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Renegades of the American Revolution #4
The Dutch Girl
The acclaimed author of Mistress Firebrand and The Turncoat continues “her own revolution in American historical romance”* with another smart, sexy, swashbuckling novel set during the American Revolution.
Manhattan and the Hudson River Valley, 1778. The British control Manhattan, the Rebels hold West Point, and the Dutch patroons reign in feudal splendor over their vast Hudson River Valley estates. But the roads are ruled by highwaymen. Gerrit Van Haren, the dispossessed heir of Harenwyck, is determined to reclaim his inheritance from his decadent brother, Andries, even if that means turning outlaw and joining forces with the invading British. Until, that is, he waylays the carriage of beautiful young finishing school teacher Anna Winters…
Anna is a committed Rebel with a secret past and a dangerous mission to secure the Hudson Highlands for the Americans. Years ago, she was Annatje, the daughter of a tenant farmer who led an uprising against the corrupt landlords and paid with his life. Since then, Anna has vowed to see the patroon system swept aside along with British rule. But at Harenwyck she discovers that politics and virtue do not always align as she expects…and she must choose between two men with a shared past and conflicting visions of the future.
Manhattan and the Hudson River Valley, 1778. The British control Manhattan, the Rebels hold West Point, and the Dutch patroons reign in feudal splendor over their vast Hudson River Valley estates. But the roads are ruled by highwaymen. Gerrit Van Haren, the dispossessed heir of Harenwyck, is determined to reclaim his inheritance from his decadent brother, Andries, even if that means turning outlaw and joining forces with the invading British. Until, that is, he waylays the carriage of beautiful young finishing school teacher Anna Winters…
Anna is a committed Rebel with a secret past and a dangerous mission to secure the Hudson Highlands for the Americans. Years ago, she was Annatje, the daughter of a tenant farmer who led an uprising against the corrupt landlords and paid with his life. Since then, Anna has vowed to see the patroon system swept aside along with British rule. But at Harenwyck she discovers that politics and virtue do not always align as she expects…and she must choose between two men with a shared past and conflicting visions of the future.
416 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2016
19 people are currently reading
1989 people want to read
About the author
Donna Thorland
11 books270 followersA native of Bergenfield, New Jersey, Donna graduated from Yale with a degree in Classics and Art History. For a number of years she managed architecture and interpretation at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA, and wrote and directed the Witch City’s most popular Halloween theater festival, Eerie Events. She later earned an MFA in film production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
The director of several award-winning short films, including The Night Caller, which aired on PBS and was featured on Ain’t It Cool News, Donna has been a sorority house mother, a Disney/ABC Television Writing Fellow, and a WGA Writer’s Access Project Honoree. Her television credits include the Disney XD animated series, Tron: Uprising; WGN’s Salem; and Hallmark’s, The Good Witch. Currently she is a producer on Netflix’s popular ongoing series, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Donna is also the author of four highly acclaimed historical novels from Penguin New American Library (The Turncoat, The Rebel Pirate, Mistress Firebrand, and The Dutch Girl) and four bestselling urban fantasy novels from Pocket Star (Cold Iron, Silver Skin, Stone Song, and Blade Dance), writing as DL McDermott. Her short fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and Albedo One. Donna is married with two cats and divides her time between Salem— where she remains active in historic preservation and serves on the board of Hamilton Hall — and Los Angeles.
The director of several award-winning short films, including The Night Caller, which aired on PBS and was featured on Ain’t It Cool News, Donna has been a sorority house mother, a Disney/ABC Television Writing Fellow, and a WGA Writer’s Access Project Honoree. Her television credits include the Disney XD animated series, Tron: Uprising; WGN’s Salem; and Hallmark’s, The Good Witch. Currently she is a producer on Netflix’s popular ongoing series, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Donna is also the author of four highly acclaimed historical novels from Penguin New American Library (The Turncoat, The Rebel Pirate, Mistress Firebrand, and The Dutch Girl) and four bestselling urban fantasy novels from Pocket Star (Cold Iron, Silver Skin, Stone Song, and Blade Dance), writing as DL McDermott. Her short fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and Albedo One. Donna is married with two cats and divides her time between Salem— where she remains active in historic preservation and serves on the board of Hamilton Hall — and Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
March 8, 2017
4.5 stars
"You mean you will let us have novels?" asked the taller one, who must be Jannetje.
"As long as you do your other reading and advance in all of your subjects, I see no reason that you should not read novels."
"Reverend Blauvelt says they give women ideas."
"Well, someone has to," said Anna.
What a story. This is more historical fiction with romance than vice versa but the intermingling of fact, real historical figures/events, and romance was amazing (I do think this was heavier on romance than the previous in series). I can see a few getting bogged down in the middle with our heroine's journey turning more toward the issues of the time, British and Americans fighting for land, but my history loving heart was all in.
