Raise the Wind

by Sarah Shaw

The stories your history books don’t tell...

1772: A financial crisis of volcanic proportions rocks the world and the resultant tidal waves ravage coasts from India to America. The first ‘too big to fail’ corporation gets an enormous bailout, while smaller companies collapse and banks fail. Famine in Bengal, forced land concessions by native tribes in America and a revolution that will change the world are left in its wake.

Politically, people struggle for freedom and justice against the stranglehold of entrenched wealth and power: new knowledge and inventions are taking hold at a breathtaking pace, upsetting the old order even as new notions of equality and human rights seize the public conscience.

In this world turned upside down young bride Emily McFarland finds herself far from home and safety, living on disputed land in Colonial Georgia while Zoeth Sinclair struggles to keep his fledgling merchant trading company afloat.

The odds are formidable and the stakes are high - for them and even more for their close-knit band of friends. But there is no direction to go but forward, knowing that the changes coming will leave none of them unscathed.

351 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2023

Reviews

[Greg Atlas · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Raise the Wind" by Sarah Shaw is a disappointing example of historical fiction that falls flat on multiple fronts. The vague promise of unveiling untold stories from 1772 appears to be nothing more than a marketing gimmick, leaving readers with the impression that the author prioritized sales over delivering a genuinely fresh perspective on history.

One glaring issue is the author's inexplicable decision to incorporate modern economic terms into an 18th-century narrative. This not only raises questions about the author's dedication to historical authenticity but also comes across as a cheap ploy to pander to a contemporary audience. Such a compromise undermines the integrity of the time period and reflects a lack of commitment to providing an immersive historical experience.

The characters, Emily McFarland and Zoeth Sinclair, are sadly forgettable, lacking any distinguishing features that would make them compelling or memorable. The lack of depth in their descriptions points to a failure in character development, leaving readers with little reason to invest emotionally in their predictable narratives. The absence of complexity further contributes to the overall blandness of the characters.

Furthermore, the attempt to interweave personal stories with broader historical events lacks substance. The narrative fails to convincingly illustrate how these characters navigate the significant events of their time in a way that sets them apart from the multitude of historical fiction protagonists. The summary lacks the specificity and nuance necessary to convince readers that "Raise the Wind" offers anything more than just another forgettable tale set in the past.

In essence, "Raise the Wind" lacks the essential elements required for an engaging historical fiction novel. The absence of meticulous research, meaningful character development, and a compelling storytelling approach relegates it to the realm of uninspired historical narratives that struggle to make a lasting impression on readers.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story about the backwoods of Georgia in the 1700's along with the glittering life in England and France during the same time period. Emily is a strong female character who ends up making her way in the world along with the help of some very interesting friends. The only downfall for me with the story was there were way too many characters for me to keep track of and because of the large number, many were not developed as well as they could have been.

I received an advanced copy from The Niche Reader. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and well-researched historical novel about a young, sheltered English woman who marries a man she barely knows and accompanies him across the Atlantic and to the Georgia backwoods during the American Colonial period. Along the way, her morals and preconceptions are challenged and she finds friendship and support in unlikely places.

I read an earlier draft of this book; this is an independent review.

[R.L. Terrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great read for anyone interested in a unique slice of American and European history from a women's perspective. Sure to be banned in several U.S. States.

Considering the recent “Barbie” phenomenon, I think a wide range of readers will enjoy this historical novel with bold female characters and beautifully written gay and transgender characters that will surprise you. A rich and vivid story that will delight and entertain you.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like reading books that not only entertain you but also teaches you and from where you can learn, this book does that, a lot of the history on this book was unknown to me and that made reading this book so interesting.
Along with the extensive historical research that shoes in the pages of the book, the well written narrative, and the character development, this book grabbed me from beginning to end.

[Pyke Kubic · Rating 1 out of 5]

Garbage book. What was the author thinking?