willa when tragedy struck. In real life, God brought new blessings to Naomi and filled up the three empty places in her heart.
The same happens for Lori Benton’s character, Willa. And her journey from brokenness to blessing, filled with adventure, romance, and grace, makes for great reading. I devoured this 300+ page story in two sittings and highly recommend it.
A section I loved . . .
Beautiful reminder, no?
Thoughts stirred by this theme: Reeds were bent and bruised not only when trodden under foot but also when used to fashion something strong and good—like a roof or basket. Though we don’t understand why griefs come as they do, we can rely on God’s promise that He will not crush His children.
Who will love this story?
I purchased (pre-ordered even) Burning Sky after noticing comments and ads while browsing Amazon and Romantic Times. (It’s a Romantic Times Top Pick.)
The long review from my blog:
“’It is about the heart and knowing the voice of the Great Good God in your spirit,’ he told them in his newborn fervor. ‘It is by His grace we are saved. By His goodness, not your own.’”
So speaks Joseph Tames-His-Horse, the Mohawk truth-teller from Lori Benton’s sweetly evocative novel, Burning Sky.
Burning Sky tells the story of Willa Obenchain, who was abducted from her family home at age fourteen in the early days of our country—when New York was a frontier. (As an upstate New Yorker I so enjoy imagining that. Think Drums Along the Mohawk and Last of the Mohicans.) She lived with the Mohawk People until she experienced the loss of her husband and children. As the novel begins, grief-stricken Willa is returning home to New York to live a solitary life. But God has other plans.
If Willa were a Bible character, she’d be . . .
Initially, Willa’s view of life could be summed up with Naomi’s pronouncement from the book of Ruth: “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”
Her story made me imagine what might have been different for Naomi had she been as young as Willa when tragedy struck. In real life, God brought new blessings to Naomi and filled up the three empty places in her heart.
The same happens for Lori Benton’s character, Willa. And her journey from brokenness to blessing, filled with adventure, romance, and grace, makes for great reading. I devoured this 300+ page story in two sittings and highly recommend it.
A section I loved . . .
“’Sister,’ said the Indian, ‘I am called Joseph Tames-His-Horse, and I have come far to say a thing to you. In my dream of you, I was saying it. Will you let me say it now?’
For the first time she didn’t recoil at a Mohawk calling her sister. She would listen to anything this Indian had to say, as long as he said it in English. But what he said was one of the very last things she’d expected. A verse of Holy Scripture.
‘A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench.’ Believe this, my sister, because He who said it is both great and good, and cannot lie.’”
Beautiful reminder, no?
Thoughts stirred by this theme: Reeds were bent and bruised not only when trodden under foot but also when used to fashion something strong and good—like a roof or basket. Though we don’t understand why griefs come as they do, we can rely on God’s promise that He will not crush His children.
Who will love this story?
Readers seeking faith-strengthening fiction.
History buffs, for sure
Fans of Laura Frantz, Rosslyn Elliott, Jocelyn Green, Elizabeth Camden, Colleen Coble.
Readers who love people of God portrayed as strong, believable characters.
Older teen readers on up.
Homeschoolers may particularly appreciate the attention to detail in capturing American frontier life of the 1780’s.
I purchased (pre-ordered even) Burning Sky after noticing comments and ads while browsing Amazon and Romantic Times. (It’s a Romantic Times Top Pick.)
October 30, 2013
I haven't LOVED a debut novel as much as Burning Sky in a long time.
Burning Sky isn't your normal kind of book. I think I knew this before even reading it, simply from what I'd heard about it... and likely the strange undeniable draw I had to a book named simply after its heroine.
I'm not sure what to say. I spent two days straight reading this book. I stayed up until 2am on a Saturday night to finish it--despite the fact that I'd been more tired lately than I'd ever been (due to being at the near end of my first trimester), and that I had to get up early for church the following morning. This tired momma didn't care. I just needed to keep reading.
Burning Sky also included one of the best written Reader's Guides I've ever come across. Maybe it had to do with the deep places the author's characters had taken my heart along the way, but whatever the reason, it was perfect. Read it as well. You will not be disappointed.
Every word, every character and every emotion were just as I would have chosen myself... they were so true, so perfectly situated... Now I just feel like I'm babbling on and on... but really, days later, my heart is still so full of Burning Sky/Wilhelmina Oberchain, Joseph Tame-His-Horse and Neil MacGregor and the way their paths were entangled and intertwined to bring about God's best for their lives.
Like I said, I suspect that this book is going to be hard to top for a long, long while.
Burning Sky isn't your normal kind of book. I think I knew this before even reading it, simply from what I'd heard about it... and likely the strange undeniable draw I had to a book named simply after its heroine.
I'm not sure what to say. I spent two days straight reading this book. I stayed up until 2am on a Saturday night to finish it--despite the fact that I'd been more tired lately than I'd ever been (due to being at the near end of my first trimester), and that I had to get up early for church the following morning. This tired momma didn't care. I just needed to keep reading.
Burning Sky also included one of the best written Reader's Guides I've ever come across. Maybe it had to do with the deep places the author's characters had taken my heart along the way, but whatever the reason, it was perfect. Read it as well. You will not be disappointed.
Every word, every character and every emotion were just as I would have chosen myself... they were so true, so perfectly situated... Now I just feel like I'm babbling on and on... but really, days later, my heart is still so full of Burning Sky/Wilhelmina Oberchain, Joseph Tame-His-Horse and Neil MacGregor and the way their paths were entangled and intertwined to bring about God's best for their lives.
Like I said, I suspect that this book is going to be hard to top for a long, long while.
November 2, 2021
Full review on FaithfullyBookish.com
Lori Benton’s masterful storytelling breathes love, life, and emotion across the dusty pages of history. Over two centuries later, the spirit of the frontier continues to inspire and encourage us. Women like Willa vulnerably display the beauty of femininity with deep, heartbreaking love and graceful, empowering faith to this day.