The story reads a bit like a crescendo, with the last 30% providing us with answers and action that the first 70% hinted at and built towards (a bit rushed of an ending). This is part of a series but you could still start here and be fine. The connecting thread is an American woman spy nicknamed The Widow who helps Anna when she is younger and is the impetus for the journey she makes. There is also a character named Kate Grey who was featured before and makes a smallish but important appearance.
The romance between Anna and Gerrit is not the focus, like I said, but when they show up together on the pages, they spark. When we first see them together their conversation and back and forth had my toes curling, not so much because of sexual reasons but from two people attracted to each other whose intelligence, wit, and teasing caused heat. They knew each other as children, so we get them falling in love through some reminiscing and I did miss more of their romance aspect in their present. I thought the one night we got of them together could have been lengthened and emboldened more but I'm greedy like that.
This is more Anna's story than Anna and Gerrit's or the birth of America but it worked well in this capacity. The details are immaculate in this without feeling unnecessary or weighed down in minutiae; the author provides an amazing feel for the time period. The secondary characters have depth and breadth that kept them from being strictly villains or heroes.
I felt this was a little different from the others in the series in that working for the cause on the American patriots’ side wasn't the focus. You'll learn about Dutch culture and since Anna doesn't so much as have a horse in the race as she is just trying to survive, you'll get how average citizens were affected by the war. There was some great feminist thinking from Anna, which even two hundred years later still begs to be discussed, that had me wanting to quote a lot from this book.
I think this story ended in 1778 and I fervently hope the author keeps writing up to 1783 and then 1812 and then, well I hope she keeps writing historical romances until the end of time. If you like this time period and want a little romance in your historical fiction, this series is a must read.
"You mean you will let us have novels?" asked the taller one, who must be Jannetje.
"As long as you do your other reading and advance in all of your subjects, I see no reason that you should not read novels."
"Reverend Blauvelt says they give women ideas."
"Well, someone has to," said Anna.
What a story. This is more historical fiction with romance than vice versa but the intermingling of fact, real historical figures/events, and romance was amazing (I do think this was heavier on romance than the previous in series). I can see a few getting bogged down in the middle with our heroine's journey turning more toward the issues of the time, British and Americans fighting for land, but my history loving heart was all in.
The story reads a bit like a crescendo, with the last 30% providing us with answers and action that the first 70% hinted at and built towards (a bit rushed of an ending). This is part of a series but you could still start here and be fine. The connecting thread is an American woman spy nicknamed The Widow who helps Anna when she is younger and is the impetus for the journey she makes. There is also a character named Kate Grey who was featured before and makes a smallish but important appearance.
The romance between Anna and Gerrit is not the focus, like I said, but when they show up together on the pages, they spark. When we first see them together their conversation and back and forth had my toes curling, not so much because of sexual reasons but from two people attracted to each other whose intelligence, wit, and teasing caused heat. They knew each other as children, so we get them falling in love through some reminiscing and I did miss more of their romance aspect in their present. I thought the one night we got of them together could have been lengthened and emboldened more but I'm greedy like that.
This is more Anna's story than Anna and Gerrit's or the birth of America but it worked well in this capacity. The details are immaculate in this without feeling unnecessary or weighed down in minutiae; the author provides an amazing feel for the time period. The secondary characters have depth and breadth that kept them from being strictly villains or heroes.
I felt this was a little different from the others in the series in that working for the cause on the American patriots’ side wasn't the focus. You'll learn about Dutch culture and since Anna doesn't so much as have a horse in the race as she is just trying to survive, you'll get how average citizens were affected by the war. There was some great feminist thinking from Anna, which even two hundred years later still begs to be discussed, that had me wanting to quote a lot from this book.
I think this story ended in 1778 and I fervently hope the author keeps writing up to 1783 and then 1812 and then, well I hope she keeps writing historical romances until the end of time. If you like this time period and want a little romance in your historical fiction, this series is a must read.
February 14, 2016
The year is 1778. Do you know where your Dutch American history is? Of course, you know. Its right here in this book.
There will also be talk about layers and cake, war, and Eddie Redmayne in a cravat because its me.
Let me start by saying, Donna Thorland's books are always a terrific romp, be it through petticoats, continents, or history....usually all of the above.
Anyone who has been reading my reviews for more than a week will tell you my love for Donna Thorland's writing is fangirl legit. Ms. Thorland leads the reader through what is clearly the product of meticulous research on the author's part, disguised as masterful storytelling and her deep love of American history. (Following her on Facebook is this genealogist's dream).
Ms. Thorland's books make me think of Dorothy Dunnett or Diana Gabaldon with a dash of Julie Ann Long, Susanna Kearsley, or Lauren Willig. If you enjoy any of these authors, I highly recommend Ms. Thorland's writing.
