Harriet's Escape Harriet Tubman Reimagined

Seizing Freedom #1

by N.D. Jones

Home is where the heart is, but freedom without family requires a rescue plan.

Before she becomes Harriet, the legendary "conductor" on the Underground Railroad and the "Moses of her people," she is little Araminta "Minty" Wren, a flightless Sankofa bird shifter.

She is born under the brutal lash of enslavement, her first breaths of life owned by her mother's Dragonkin master. Growing up, Minty feels like a neglected weed, ignorant of liberty, neither happy nor content. Slavery is the next thing to Hell.

Yet, hope flickers like a tiny flame within Minty's heart. She knows freedom will be hers one day. However, seizing freedom for herself is not as sweet without her loved ones to share it with.

Armed with her wits and courage, Minty embarks on daring missions to rescue her beloved Birdfolk family from the claws of slavery. The odds are stacked against her ss the shadows of slave catchers lurk in every corner.

Will she manage to save her family and lead them to freedom, or will her attempts at liberation be cut short?

In this alternative fantasy history, an African American historical figure is reimagined, and resistance against oppression is a deadly endeavor. Minty's transformation into Harriet, a legendary hero, is not just a change of name but a fierce battle for freedom, echoing the timeless resilience of those who seek liberation.Harriet's Escape is the first book in the "Seizing Freedom" Black historical fantasy fiction trilogy.

Harriet's Escape includes a special appendix with bonus images and book club questions.

Genres: Fantasy

428 pages, Hardcover

Published June 13, 2024

About the author

N.D. Jones, Ed.D., is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of fantasy, speculative fiction, paranormal romance, and historical fantasy. She lives in Maryland with her family, where she creates emotionally resonant, character-driven stories rooted in imagination, depth, and heart.

She has written more than a dozen books across multiple series, including Winged Warriors, Death and Destiny, Dragon Shifter Romance, Feline Nation, Fairy Tale Fatale, and the contemporary romance trilogy The Styles of Love. Her historical fantasy novel Harriet’s Escape won the 2024 BookLife Prize Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Category.

A lifelong educator, N.D. brings a deep understanding of emotional development and identity to her storytelling. She is currently expanding into middle-grade fantasy with a new series that carries her signature blend of heart, humor, adventure, and emotional truth to younger readers.

Whether writing for adults or children, N.D. creates stories that explore courage, connection, legacy, and the power of imagination. She calls her work Novels with Soul — fantasy that resonates long after the final page.

Reviews

[Keri M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so creative!!! Reading such an iconic story about Harriet Tubman, but completely reimagined was such a journey!!! I could vividly imagine the birdfolk and their beautiful colors. The hardships that Harriet’s family had to endure are described so well, your heart breaks for them! To follow such a phenomenal heroine, there is no way not to be inspired! Go check this amazing story out!!

[Maxine · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I loved this book. I think what made it so impactful is that this is a historic fantasy retelling of Harriet Tubman and while of course it's not a play by play of her life I know parts were filled in with stories of other's experiences during that time. So, for me it added an extra layer to it that at some moments had me sitting back to absorb and think as well as times cry. I literally had to move my book at one point so my tears wouldn't fall on the pages. I think ND Jones has a writing style that was able to blend history into a beautiful fantasy world that any fantasy lover would enjoy.

The world building was just enough without being overwhelming and the characters were all wonderful and complex. The complexity comes from the impossible choices people were forced into and when they had no other choices and sometimes it meant leaving what they knew even if it was a horrible situation because it meant staying being with the ones they love. And to then venture out into the unknown just for a chance of freedom even if it meant they might never see the ones they love again.

This is the first time I have read a book by ND Jones, and I can tell you all I want to do is read her whole catalog of books and as I understand it this book is part of a trilogy where there will be 2 more historical fictions. I can tell you now I will be downloading them instantly.