Benton is without a doubt one of my all-time favorite authors. I love the way the author unapologetically exposes the raw emotional experiences her characters endure while faithfully crafting word pictures worthy of the vivid and artistic splendor of God’s creation which they represent. I highly recommend this book and eagerly anticipate this author’s future works.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Lori Benton’s masterful storytelling breathes love, life, and emotion across the dusty pages of history. Over two centuries later, the spirit of the frontier continues to inspire and encourage us. Women like Willa vulnerably display the beauty of femininity with deep, heartbreaking love and graceful, empowering faith to this day.
Benton is without a doubt one of my all-time favorite authors. I love the way the author unapologetically exposes the raw emotional experiences her characters endure while faithfully crafting word pictures worthy of the vivid and artistic splendor of God’s creation which they represent. I highly recommend this book and eagerly anticipate this author’s future works.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
December 31, 2017
Adored this novel. I could binge read Lori Benton books all day every day. They are beautiful, raw, tender, poignant, profound, and worth reading multiple times. The characters in this one were drawn with careful detail and a complex palette of colors. Gorgeous.
January 18, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised that I really enjoyed this book. I had read a different book by Lori Benton and felt like the writing was somewhat poor (though the story itself was interesting.) Due to her unique stories, I decided to pick up another book of hers and I’m glad I did! This book was written so much better; almost like it was a different author. This whole story was heart wrenching and beautifully sweet. The plot was a bit slower paced (but not boring) and about halfway through is when everything really intensified and swelled my heart with so many emotions! It’s hard to write anything about the plot without giving it away. It was good. Read it! ;)
June 27, 2013
Burning Sky is a powerful and heart-tugging novel that I could scarcely put down. With a beautiful and lyrical voice, Lori Benton draws the reader into the world of her characters on the wild frontier of early America. I found myself rooting for them all. My heart hurt when theirs did and I rejoiced along side them. It’s a story that’s stuck with me long after I turned the last page. Highly recommended!
June 1, 2020
Tangible grief and hope infused this story from beginning to end. This created a dramatic story, but it did not tip into the dreaded over-the-top melodrama. The rich details found throughout were proof of the author’s research skills. I really enjoyed the makeshift-family angle, and the author truly shines when writing American Indian stories. I can hardly wait for her next one, whenever it might come. (This was the last book of hers I had not read until now.)
The only disappointments were a couple of expletives early and one profanity late. Those are never necessary, to my way of thinking, and they always distract from the amazingness of a story.
Content: two expletives, one profanity, drugs, tobacco
The only disappointments were a couple of expletives early and one profanity late. Those are never necessary, to my way of thinking, and they always distract from the amazingness of a story.
Content: two expletives, one profanity, drugs, tobacco
March 26, 2022
An amazing book from beginning to end; captivating history, mesmerizing characters, intriguing story line, . . . . a one word description; extraordinary!
July 22, 2025
An enjoyable read featuring many complex, and ultimately redemptive, themes including loss, racial and political tensions, found family, injury-induced disability (permanent), and faith. I also don’t think I’ve ever read a book with this particular setting before—exploring the turbulent society of the US immediately following the Revolutionary War. In some ways, I was surprised that there were so many different elements of what reality would have been like in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War of which I’ve been completely unaware until reading this book, and that aspect of the book felt a bit like those same themes in Gone With the Wind, except that that’s dealing with the immediate fallout of a later/different war.
It seems so easy to simplify and almost trivialize history, especially the further we get from a specific time period, but just the element alone, which Benton highlights really effectively in this book, of one’s complete inability to trust other people in your community, regardless of British, Canadian, Colonial, or Indigenous ethnicity, and the rapidity at which betrayal, accusation, confiscation of property, and fractured relationships could happen at the slightest whiff of hesitation in declaring your loyalties, was very well portrayed. I also really appreciated Benton’s incredibly sensitive approach at avoiding stereotypes within each of the different heritages and cultural backgrounds, and that no single people group came across as uniformly heroic or uniformly villainous. Each community was complex and well-developed, both within itself, and in its relations with the other communities/ethnic groups.
A wonderful first book in a little “spousal book club” that I’m doing with my wife—reading through all of the winners of the Christy Award for “Book of the Year”, this being the first!
It seems so easy to simplify and almost trivialize history, especially the further we get from a specific time period, but just the element alone, which Benton highlights really effectively in this book, of one’s complete inability to trust other people in your community, regardless of British, Canadian, Colonial, or Indigenous ethnicity, and the rapidity at which betrayal, accusation, confiscation of property, and fractured relationships could happen at the slightest whiff of hesitation in declaring your loyalties, was very well portrayed. I also really appreciated Benton’s incredibly sensitive approach at avoiding stereotypes within each of the different heritages and cultural backgrounds, and that no single people group came across as uniformly heroic or uniformly villainous. Each community was complex and well-developed, both within itself, and in its relations with the other communities/ethnic groups.
A wonderful first book in a little “spousal book club” that I’m doing with my wife—reading through all of the winners of the Christy Award for “Book of the Year”, this being the first!
May 4, 2022
I have such mixed emotions right now. Lori Benton has crafted a beautifully written, sweeping tale of a frontier torn by war and its aftermath. The characters were strong and conflicted. The dialect felt authentic without sacrificing readability, with few times that I questioned historical context. The narrative style fit the story—it was deep POV and yet not, lending a true storytelling flair. There was a bit too much drama for me where the almost–love triangle was concerned, but at the same time, I was glad Joseph’s storyline didn’t go where I feared it might. I really enjoyed his scenes and perspective. I thought it was fascinating to have characters with these particular backstories and struggles, and I thought Willa’s backstory was particularly masterful—never dragging the story down with flashbacks or info dumps, but clearly shaping everything about who she was as a character.
I know the frontier was not a place of prim Victorian decorum, but I felt that as an eighteenth-century Christian gentleman, Neil should have had enough concern for Willa’s already-jeopardized reputation to move out of her cabin as soon as he was physically able. I wanted Neil and Willa to be wise enough to say, We’re attracted to each other and we’re lonely and maybe it’s not a good idea for us to be living in the same cabin—especially because Neil apparently had no trouble finding lodging with other characters later in the story. I can’t help wondering why in Christian frontier fiction it’s okay for things to happen that I would find creepy in a modern-day story—Neil repeatedly seeing Willa in her shift, for example, or helping her wash her hair. I find this type of thing historically “off” and less than God-honoring, and it rarely serves any purpose but obvious romantic tension. There’s also a brief attempted rape scene near the end of this book, which some readers will want to be aware of.