Brothers struggling for rights, to keep...to share...to sell... land ownership was an interesting layer to this story. Add a spy to influence the sale. Throw in colonists and their role in politics in the formative years of our nation's history. This was new territory for me. I was so engrossed, especially in an Austen-esque walk through societal class, propery ownership, and patroonships. Miltary vantage is of utmost importance in any war and land and position become bargaining chips. I loved the layers to this story. Add a family feud and pretty soon youre looking at a layer on layer of story in a full-blown layer cake with diabetes frosting, non-stop reading binges, and red, white, and blue patriotic sprinkles.
I make really bad analogies when Im hungry or just hungry for cake.
Bottom line, if you love American history, Dutch or otherwise, with a dash of war, love, and intrigue and can imagine Eddie Redmayne in a cravat? (I can sooo see this) The book will be a new favorite. Its certainly one of mine.
Many thanks to the talented Donna Thorland, NetGalley, and NAL for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.
There will also be talk about layers and cake, war, and Eddie Redmayne in a cravat because its me.
Let me start by saying, Donna Thorland's books are always a terrific romp, be it through petticoats, continents, or history....usually all of the above.
Anyone who has been reading my reviews for more than a week will tell you my love for Donna Thorland's writing is fangirl legit. Ms. Thorland leads the reader through what is clearly the product of meticulous research on the author's part, disguised as masterful storytelling and her deep love of American history. (Following her on Facebook is this genealogist's dream).
Ms. Thorland's books make me think of Dorothy Dunnett or Diana Gabaldon with a dash of Julie Ann Long, Susanna Kearsley, or Lauren Willig. If you enjoy any of these authors, I highly recommend Ms. Thorland's writing.
Brothers struggling for rights, to keep...to share...to sell... land ownership was an interesting layer to this story. Add a spy to influence the sale. Throw in colonists and their role in politics in the formative years of our nation's history. This was new territory for me. I was so engrossed, especially in an Austen-esque walk through societal class, propery ownership, and patroonships. Miltary vantage is of utmost importance in any war and land and position become bargaining chips. I loved the layers to this story. Add a family feud and pretty soon youre looking at a layer on layer of story in a full-blown layer cake with diabetes frosting, non-stop reading binges, and red, white, and blue patriotic sprinkles.
I make really bad analogies when Im hungry or just hungry for cake.
Bottom line, if you love American history, Dutch or otherwise, with a dash of war, love, and intrigue and can imagine Eddie Redmayne in a cravat? (I can sooo see this) The book will be a new favorite. Its certainly one of mine.
Many thanks to the talented Donna Thorland, NetGalley, and NAL for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2017
Advanced review copy from publisher via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
Donna Thorland just keeps getting better and better. While each of her novels involves new main characters and can be read independently, there are some common elements which link them all, and this one takes place soon after Turncoat ended. Kate Grey, the protagonist of Turncoat, has a minor role in The Dutch Girl as she takes up the Widow's work and recruits the reluctant Anna Winters into her network of spies.
One of the main themes of Thorland's stories which has always prevented me from giving them five stars, is the "love at first sight" element. The instant attraction I can understand, but the instant love was hard to get on board with. The Dutch Girl finally makes a change from this as the two main characters share a history, but society's class-ism and subsequent events kept them apart. Now, political events and Anna's role as a spy for the Rebels within the Dutch community will divide them.
Thorland's novels are so much fun, because there's always so much going on in them. It's hard to go wrong with clever characters, witty dialogue, and a multi-dimensional plot. One of the things I love about them is that Thorland always picks a different setting for each book. I don't just mean geographical locations, but also the cultural setting. Philadelphia Quakers, Boston pirates, Manhattan theater and Native Americans, and now, Dutch New York. You can be sure that the historical setting does not get neglected in the fast-paced story line. Whatever setting she goes with next, I can't wait to read it.
Historical Readings and Reviews
Donna Thorland just keeps getting better and better. While each of her novels involves new main characters and can be read independently, there are some common elements which link them all, and this one takes place soon after Turncoat ended. Kate Grey, the protagonist of Turncoat, has a minor role in The Dutch Girl as she takes up the Widow's work and recruits the reluctant Anna Winters into her network of spies.
One of the main themes of Thorland's stories which has always prevented me from giving them five stars, is the "love at first sight" element. The instant attraction I can understand, but the instant love was hard to get on board with. The Dutch Girl finally makes a change from this as the two main characters share a history, but society's class-ism and subsequent events kept them apart. Now, political events and Anna's role as a spy for the Rebels within the Dutch community will divide them.
Thorland's novels are so much fun, because there's always so much going on in them. It's hard to go wrong with clever characters, witty dialogue, and a multi-dimensional plot. One of the things I love about them is that Thorland always picks a different setting for each book. I don't just mean geographical locations, but also the cultural setting. Philadelphia Quakers, Boston pirates, Manhattan theater and Native Americans, and now, Dutch New York. You can be sure that the historical setting does not get neglected in the fast-paced story line. Whatever setting she goes with next, I can't wait to read it.
Historical Readings and Reviews
December 31, 2016
The Dutch Girl is another interesting historical fiction story by Donna Thorland with a twist of romance.