This book is about Araminta "Minty" Wren and her story before she becomes Harriet the conductor of the underground railroad. As a flightless Sankofa bird shifter she was born into slavery under her Dragonkin master trying to survive as best as she can with her family by her side being her only real source of happiness. Ignorant to of concept of Liberty and Freedom hope is still within Minty to one day fly and soar into freedom.

Even with the odds stacked against her and slave catchers out to grab any runaway slave they can get their hands on Minty sets out to free her family and other Birdfolk willing to take the risk for freedom. Because in the end Home is where the heart is, but freedom without family requires a rescue plan.

I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really, really creative re-telling of Harriet Tubman's life. This novel focuses more on Harriet's childhood and what events led to her becoming an underground railroad conductor. Before reading this, I didn't know much about Harriet's life, only what I remembered from school (which was embarrassingly little).
I love the mixing of various shifters and other mythological creatures. I think the blend of fantasy and known history was done expertly. For people who enjoy historical fiction and fantasy novels, this story is for you.

[Courtney Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely captivated me from beginning to end. The writing, story, characters, reimagining of Harriet’s story was absolutely mesmerizing and so well done. This is a story that everyone should be aware of and the fantastical elements just add another layer to an already incredibly heart breaking story.

[TL P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a profound retelling of Harriet Tubman's story, portrayed in eloquent prose that captures the soul. The storytelling is unmatched as we follow Minty's childhood, recast as a beautiful Sankofa bird shifter. Forced into slavery by the Dragonkin, we witness a powerful journey of love and freedom. N. D. Jones' creativity dances along the underground railroad, evoking admiration. We witness Minty rise to become a savior to the Birdfolk. The book is heart-wrenching and inspirational.

It's not easy to take an important historical figure and portray their story in an enchanting fantasy setting. N. D. Jones did an amazing job! I highly recommend it.

[K.C. Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really into this --- there are some places where we jump through time a bit, and I was surprised that the story stops before the Civil War, since actual Harriet Tubman played such a significant role in the war. This story really focuses on Minty/Harriet Wren and her family.

I wasn't initially sure how I'd feel about a fantasy version of Tubman's life, or a magical AU of chattel slavery, but I think Jones made a lot of good choices when it came to her worldbuidling and characterization. The way she conveyed this story wasn't as immediate and personal as I'd usually want from fiction, but I don't think first person, for example, would have worked well here. The writing was a bit more epic and left more to the reader in a way that I really appreciated. I would be so interested to see how Jones would handle Tubman's later life, but if there does end up being a series, I wonder if we'll see more of that. (She did say that the series wouldn't follow Tubman, but that each book would focus on a different figure.)

My only real complaint was the heavy use of visual AI components in the book design and sample art. I'd rather have left things to my imagination, given my utter hatred of AI and its implications when it comes to creativity.

[Evie Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! This book tells the story of Harriet Tubman in a fantasy setting. It is darkly beautiful. The writing is fantastic, and I felt like I was in the story. I was deeply uncomfortable reading, because even though it was "fantasy" and an "Reimagining" it was still based on things that ACTUALLY happened. You cant help but feel when you read this book. The horrors of Slavery are still going on today, it's just called something else. I encourage everyone to read this book, then look around at what's going on today.

[Roslyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Jones has written another amazing story concerning Harriet Tubman and her life in slavery as a beautiful Sankofa bird shifter named Minty. You will be drawn into this parallel universe of slavery and feel the pain and suffering that her family goes through at the hands of the evil Dragonkin. Minty grows up thinking of ways to free herself and her family. This is a very thought-provoking story.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing story captivates, and have you all caught up in the narrative of Harriet Tubman, "Minty" as she embarks on saving her birdfolk. It is an excellent retake on the life of Harriet as a freedom fighter and conductor and the quests she took as an underground conductor to get her people to freedom.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melton Clay McKinney]

I never received the email nor any notification that I won this book.

[Tisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a unique way to sort of tell the story of Harriet Tubman. It takes place in a society of Dragon-type, bird-type and harpy-type people.

[Kay J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Kept my attention. Characters were written nicely. Enjoyed it.