I regret having to include such a lengthy personal caveat for a book that truly was well written and so superbly portrayed life on the outskirts of a new nation. The historical context was fascinating, especially with the inclusion of the Mohawk language and Neil’s profession, and I loved the characters. Francis was an excellent addition, and the children were so sweet. The book was a slow start for me, but not in a bad way—just in a thoughtful way. By the end, though, I had a hard time putting it down. Benton really captured the tensions and volatility of the post-war frontier. Excellent as historical fiction!
I know the frontier was not a place of prim Victorian decorum, but I felt that as an eighteenth-century Christian gentleman, Neil should have had enough concern for Willa’s already-jeopardized reputation to move out of her cabin as soon as he was physically able. I wanted Neil and Willa to be wise enough to say, We’re attracted to each other and we’re lonely and maybe it’s not a good idea for us to be living in the same cabin—especially because Neil apparently had no trouble finding lodging with other characters later in the story. I can’t help wondering why in Christian frontier fiction it’s okay for things to happen that I would find creepy in a modern-day story—Neil repeatedly seeing Willa in her shift, for example, or helping her wash her hair. I find this type of thing historically “off” and less than God-honoring, and it rarely serves any purpose but obvious romantic tension. There’s also a brief attempted rape scene near the end of this book, which some readers will want to be aware of.
I regret having to include such a lengthy personal caveat for a book that truly was well written and so superbly portrayed life on the outskirts of a new nation. The historical context was fascinating, especially with the inclusion of the Mohawk language and Neil’s profession, and I loved the characters. Francis was an excellent addition, and the children were so sweet. The book was a slow start for me, but not in a bad way—just in a thoughtful way. By the end, though, I had a hard time putting it down. Benton really captured the tensions and volatility of the post-war frontier. Excellent as historical fiction!
January 31, 2019
This one took a bit of time to get 'into', but at the end, I was racing through pages to find out what happened next.
This is one of several books I've read where a white person has been captured and taken to live among the native People to 'replace' a child that had been taken from them. In each story (as with this one), the sense of anguish at remembering their former life, but then trying to integrate into a new life was heartrending. Though this story takes place after Willa/Burning Sky returns to her white family's land, we still see the conflict she feels at trying to reintegrate herself among the settlers, while still holding to the memories and lessons she learned during her captivity. It's a heartbreaking road to try and walk, and the author did an excellent job of portraying it, I think.
I really liked both Neil and Joseph. I think they were each trying their best to do what God asked them to do, no matter the personal cost. I appreciated the sacrifices both were willing to make for the sake of others and willingness to follow God's leading.
I'm not sure I can say more about the action in this novel without giving away spoilers, but, suffice it to say, there was a whole lot of mystery and suspense going on as well. Definitely a Good Read.
This is one of several books I've read where a white person has been captured and taken to live among the native People to 'replace' a child that had been taken from them. In each story (as with this one), the sense of anguish at remembering their former life, but then trying to integrate into a new life was heartrending. Though this story takes place after Willa/Burning Sky returns to her white family's land, we still see the conflict she feels at trying to reintegrate herself among the settlers, while still holding to the memories and lessons she learned during her captivity. It's a heartbreaking road to try and walk, and the author did an excellent job of portraying it, I think.
I really liked both Neil and Joseph. I think they were each trying their best to do what God asked them to do, no matter the personal cost. I appreciated the sacrifices both were willing to make for the sake of others and willingness to follow God's leading.
I'm not sure I can say more about the action in this novel without giving away spoilers, but, suffice it to say, there was a whole lot of mystery and suspense going on as well. Definitely a Good Read.
February 8, 2017
Burning Sky is a great story. I'm so glad that I was challenged to read this book. I already have Ms. Benton's newest book on hold at my library.
I admired Willa's strength of character & how she made the best of being thrust into a new situation, a new family. I also liked how she didn't try to excuse or explain away her life with the Mohawks.
Neil & Joseph Tames His Horse were also great characters. I didn't think that Joseph showed his faith very much through most the story. Neil was great, with Willa, with the kids & even toward Joseph. I admired though how Joseph stuck around & helped.
This was a great story, with a lot going on, but I was never confused. Engaging & riveting to the very end.
I admired Willa's strength of character & how she made the best of being thrust into a new situation, a new family. I also liked how she didn't try to excuse or explain away her life with the Mohawks.
Neil & Joseph Tames His Horse were also great characters. I didn't think that Joseph showed his faith very much through most the story. Neil was great, with Willa, with the kids & even toward Joseph. I admired though how Joseph stuck around & helped.
This was a great story, with a lot going on, but I was never confused. Engaging & riveting to the very end.
October 30, 2021
Loved it. Great story and so well written. No wonder it was an award winner! I hope to read author Lori Benton's new release Shiloh, and since she has said that Burning Sky ties into it, I went back to read it. I missed it when it came out and I'm so glad I read it now. Will be interested to see the tie-ins when I get a chance to read Shiloh!
January 2, 2016
When Willa Obenchain was fourteen years old, she was abducted by Mohawk Indians and renamed Burning Sky. Now she's come home to the village she once knew, to the land and homestead of her parents. Love and grief have changed her in the last twelve years, and the American Revolution has altered forever both the Mohawk community she left and the white community she's returning to. Willa has a plan: to live alone for the rest of her days, strong enough to resist love and therefore hurt. But her brother Tames-His-Horse wants her to return with him to their People. The man she finds injured on her land, Scottish botanist Neil MacGregor, wants to help her restore the home of her parents. Childhood friends and new enemies add to the tug-of-war over her heart. Willa isn't sure she belongs. Anywhere.