The story is set during the American Revolution where some Dutch land holders possessed large tracks of land along the Hudson River. These large estates prospered on the backs of poor tenants who work the land. This set up was very similar to feudal land system in Europe. The land holdings along the Hudson had strategic significance to both British and Revolutionary military. Plus a good amount of discussion of the pro's and con's of tenant versus individual land management layered into the context of the story.
Anna and Gerrit are childhood sweethearts but Anna is the daughter of a tenant farmer. Gerrit is the eldest son of the "patroon" the lord of the estate. They're love is a forbidden love. They meet again as adults. Is the old spark between them still there?
The characters are well developed and intriguing in a chaotic time. The story has a bit of flavor of the TV show, Washington's Spies where the spy master John Andre is a character in the story.
This is an immensely entertaining story that is very well written.
The story is set during the American Revolution where some Dutch land holders possessed large tracks of land along the Hudson River. These large estates prospered on the backs of poor tenants who work the land. This set up was very similar to feudal land system in Europe. The land holdings along the Hudson had strategic significance to both British and Revolutionary military. Plus a good amount of discussion of the pro's and con's of tenant versus individual land management layered into the context of the story.
Anna and Gerrit are childhood sweethearts but Anna is the daughter of a tenant farmer. Gerrit is the eldest son of the "patroon" the lord of the estate. They're love is a forbidden love. They meet again as adults. Is the old spark between them still there?
The characters are well developed and intriguing in a chaotic time. The story has a bit of flavor of the TV show, Washington's Spies where the spy master John Andre is a character in the story.
This is an immensely entertaining story that is very well written.
September 7, 2018
(3.5 stars) Once upon a time (1778 to be exact) there was a woman named Anna Winters. Anna ran a finishing school in New York for the daughters of the local wealthy families, teaching them everything the well-informed young female needed to know.
The problem is that Anna Winters isn't really Anna Winters. She has a past as the daughter of a Dutch tenant farmer who was killed while attempting rebellion against his Dutch patroon, the rich landowner controlling his tenants, keeping himself rich and them just surviving.
At 16 Anna was forced to run for her life and was rescued by the Widow, Thorland's recurring character, enigmatic and mysterious Rebel spy of this Renegades of the American Revolution. Given a new life and new identity, kind of like being in the Witness Protection Program, Anna has been living a relatively serene existence as schoolmistress. But, as this story begins, all that is going to change.
She's forced by circumstances and a visit from a familiar figure from Thorland's perhaps most popular book of the series, THE TURNCOAT, to do her little part for the Rebels by returning to the very place she had fled so many years ago.
She's "undercover", of course, pretending not to speak or understand Dutch, not to be who she used to be, but there are many people from her past there. Will her real identity be revealed? Will she be able to achieve the goal she was sent for? And what to do about her childhood love, Gerrit, dispossessed son of the old patroon, who is now a highwayman? Will he recognize her?
In theory, this sounds like a very interesting story. In practice, I was underwhelmed. Nothing much ever happens and any slight happenings that occur weren't because of the intentions and actions of the main characters. They didn't really make things happen. Things just happened to them. And throughout, there is a lot of ambivalence of characters and their allegiances.
This is, of the four books in Thorland's series, the least entertaining to me. My favorite is MISTRESS FIREBRAND, which has nonstop action and adventure and a good romance, followed by THE TURNCOAT. THE REBEL PIRATE was okay, but this one, THE DUTCH GIRL, is pretty meh. Even the romance was mostly an uneventful resuming of the relationship the H and h had had more than a decade ago.
What I enjoyed the most about this was the information about the early Dutch settlements and the patroon system. Great historical details. Also, the word-lover in me enjoyed seeing some Dutch words interspersed throughout and their obvious relationship to some American English ones. "Cookies", for example, from Dutch "koekje" being the reason we left behind the word "biscuits" preferred by the Brits.
So from an educational and intellectual perspective, this is a good book.
The problem is that Anna Winters isn't really Anna Winters. She has a past as the daughter of a Dutch tenant farmer who was killed while attempting rebellion against his Dutch patroon, the rich landowner controlling his tenants, keeping himself rich and them just surviving.
At 16 Anna was forced to run for her life and was rescued by the Widow, Thorland's recurring character, enigmatic and mysterious Rebel spy of this Renegades of the American Revolution. Given a new life and new identity, kind of like being in the Witness Protection Program, Anna has been living a relatively serene existence as schoolmistress. But, as this story begins, all that is going to change.
She's forced by circumstances and a visit from a familiar figure from Thorland's perhaps most popular book of the series, THE TURNCOAT, to do her little part for the Rebels by returning to the very place she had fled so many years ago.
She's "undercover", of course, pretending not to speak or understand Dutch, not to be who she used to be, but there are many people from her past there. Will her real identity be revealed? Will she be able to achieve the goal she was sent for? And what to do about her childhood love, Gerrit, dispossessed son of the old patroon, who is now a highwayman? Will he recognize her?