Yes, the bones of Willa's story have been told before. A white child abducted by Indians, raised as one of the People, returning home to suspicion and prejudice. A woman scarred by life, choosing to shut her heart away rather than feel its broken edges. A man who falls in love with her, seeing past all her walls no matter how high she builds them, speaking truth to her and waiting for her to listen and see him and receive his love. But here's the thing: those pieces of the story are familiar because they're compelling. They're told time and again because so many of us can relate--to alienation, to loss, to the desire to hide our hearts away while we simultaneously desire for someone to see us, jagged shards and all, and refuse to stop loving us.
In the hands of a skilled writer, those familiar characters can be given new life over and over again with the little details, quirks of voice and personality. Characters we subconsciously recognize can become unique individuals in the right writer's hands. And Lori Benton is that writer.
The setting of this book is brought to life with what must have been grueling research. I didn't notice a dialogue anachronism--not a single one--in this entire book. I loved everybody, main and secondary characters alike. I'm sad to see this is a standalone novel. I wish I could spend more time in this community. Yes, the plot elements are resolved, but then what happened? What happens next to Willa and Neil, and what growth is in store for them along the way?
This book deserves a special note on dialogue, because I found every word of it absolutely delightful, and I'm something of a dialogue snob (my definition: someone who will literally put a book down forever if the dialogue doesn't work).
My favorite voice was (of course) Neil MacGregor's. Oh, the lovely Scottish accent. I grinned when people misunderstood his vocabulary. I waited eagerly for him to return any time he was off the page. And his voice isn't the only reason for this. I truly loved this character. He's good, patient, kind, intelligent, educated, passionate about his calling as a naturalist, deeply devoted to his faith, not above griping at his horse and his dog, not above asking questions of his God. He's tenacious. He's vulnerable due to an injury that has left him with a life-altering debilitation. I'm usually drawn to darker characters, the ones who make questionable moral decisions and sometimes need someone else to voice truth to them. But Neil is often the voice of truth in this story, and I loved him for that too. At the same time, I loved that even Neil has lessons to learn. He isn't perfect, and he doesn't trust God perfectly.
Another testament to Benton's skill is that while questions of faith are discussed openly by the characters, the characters are not mouthpieces for the novel's themes. There is no "moral to the story" spoon-feeding here; there's only the story itself.
Do I have any gripes? Well, it's a historical romance and a Christian novel, so a few of the conclusions are foregone. But that's an issue I have with the genres, not with this particular book. This particular book is an excellent example not only of its genres but of fiction in general.
4.5 stars, and I guess I'd better go find everything else Lori Benton has written.
Yes, the bones of Willa's story have been told before. A white child abducted by Indians, raised as one of the People, returning home to suspicion and prejudice. A woman scarred by life, choosing to shut her heart away rather than feel its broken edges. A man who falls in love with her, seeing past all her walls no matter how high she builds them, speaking truth to her and waiting for her to listen and see him and receive his love. But here's the thing: those pieces of the story are familiar because they're compelling. They're told time and again because so many of us can relate--to alienation, to loss, to the desire to hide our hearts away while we simultaneously desire for someone to see us, jagged shards and all, and refuse to stop loving us.
In the hands of a skilled writer, those familiar characters can be given new life over and over again with the little details, quirks of voice and personality. Characters we subconsciously recognize can become unique individuals in the right writer's hands. And Lori Benton is that writer.
The setting of this book is brought to life with what must have been grueling research. I didn't notice a dialogue anachronism--not a single one--in this entire book. I loved everybody, main and secondary characters alike. I'm sad to see this is a standalone novel. I wish I could spend more time in this community. Yes, the plot elements are resolved, but then what happened? What happens next to Willa and Neil, and what growth is in store for them along the way?
This book deserves a special note on dialogue, because I found every word of it absolutely delightful, and I'm something of a dialogue snob (my definition: someone who will literally put a book down forever if the dialogue doesn't work).
My favorite voice was (of course) Neil MacGregor's. Oh, the lovely Scottish accent. I grinned when people misunderstood his vocabulary. I waited eagerly for him to return any time he was off the page. And his voice isn't the only reason for this. I truly loved this character. He's good, patient, kind, intelligent, educated, passionate about his calling as a naturalist, deeply devoted to his faith, not above griping at his horse and his dog, not above asking questions of his God. He's tenacious. He's vulnerable due to an injury that has left him with a life-altering debilitation. I'm usually drawn to darker characters, the ones who make questionable moral decisions and sometimes need someone else to voice truth to them. But Neil is often the voice of truth in this story, and I loved him for that too. At the same time, I loved that even Neil has lessons to learn. He isn't perfect, and he doesn't trust God perfectly.
Another testament to Benton's skill is that while questions of faith are discussed openly by the characters, the characters are not mouthpieces for the novel's themes. There is no "moral to the story" spoon-feeding here; there's only the story itself.
Do I have any gripes? Well, it's a historical romance and a Christian novel, so a few of the conclusions are foregone. But that's an issue I have with the genres, not with this particular book. This particular book is an excellent example not only of its genres but of fiction in general.
4.5 stars, and I guess I'd better go find everything else Lori Benton has written.
December 21, 2013
When Willa Obenchain is kidnapped by Indians at the age of fourteen, she expects to never see her parents again. She adapts to her new culture with the Wolf Clan, her new life. She even eventually marries and has children. Then, in practically the blink of an eye, she loses everything and is left adrift. She has two choices. She can either follow join the Wolf Clan at Niagara where the British soldiers have promised refuse. Or she can return home to the parents she hasn't seen in twelve years. She chooses the latter and is on that journey home that she meets Neil MacGregor, a scientist/botanist who is cataloging the flora of the American frontier. Despite all of Willa's hopes that her family might still be where she left them, she finds her former home vacant. The townspeople do not trust her, and the man she once cared for as a young girl just beginning to blush into womanhood has turned into a man she does not recognize. Willa must choose her identity. Is she Willa Obenchain, the daughter of German immigrants? Or is she Burning Sky, the Mohawk maiden? Her clan brother, Joseph Tames-His-Horse, desperately wants her to return to the Wolf Clan, but the decision must be Willa's. Fortunately for her, she does not make it alone because God stands at her side.