In theory, this sounds like a very interesting story. In practice, I was underwhelmed. Nothing much ever happens and any slight happenings that occur weren't because of the intentions and actions of the main characters. They didn't really make things happen. Things just happened to them. And throughout, there is a lot of ambivalence of characters and their allegiances.
This is, of the four books in Thorland's series, the least entertaining to me. My favorite is MISTRESS FIREBRAND, which has nonstop action and adventure and a good romance, followed by THE TURNCOAT. THE REBEL PIRATE was okay, but this one, THE DUTCH GIRL, is pretty meh. Even the romance was mostly an uneventful resuming of the relationship the H and h had had more than a decade ago.
What I enjoyed the most about this was the information about the early Dutch settlements and the patroon system. Great historical details. Also, the word-lover in me enjoyed seeing some Dutch words interspersed throughout and their obvious relationship to some American English ones. "Cookies", for example, from Dutch "koekje" being the reason we left behind the word "biscuits" preferred by the Brits.
So from an educational and intellectual perspective, this is a good book.
March 14, 2016
Another outstanding historical fiction romance from Donna Thorland! As I've come to expect, there is a strong mystery plot coupled with a sexy romance. And an attention to detail that left me wanting more. I knew nothing about the Dutch history of New York before I read this, and now I'm fascinated by it. It's a little-discussed corner of American Revolutionary history and I was pleased to learn something new about a subject I thought I knew well. As a romance reader, I loved the reunited lovers plot, and thought both Anna and Gerrit were well-developed, intriguing characters. I wish there were room for another book about his brother, but that's just the series lover in me.
January 15, 2016
Thank-you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for my advanced reading copy of this novel.
This was an interesting novel set in the context of the American Revolutionary War. Whilst this is not the focal point of the novel it does provide the backdrop to the protagonist's, Anna's, story.
Anna was a well-written and developed character. Daughter of a tenant farmer on a Dutch settlement along the Hudson River, she hides behind the façade that she has created for herself: that of an English-speaking finishing-school teacher in New York. She is careful to conceal the fact that she used to be Dutch-speaking Annatje and we believe her to be a fugitive in hiding. As the story progresses we slowly find out more about Anna's past and how it is that she came to be the well-established headmistress of Winter's Academy.
Unfortunately I became disappointed with the novel about three-quarters of the way through. After the set up was so brilliant and the intrigue surrounding Anna's past so heightened, the last quarter of the story was incredibly rushed and therefore the climax was lost. All of the answers were just given, the mystery solved, and I felt let down by such a hasty conclusion.
Nonetheless, the story went a long way to making me realize just how complex the Revolutionary War was. The paradox of the wealthy, land-owning patroons supporting the rebels and the disgruntled and poor tenant farmers supporting the British shows that the war was not as black and white as it is often portrayed as being. When the layers of political agendas and varied grievances are piled upon each other only then does the majestic sense of the war start to become clear. There were multiple factors at play, not all of them as pure or simple as one might expect (especially me, British-born and lacking in education about the subject).
Another intriguing aspect of the novel was the exploration of the American-Dutch culture. It is astonishing to me how the culture managed to be preserved even after the British gained the territory from the Dutch in 1664. The patroon system was similar to the feudal system in Europe hundreds of years before that. I had no idea that such a system was ever in place on US territory and it has sparked my interest in the subject--I will absolutely be reading more about it.
Overall I am glad to have read this novel and gained the insight that I have into the patroonships and the American-Dutch involvement in the Revolutionary War. I just wish that the novel had ended with the same promise that I showed throughout the main body of it's chapters. With a more involved conclusion this novel could have been truly superb.
This was an interesting novel set in the context of the American Revolutionary War. Whilst this is not the focal point of the novel it does provide the backdrop to the protagonist's, Anna's, story.
Anna was a well-written and developed character. Daughter of a tenant farmer on a Dutch settlement along the Hudson River, she hides behind the façade that she has created for herself: that of an English-speaking finishing-school teacher in New York. She is careful to conceal the fact that she used to be Dutch-speaking Annatje and we believe her to be a fugitive in hiding. As the story progresses we slowly find out more about Anna's past and how it is that she came to be the well-established headmistress of Winter's Academy.
Unfortunately I became disappointed with the novel about three-quarters of the way through. After the set up was so brilliant and the intrigue surrounding Anna's past so heightened, the last quarter of the story was incredibly rushed and therefore the climax was lost. All of the answers were just given, the mystery solved, and I felt let down by such a hasty conclusion.
Nonetheless, the story went a long way to making me realize just how complex the Revolutionary War was. The paradox of the wealthy, land-owning patroons supporting the rebels and the disgruntled and poor tenant farmers supporting the British shows that the war was not as black and white as it is often portrayed as being. When the layers of political agendas and varied grievances are piled upon each other only then does the majestic sense of the war start to become clear. There were multiple factors at play, not all of them as pure or simple as one might expect (especially me, British-born and lacking in education about the subject).