I'm not sure what I expected when I picked up this book, but it certainly wasn't what Lori Benton delivered. Once I started reading "Burning Sky" I could hardly put it down. I finished the last 100 pages well into the wee hours one night because I could not stop reading, even knowing I had to go to work the next day. Ms. Benton has a distinct knack for storytelling. In the hands of any other writer, this same story might be flat or even mundane. But Ms. Benton brings Willa's tale to glorious life. Her writing style is reminiscent of classical authors, but without being overdone. She simply knows how much to describe and what to leave to the imagination.
The main characters are deliciously realistic. I struggle with most heroines of historic fiction, but not so with Willa. She is a tormented soul who has suffered much and lost much. She is a confused member of two distinctly different worlds. I sympathize with Willa, feel her pain, want to heal her, and above all, I want her to love again. Neil is also relatable. He is a compassionate Scotsman who loves Willa almost from the very beginning. He stands by her even when no one else will, and he defends her even if it means he might get hurt in the process. He is a loving, decent man. Which is what makes the story almost painful for me because I love Joseph Tames-His-Horse. It's not that I dislike Neil, only that I love Joseph and Burning Sky together. I know why Willa made her choices. I understand her logic, but a part of me still wishes for a different outcome.
I know that Ms. Benton has a contract for another book by Waterbrook. I hope this 2nd book will not be her last because I haven't loved a historic author this much in a long time. Most of the historic books I read receive 4 stars because they're good, maybe even great, but Ms. Benton has a blessed touch with her writing that makes me salivate for her second novel. I pray that recreates the same magical prose she has mastered with "Burning Sky."
- I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
I'm not sure what I expected when I picked up this book, but it certainly wasn't what Lori Benton delivered. Once I started reading "Burning Sky" I could hardly put it down. I finished the last 100 pages well into the wee hours one night because I could not stop reading, even knowing I had to go to work the next day. Ms. Benton has a distinct knack for storytelling. In the hands of any other writer, this same story might be flat or even mundane. But Ms. Benton brings Willa's tale to glorious life. Her writing style is reminiscent of classical authors, but without being overdone. She simply knows how much to describe and what to leave to the imagination.
The main characters are deliciously realistic. I struggle with most heroines of historic fiction, but not so with Willa. She is a tormented soul who has suffered much and lost much. She is a confused member of two distinctly different worlds. I sympathize with Willa, feel her pain, want to heal her, and above all, I want her to love again. Neil is also relatable. He is a compassionate Scotsman who loves Willa almost from the very beginning. He stands by her even when no one else will, and he defends her even if it means he might get hurt in the process. He is a loving, decent man. Which is what makes the story almost painful for me because I love Joseph Tames-His-Horse. It's not that I dislike Neil, only that I love Joseph and Burning Sky together. I know why Willa made her choices. I understand her logic, but a part of me still wishes for a different outcome.
I know that Ms. Benton has a contract for another book by Waterbrook. I hope this 2nd book will not be her last because I haven't loved a historic author this much in a long time. Most of the historic books I read receive 4 stars because they're good, maybe even great, but Ms. Benton has a blessed touch with her writing that makes me salivate for her second novel. I pray that recreates the same magical prose she has mastered with "Burning Sky."
- I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
October 6, 2020
“She was adrift between two lives, unable to grieve. Unable to hope.” (62)
The beauty and richness of this story will grab a hold of you and not let go until far beyond the last page.
Willa has endured so much pain and loss in her life. At the age of 14, she was taken from her family by Mohawk Indians. After adjusting, Willa lived a full life with her new family. Twelve years later, her family has been ripped from her again, and Willa finds herself at a crossroads: where does she belong?
She has had two families. Torn from both, belonging to neither, and caught between both, Willa must find a way to continue on alone.
The pain she has suffered has made her stronger, but her past has taught her to be cautious with her heart and not risk it again. She has closed her heart off to protect herself from any further pain in her life. This book is her journey of not only finding where she belongs, but also of learning to open her heart to love, despite the risk.
The book opens when Willa returns to the land of her parents. As Willa’s story is slowly revealed, the reader learns about the things she has endured. On the journey she takes in this book, there are three central characters in Willa’s life that, in a way, represent the three phases of her life.
-First, there is Richard Waring, who she knew in her childhood. Before she was taken, Richard had intentions to marry Willa. Now, he is a hardened man, bitter and angry from war and the things he has seen.
-The next man in her life, Joseph Tames-His-Horse, has been a close friend to Willa since she was adopted into the Mohawk tribe. He is a strong, loyal man who wants to protect and provide for her. They have unspoken feelings for each other, however, because they are in the same clan, he is considered her brother.
-Third is Neil MacGregor, whom Willa finds on the side of the road, injured and unconscious. Willa takes care of him as she tries to readjust to the life she left long ago. Neil is a botanist and a doctor who is passionate about discovering new plants, but an accident has impaired his ability to read and write. Whereas the other two men know her from one of her previous “lives”, Neil knows Willa as she is now, fragmented and broken from her past.
This novel is a lengthy read, however, it is well worth your time. The plot is both intricate and well thought-out, which makes for a captivating and satisfying read. Toward the end of the book, many loose ends remain, but I was pleasantly surprised to read how everything unfolded, and it came together quite nicely. All the questions that you will have while reading the book will be answered by the end, and I found myself happy with the ending. (I have to say, Willa does not choose the man I wanted her to choose, however, I think the ending was very fitting for the story.)
*I received a copy of this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through the Blogging for Books program for my honest review.*
The beauty and richness of this story will grab a hold of you and not let go until far beyond the last page.
Willa has endured so much pain and loss in her life. At the age of 14, she was taken from her family by Mohawk Indians. After adjusting, Willa lived a full life with her new family. Twelve years later, her family has been ripped from her again, and Willa finds herself at a crossroads: where does she belong?
She has had two families. Torn from both, belonging to neither, and caught between both, Willa must find a way to continue on alone.