Another intriguing aspect of the novel was the exploration of the American-Dutch culture. It is astonishing to me how the culture managed to be preserved even after the British gained the territory from the Dutch in 1664. The patroon system was similar to the feudal system in Europe hundreds of years before that. I had no idea that such a system was ever in place on US territory and it has sparked my interest in the subject--I will absolutely be reading more about it.
Overall I am glad to have read this novel and gained the insight that I have into the patroonships and the American-Dutch involvement in the Revolutionary War. I just wish that the novel had ended with the same promise that I showed throughout the main body of it's chapters. With a more involved conclusion this novel could have been truly superb.
September 1, 2016
4.5 stars
I'm a huge fan of Donna Thorland's Renegades of the Revolution series, and this might be my favorite of them all. As with all of her books, I love that she provides so much historical context and detail on a subjects that I never even knew about -- ranging from small details like the painted tiles around Dutch fireplaces to larger issues like patroonships in the Hudson Valley and their place in the political spectrum of the Revolution. Her attention to detail is impeccable, and her ability to set the scene with evocative descriptions of the changing seasons and local traditions make you feel like you're right there with the characters as the story unfolds. The confluence of her background in scholarly research and work in scriptwriting is particularly evident here (in the best possible way).
As with all her books, the author has created another strong and fierce female protagonist in Anna Winter/Annatje Hoppe. I particularly like that, although her full back story concerning her earlier flight from Harenwyck isn't revealed until later in the story, you already know exactly who she is as a person and that she doesn't let those events define her in any way.
Much like in book 1 of the series, the author also sets up a compelling hero in Gerritt and an equally compelling foil in Andries. The division between the Van Haren brothers also serves as an interesting way of presenting the conflicting, but seemingly equally valid, views of the politics and philosophy concerning the Revolution, land ownership, and natural rights, among other issues. Both sides present compelling arguments, and both are equally attractive in their own ways. Whereas many authors might go for an easy dichotomy between good and evil, Donna Thorland embraces the very gray area and acknowledges the pros and cons of both the Colonists' and the British sides of the war.
Also exciting is getting a glimpse of certain characters from earlier books (I won't say who) -- her characters are so real, that it felt like a genuine reader-fangirl moment when this person showed up. It also goes without saying that I can't wait to find out more about the Widow's backstory as the series develops.
My only minor complaint in what is otherwise a fantastic story is that everything wraps up very quickly at the end. Rest assured you will get satisfactory resolution of the open storylines, but I wasn't quite ready for it to end.
Thank you very much to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review! Now I just have to deal with the the long wait for her next book :-)
I'm a huge fan of Donna Thorland's Renegades of the Revolution series, and this might be my favorite of them all. As with all of her books, I love that she provides so much historical context and detail on a subjects that I never even knew about -- ranging from small details like the painted tiles around Dutch fireplaces to larger issues like patroonships in the Hudson Valley and their place in the political spectrum of the Revolution. Her attention to detail is impeccable, and her ability to set the scene with evocative descriptions of the changing seasons and local traditions make you feel like you're right there with the characters as the story unfolds. The confluence of her background in scholarly research and work in scriptwriting is particularly evident here (in the best possible way).
As with all her books, the author has created another strong and fierce female protagonist in Anna Winter/Annatje Hoppe. I particularly like that, although her full back story concerning her earlier flight from Harenwyck isn't revealed until later in the story, you already know exactly who she is as a person and that she doesn't let those events define her in any way.
Much like in book 1 of the series, the author also sets up a compelling hero in Gerritt and an equally compelling foil in Andries. The division between the Van Haren brothers also serves as an interesting way of presenting the conflicting, but seemingly equally valid, views of the politics and philosophy concerning the Revolution, land ownership, and natural rights, among other issues. Both sides present compelling arguments, and both are equally attractive in their own ways. Whereas many authors might go for an easy dichotomy between good and evil, Donna Thorland embraces the very gray area and acknowledges the pros and cons of both the Colonists' and the British sides of the war.
Also exciting is getting a glimpse of certain characters from earlier books (I won't say who) -- her characters are so real, that it felt like a genuine reader-fangirl moment when this person showed up. It also goes without saying that I can't wait to find out more about the Widow's backstory as the series develops.
My only minor complaint in what is otherwise a fantastic story is that everything wraps up very quickly at the end. Rest assured you will get satisfactory resolution of the open storylines, but I wasn't quite ready for it to end.
Thank you very much to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review! Now I just have to deal with the the long wait for her next book :-)
July 12, 2016
Thanks Berkley Publishing Group and netgalley for this ARC.
This is a nostalgic, romantic, and maddening and much more. I love Donna Thorland for writing about times in America that we don't usually know about but make great historical fiction. Now I want to taste some fresh cinder and Dutch donuts!