The pain she has suffered has made her stronger, but her past has taught her to be cautious with her heart and not risk it again. She has closed her heart off to protect herself from any further pain in her life. This book is her journey of not only finding where she belongs, but also of learning to open her heart to love, despite the risk.
The book opens when Willa returns to the land of her parents. As Willa’s story is slowly revealed, the reader learns about the things she has endured. On the journey she takes in this book, there are three central characters in Willa’s life that, in a way, represent the three phases of her life.
-First, there is Richard Waring, who she knew in her childhood. Before she was taken, Richard had intentions to marry Willa. Now, he is a hardened man, bitter and angry from war and the things he has seen.
-The next man in her life, Joseph Tames-His-Horse, has been a close friend to Willa since she was adopted into the Mohawk tribe. He is a strong, loyal man who wants to protect and provide for her. They have unspoken feelings for each other, however, because they are in the same clan, he is considered her brother.
-Third is Neil MacGregor, whom Willa finds on the side of the road, injured and unconscious. Willa takes care of him as she tries to readjust to the life she left long ago. Neil is a botanist and a doctor who is passionate about discovering new plants, but an accident has impaired his ability to read and write. Whereas the other two men know her from one of her previous “lives”, Neil knows Willa as she is now, fragmented and broken from her past.
This novel is a lengthy read, however, it is well worth your time. The plot is both intricate and well thought-out, which makes for a captivating and satisfying read. Toward the end of the book, many loose ends remain, but I was pleasantly surprised to read how everything unfolded, and it came together quite nicely. All the questions that you will have while reading the book will be answered by the end, and I found myself happy with the ending. (I have to say, Willa does not choose the man I wanted her to choose, however, I think the ending was very fitting for the story.)
*I received a copy of this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through the Blogging for Books program for my honest review.*
November 19, 2013
The Native American aspect of this book is what pulled my interest its way. I didn't know much about the plot before I began reading other than that. I was slightly disappointed that there wasn't more to the Native American aspect. There are a few main characters that are Native American, and a couple background characters that are so, but we don't get to see the true Native American lifestyle within its pages. There are references to certain traditions and customs made, though, which I enjoyed.
All of that said, my disappointment with anything in relation to this book was very slight! This is a beautiful novel! It was very different that what I expected, but still a gorgeous story. There IS a love triangle within this book. I know some people hate those things, but as long as the triangle consists of 2 worthy "opponents", I love a good love triangle included in a book. It keeps me guessing and breaks up the predictability of the story. The two men vying for Willa's affections couldn't have been more worthy! As always, I was also disappointed that my pick didn't win. My pick in a love triangle almost *never* wins. ;) Willa still gets a great guy, though!
While the romance IS a big part of this story, there's so much more going on. It's not a "light and fluffy" read by any stretch. There's hate and evilness and violence that Willa(and others) have to deal with. There's a great deal of side stories happening alongside Willa's story. Her childhood, and now adult friend, Anni, is expecting. She's worried! There's Francis, Anni's brother, that has many secrets, but can't express himself the way others would expect. Then there's Richard, the young man that Willa would have married if not kidnapped. The war and violence he's seen since Willa's parting has changed him, but everyone is having a hard time accepting that change.
If you're looking for a light and fluffy romance, you won't find it within these pages. If you're looking for a complex story full of healing and forgiveness, with a side of romance, then this might just be a great pick for you. I give it a highly recommended!
*I was provided an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
All of that said, my disappointment with anything in relation to this book was very slight! This is a beautiful novel! It was very different that what I expected, but still a gorgeous story. There IS a love triangle within this book. I know some people hate those things, but as long as the triangle consists of 2 worthy "opponents", I love a good love triangle included in a book. It keeps me guessing and breaks up the predictability of the story. The two men vying for Willa's affections couldn't have been more worthy! As always, I was also disappointed that my pick didn't win. My pick in a love triangle almost *never* wins. ;) Willa still gets a great guy, though!
While the romance IS a big part of this story, there's so much more going on. It's not a "light and fluffy" read by any stretch. There's hate and evilness and violence that Willa(and others) have to deal with. There's a great deal of side stories happening alongside Willa's story. Her childhood, and now adult friend, Anni, is expecting. She's worried! There's Francis, Anni's brother, that has many secrets, but can't express himself the way others would expect. Then there's Richard, the young man that Willa would have married if not kidnapped. The war and violence he's seen since Willa's parting has changed him, but everyone is having a hard time accepting that change.
If you're looking for a light and fluffy romance, you won't find it within these pages. If you're looking for a complex story full of healing and forgiveness, with a side of romance, then this might just be a great pick for you. I give it a highly recommended!
*I was provided an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 1, 2015
SUMMARY: Abducted by Mohawk Indians at fourteen and renamed Burning Sky, Willa Obenchain is driven to return to her family’s New York frontier homestead after many years building a life with the People. At the boundary of her father’s property, Willa discovers a wounded Scotsman lying in her path. Feeling obliged to nurse his injuries, the two quickly find much has changed during her twelve-year absence—her childhood home is in disrepair, her missing parents are rumored to be Tories, and the young Richard Waring she once admired is now grown into a man twisted by the horrors of war and claiming ownership of the Obenchain land.
When her Mohawk brother arrives and questions her place in the white world, the cultural divide blurs Willa’s vision. Can she follow Tames-His-Horse back to the People now that she is no longer Burning Sky? And what about Neil MacGregor, the kind and loyal botanist who does not fit into in her plan for a solitary life, yet is now helping her revive her farm? In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, strong feelings against “savages” abound in the nearby village of Shiloh, leaving Willa’s safety unsure.
Willa is a woman caught between two worlds. As tensions rise, challenging her shielded heart, the woman called Burning Sky must find a new courage--the courage to again risk embracing the blessings the Almighty wants to bestow. Is she brave enough to love again?