This is a nostalgic, romantic, and maddening and much more. I love Donna Thorland for writing about times in America that we don't usually know about but make great historical fiction. Now I want to taste some fresh cinder and Dutch donuts!
February 7, 2017
With each subsequent book in this series, the politics becomes a little lighter and the focus a little brighter on the characters and romance. This is a change that in no way diminishes my enjoyment of the series, but I do finish them with the vague feeling that much action was taking place "off stage".
April 6, 2016
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
The Dutch Girl
Renegades of the American Revolution Series, Book #4
By Donna Thorland
ISBN#9780451471024
Author’s website: http://www.donnathorland.com/
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Manhattan and the Hudson River Valley, 1778. The British control Manhattan, the Rebels hold West Point, and the Dutch patroons reign in feudal splendor over their vast Hudson River Valley estates. But the roads are ruled by highwaymen. Gerrit Van Haren, the dispossessed heir of Harenwyck, is determined to reclaim his inheritance from his decadent brother, Andries, even if that means turning outlaw and joining forces with the invading British. Until, that is, he waylays the carriage of beautiful young finishing school teacher Anna Winters…
Anna is a committed Rebel with a secret past and a dangerous mission to secure the Hudson Highlands for the Americans. Years ago, she was Annatje, the daughter of a tenant farmer who led an uprising against the corrupt landlords and paid with his life. Since then, Anna has vowed to see the patroon system swept aside along with British rule. But at Harenwyck she discovers that politics and virtue do not always align as she expects…and she must choose between two men with a shared past and conflicting visions of the future.
Review:
The Dutch Girl is a captivating page turner, full of exquisite period detail, strong characters, and plenty of romance and intrigue.
I am never disappointed by Donna Thorland’s elegant writing and enchanting treatment of the American Revolutionary War. I always come away from her books having learned something. As the title implies the story centers around the Dutch settlers of early America. Heretofore, I did not know much about the Dutch settlements along the Hudson Highlands. The patroon system, much like the feudal caste systems in play in Europe, serves as a fascinating backdrop for the quest for military advantage by both the Rebels and the British.
Anna Winters has carefully reinvented herself following the death of her father, a rebellious Dutch tenant farmer, and her subsequent flight from the law. She is no longer the poor fugitive Annatje Hoppe but now passes herself off as a well-bred English gentlewoman and mistress of a finishing school for young ladies. A woman associated with Anna’s former mentor arrives at the school and blackmails her into spying for the Rebel cause. Anna soon finds herself back in her home territory of Harenwyk after a seventeen-year absence posing as the teacher to the current patroon’s nieces, tasked with securing Andries Van Haren’s support for the Rebels.
She is not prepared to come face to face with her childhood friend and love Gerrit Van Haren. Gerrit, the first born son, has been passed over in favor of his younger brother Andries. Opposed to the whole patroon system, he is embattled with Andries for the title and land ownership with hopes of divvying up the two hundred thousand acres so that the tenants may own their own land. And, he is willing to side with the British, if necessary, to accomplish this feat. Though initially able to maintain her façade, Gerrit eventually realizes Anna is his childhood love that he thought was dead. Thus begins the renewed romance and exciting tale of class, people’s natural rights, and political strategy.
I really appreciate that Anna and Gerrit’s romance is not a matter of love at first sight but rooted in a decade ago relationship between two teenagers separated by vastly different positions in society. They have a natural chemistry and sweet affection for each other, and I particularly enjoy their witty, flirtatious dialogue exchanged in the carriage after Gerrit “kidnaps” her.
Andries and Gerrit’s opposing ideals make them interesting counterpoints to each other. Thorland did an excellent job of presenting their views in a compelling manner, and I could see the pros and cons of both sides. What could have been a mere sketch of a villain, Andries is instead much more than he seems, a complicated character with secrets and wishes of his own. All of the characters, whether main or supporting, are all finely crafted and complex, truly remarkable to read about.
My only quibble is small. After such lush character building and plotting, the ending feels somewhat rushed. In addition, the espionage takes a back seat to the romance whereas in the other books in the Renegades of the American Revolution series there seems more of a balance between the passion and intrigue.
The Dutch Girl is a delightful read and entertaining, informative history lesson. I heartily recommend it to fans of independent, capable heroines faced with daring circumstances with plenty of romance and more than a dash of political stratagem.
OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
The Dutch Girl
Renegades of the American Revolution Series, Book #4
By Donna Thorland
ISBN#9780451471024
Author’s website: http://www.donnathorland.com/
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Manhattan and the Hudson River Valley, 1778. The British control Manhattan, the Rebels hold West Point, and the Dutch patroons reign in feudal splendor over their vast Hudson River Valley estates. But the roads are ruled by highwaymen. Gerrit Van Haren, the dispossessed heir of Harenwyck, is determined to reclaim his inheritance from his decadent brother, Andries, even if that means turning outlaw and joining forces with the invading British. Until, that is, he waylays the carriage of beautiful young finishing school teacher Anna Winters…
Anna is a committed Rebel with a secret past and a dangerous mission to secure the Hudson Highlands for the Americans. Years ago, she was Annatje, the daughter of a tenant farmer who led an uprising against the corrupt landlords and paid with his life. Since then, Anna has vowed to see the patroon system swept aside along with British rule. But at Harenwyck she discovers that politics and virtue do not always align as she expects…and she must choose between two men with a shared past and conflicting visions of the future.