REVIEW: Full of great historical detail, rich, complex characters, and a wonderful story line, Lori Benton, a new-to-me author has hooked me with her writing. I found this story immensely interesting since I descend from a line that were British Loyalists during the Revolution. The conflict within Willa regarding her life with the Indians and her life as a "white" person was totally understandable considering her age at abduction and how many years she spent with the Indians. Neil was a rare man in his understanding of her torn feelings. The support of her clan brother "Joseph" was very endearing, and Matthew and Maggie were a just right fit for Willa. Overall a great read.
When her Mohawk brother arrives and questions her place in the white world, the cultural divide blurs Willa’s vision. Can she follow Tames-His-Horse back to the People now that she is no longer Burning Sky? And what about Neil MacGregor, the kind and loyal botanist who does not fit into in her plan for a solitary life, yet is now helping her revive her farm? In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, strong feelings against “savages” abound in the nearby village of Shiloh, leaving Willa’s safety unsure.
Willa is a woman caught between two worlds. As tensions rise, challenging her shielded heart, the woman called Burning Sky must find a new courage--the courage to again risk embracing the blessings the Almighty wants to bestow. Is she brave enough to love again?
REVIEW: Full of great historical detail, rich, complex characters, and a wonderful story line, Lori Benton, a new-to-me author has hooked me with her writing. I found this story immensely interesting since I descend from a line that were British Loyalists during the Revolution. The conflict within Willa regarding her life with the Indians and her life as a "white" person was totally understandable considering her age at abduction and how many years she spent with the Indians. Neil was a rare man in his understanding of her torn feelings. The support of her clan brother "Joseph" was very endearing, and Matthew and Maggie were a just right fit for Willa. Overall a great read.
June 10, 2016
This was a truly engrossing and emotionally charged book that I just couldn't put down. I didn't just "like" or "love" the characters of Burning Sky/Willa, Joseph-Tames-His-Horse, and Neil McGregor- I FELL IN LOVE WITH THEM! It reminded me a lot of the feelings I experienced when I read Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series for the very first time.
Although not a time traveling type of book, Lori Benton has intricately woven her historical research so well that I felt I time travelled back to early independent America. The beliefs, the hardships of the frontier, the risks of disease, are all illustrated very finely. Remember, this was a time when the United States was still so young. Benton's portrayal of the Iroquois nations is treated with the utmost respect and I loved the inclusion of information about Joseph Brant and the lives of the Native Americans after the Revolution. Many of the non Native-characters of the town reflect the physical and emotional scars that left their marks on people, including the relationships they had before the war.
Then there is the relationship between Burning Sky/Willa and Neil McGregor and Joseph-Tames-His-Horse. It reminded me of Reese Witherspoon having to choose between the two men in her life, played so well by Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas in Sweet Home Alabama. Both are really great men, but it is a truth universally acknowledged in the Western World( especially in Christian historical fiction) that our female protagonist will only be able to choose ONE man. Aww, shucks!
If I experienced any "unhappy" issues pertaining to the story, I would have to admit that it does lull a little bit in the middle. However, the action does soon return and the ending was absolutely satisfactory.
Well worth the read!
Although not a time traveling type of book, Lori Benton has intricately woven her historical research so well that I felt I time travelled back to early independent America. The beliefs, the hardships of the frontier, the risks of disease, are all illustrated very finely. Remember, this was a time when the United States was still so young. Benton's portrayal of the Iroquois nations is treated with the utmost respect and I loved the inclusion of information about Joseph Brant and the lives of the Native Americans after the Revolution. Many of the non Native-characters of the town reflect the physical and emotional scars that left their marks on people, including the relationships they had before the war.
Then there is the relationship between Burning Sky/Willa and Neil McGregor and Joseph-Tames-His-Horse. It reminded me of Reese Witherspoon having to choose between the two men in her life, played so well by Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas in Sweet Home Alabama. Both are really great men, but it is a truth universally acknowledged in the Western World( especially in Christian historical fiction) that our female protagonist will only be able to choose ONE man. Aww, shucks!
If I experienced any "unhappy" issues pertaining to the story, I would have to admit that it does lull a little bit in the middle. However, the action does soon return and the ending was absolutely satisfactory.
Well worth the read!
September 1, 2013
This book swept me back to another time and place. Benton's honed prose is something to savor, and the main character, Willa Obenchain, will be burned in my mind's eye forever. This is the kind of heroine I can relate to--one who isn't timid and reticent, but protective and bold. I wouldn't hesitate to categorize this as one of the best historical novels I've read. Looking forward to more of Benton's books.
September 4, 2017
Burning Sky by Lori Benton
Time Frame: 1784 post Revolutionary War
Location: Frontier of New York
Main Characters:
Burning Sky/Willa Obenchain, Captured as a child, raised and married in the Wolf clan of Mohawk Indians
Neil MacGregor, Injured botanist Willa found on her way to her parents farm
Joseph Tames-His-Horse, Indian brother from Wolf Clan
Anni Keppler, Best friend
Richard Waring, Man from her past intent on taking her land
Aram Crane, Bad guy, escaped British soldier
My second Lori Benton book and just as stirring as The Wood's Edge. In both books young girls were taken from their homes and family, were raised and married in their clan. Both girls grew to love their lives with the Indians, but in this book, Burning Sky, (Mohawk name she was given) was old enough to remember her parents and their farm. Twelve years later, after the death of her entire Mohawk family from small pox, and having no more home, she returned on foot from Canada to the wilderness farm she remembered in New York.
Synopsis:
Once again, this novel's wow-factor leaves you wanting more. I understand this was Ms. Benton's first novel. To pen such an amazing book for her first offering is impressive. Many an author I've read with multiple books have never, in my estimation, reached her level of talent.
So excited to read the next of the three books I recently received.
Time Frame: 1784 post Revolutionary War
Location: Frontier of New York
Main Characters:
Burning Sky/Willa Obenchain, Captured as a child, raised and married in the Wolf clan of Mohawk Indians
Neil MacGregor, Injured botanist Willa found on her way to her parents farm
Joseph Tames-His-Horse, Indian brother from Wolf Clan
Anni Keppler, Best friend
Richard Waring, Man from her past intent on taking her land
Aram Crane, Bad guy, escaped British soldier
My second Lori Benton book and just as stirring as The Wood's Edge. In both books young girls were taken from their homes and family, were raised and married in their clan. Both girls grew to love their lives with the Indians, but in this book, Burning Sky, (Mohawk name she was given) was old enough to remember her parents and their farm. Twelve years later, after the death of her entire Mohawk family from small pox, and having no more home, she returned on foot from Canada to the wilderness farm she remembered in New York.
Synopsis:
Once again, this novel's wow-factor leaves you wanting more. I understand this was Ms. Benton's first novel. To pen such an amazing book for her first offering is impressive. Many an author I've read with multiple books have never, in my estimation, reached her level of talent.
So excited to read the next of the three books I recently received.
October 19, 2021
What an epic story of longing, healing, and identity! Lori Benton remains a favorite author of lush historical fiction set on America's tumultuous frontier. The threads of romance in this one had me enamored with the gentleness of the hero and his recognition of the strength and personality of the heroine. I am so glad I went back and (finally) picked up this debut novel!
August 4, 2013
Burning Sky by Lori Benton is one of those riveting novels that make you regret the need for sleep. Each chapter begged me to proceed to the next and, when the final page was viewed, I reluctantly closed the book, wishing the story would continue on
This is the tale of Willa Obenchain. After twelve years of captivity with the Mohawk tribe, the young, grieving woman can barely say her own name. Her ability to speak her native English is as much a struggle as sorting through her sense of who she is. Is she still the white frontier-settler Willa or has she transformed into the woman dubbed Burning Sky by her Indian captors?
Her self-identity is further complicated by three men: a neighbor from her distant past, the Indian warrior from her adopted clan, and the stranger whose faith appears far stronger than his ability to survive the wilderness.
Willa is also faced with returning to an empty cabin that was once her home, now destined for auction because her parents were dubbed loyal to the British cause in the recently won American Revolution. How can she defend their honor when she doesn’t know where their loyalties truly were, or even worse, where her parents are?
Although these challenges threaten her sense of peace and trust in the God Who spared her life, the greatest battle for the stalwart Willa is recovering from a deeply, painful loss. Her seemingly-solid faith is in danger of succumbing to despair.
It is not surprising that author Benton is an artist, as her palette of words paints vivid descriptions of the frontier wilderness with both its beauty and harshness. But it’s the characters who are the true masterpieces. They are skillfully wrought through rich dialogue that is both credible and compelling. Benton has a depth of understanding about human nature that brings her cast of characters to an outstanding level of believability.
The history of America after the Revolution comes alive in these pages in a way that no textbook could ever teach. It is a tender yet realistic story that captures your heart and begs for a sequel.
— Elaine Marie Cooper, author of Fields of the Fatherless (Oct 2013) and The Legacy of Deer Run
This is the tale of Willa Obenchain. After twelve years of captivity with the Mohawk tribe, the young, grieving woman can barely say her own name. Her ability to speak her native English is as much a struggle as sorting through her sense of who she is. Is she still the white frontier-settler Willa or has she transformed into the woman dubbed Burning Sky by her Indian captors?
Her self-identity is further complicated by three men: a neighbor from her distant past, the Indian warrior from her adopted clan, and the stranger whose faith appears far stronger than his ability to survive the wilderness.
Willa is also faced with returning to an empty cabin that was once her home, now destined for auction because her parents were dubbed loyal to the British cause in the recently won American Revolution. How can she defend their honor when she doesn’t know where their loyalties truly were, or even worse, where her parents are?
Although these challenges threaten her sense of peace and trust in the God Who spared her life, the greatest battle for the stalwart Willa is recovering from a deeply, painful loss. Her seemingly-solid faith is in danger of succumbing to despair.
It is not surprising that author Benton is an artist, as her palette of words paints vivid descriptions of the frontier wilderness with both its beauty and harshness. But it’s the characters who are the true masterpieces. They are skillfully wrought through rich dialogue that is both credible and compelling. Benton has a depth of understanding about human nature that brings her cast of characters to an outstanding level of believability.
The history of America after the Revolution comes alive in these pages in a way that no textbook could ever teach. It is a tender yet realistic story that captures your heart and begs for a sequel.
— Elaine Marie Cooper, author of Fields of the Fatherless (Oct 2013) and The Legacy of Deer Run
July 25, 2013
Fans of Laura Frantz will find a beloved new favorite in the pages of “Burning Sky”, a novel due to hit shelves in August, 2013.
Very reminiscent with strong themes of strength, courage and determination, Willa is a young woman trapped by her past and yearning to be set free, but unsure how to allow herself to move forward. The love triangle in the story plays strongly to this effect and made for much tension both romantic and otherwise.
What I enjoyed most about the story was the heart of our heroes. Yes, I did refer to them in the plural and I feel as though I could have equally cheered (and did) for both. The details truly are within the story, one I feel historical fiction lovers will find great pleasure in exploring.
I did find the book a bit too long. I feel in many places the story could have been tightened and shortened as after a while I skimmed toward the dialogue. However, that is not to say that the lyrical quality of the story was good. An 18th century novel is no small piece of fiction by any standards and I have great respect for the obvious research that went into the story.
Overall, a good historical read with plenty of emotional investment for the reader.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the Amazon Vine program for my copy to review.
Very reminiscent with strong themes of strength, courage and determination, Willa is a young woman trapped by her past and yearning to be set free, but unsure how to allow herself to move forward. The love triangle in the story plays strongly to this effect and made for much tension both romantic and otherwise.
What I enjoyed most about the story was the heart of our heroes. Yes, I did refer to them in the plural and I feel as though I could have equally cheered (and did) for both. The details truly are within the story, one I feel historical fiction lovers will find great pleasure in exploring.
I did find the book a bit too long. I feel in many places the story could have been tightened and shortened as after a while I skimmed toward the dialogue. However, that is not to say that the lyrical quality of the story was good. An 18th century novel is no small piece of fiction by any standards and I have great respect for the obvious research that went into the story.
Overall, a good historical read with plenty of emotional investment for the reader.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the Amazon Vine program for my copy to review.
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