Review:
The Dutch Girl is a captivating page turner, full of exquisite period detail, strong characters, and plenty of romance and intrigue.
I am never disappointed by Donna Thorland’s elegant writing and enchanting treatment of the American Revolutionary War. I always come away from her books having learned something. As the title implies the story centers around the Dutch settlers of early America. Heretofore, I did not know much about the Dutch settlements along the Hudson Highlands. The patroon system, much like the feudal caste systems in play in Europe, serves as a fascinating backdrop for the quest for military advantage by both the Rebels and the British.
Anna Winters has carefully reinvented herself following the death of her father, a rebellious Dutch tenant farmer, and her subsequent flight from the law. She is no longer the poor fugitive Annatje Hoppe but now passes herself off as a well-bred English gentlewoman and mistress of a finishing school for young ladies. A woman associated with Anna’s former mentor arrives at the school and blackmails her into spying for the Rebel cause. Anna soon finds herself back in her home territory of Harenwyk after a seventeen-year absence posing as the teacher to the current patroon’s nieces, tasked with securing Andries Van Haren’s support for the Rebels.
She is not prepared to come face to face with her childhood friend and love Gerrit Van Haren. Gerrit, the first born son, has been passed over in favor of his younger brother Andries. Opposed to the whole patroon system, he is embattled with Andries for the title and land ownership with hopes of divvying up the two hundred thousand acres so that the tenants may own their own land. And, he is willing to side with the British, if necessary, to accomplish this feat. Though initially able to maintain her façade, Gerrit eventually realizes Anna is his childhood love that he thought was dead. Thus begins the renewed romance and exciting tale of class, people’s natural rights, and political strategy.
I really appreciate that Anna and Gerrit’s romance is not a matter of love at first sight but rooted in a decade ago relationship between two teenagers separated by vastly different positions in society. They have a natural chemistry and sweet affection for each other, and I particularly enjoy their witty, flirtatious dialogue exchanged in the carriage after Gerrit “kidnaps” her.
Andries and Gerrit’s opposing ideals make them interesting counterpoints to each other. Thorland did an excellent job of presenting their views in a compelling manner, and I could see the pros and cons of both sides. What could have been a mere sketch of a villain, Andries is instead much more than he seems, a complicated character with secrets and wishes of his own. All of the characters, whether main or supporting, are all finely crafted and complex, truly remarkable to read about.
My only quibble is small. After such lush character building and plotting, the ending feels somewhat rushed. In addition, the espionage takes a back seat to the romance whereas in the other books in the Renegades of the American Revolution series there seems more of a balance between the passion and intrigue.
The Dutch Girl is a delightful read and entertaining, informative history lesson. I heartily recommend it to fans of independent, capable heroines faced with daring circumstances with plenty of romance and more than a dash of political stratagem.
OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
March 14, 2016
Another winner from Donna Thorland's amazing Renegades of the Revolution series. Any time a book sends me on a search for more information on the various elements of the story, in this case Dutch architecture, the patroon system in the 18th century Hudson River Valley, and cookies, I know that I am going to love it.
As with all of the books in this series, Donna combines some truly excellent period detail and obviously impeccable historical research with romance, adventure, spies and intrigue to create a story that is historically accurate and a flat out joy to read.
This book differed slightly from the other titles in this series in that the romantic relationship involved two people who were friends from childhood. The differences in their backgrounds provided an interesting obstacle when they are reintroduced as adults. The heroine in this book, Anna Winter, is another in the long list of strong, smart and capable heroines featured in this series. Anna is complemented by a truly dashing hero in Gerritt Van Haren. Gerritt is a really interesting character with somewhat unusual, for the time, views on land ownership, natural rights and the legitimacy, or lack thereof, in the Patroon system. His brother Andries, with very different opinions on almost every political and social issue, provides a compelling counterpart to Gerritt. Per usual, Thorland crafts a potential "villain" with the same sort of care that she uses with her main characters and consequently, I found myself feeling extremely sympathetic toward Andries. This is one of the single most impressive elements in Thorland's work, this ability to craft truly complex, and utterly realistic characters, rather than the sort of stereotypical figures one often encounters in genre fiction.
Along with creating wonderfully complex characters, another compelling element to this series is the way that Thorland delves into the complexity of the sociopolitical aspects of the Revolution. Thorland's strong grasp of the period, along with her obviously excellent research, allows her to portray the many conflicted views of the time with a very even hand. She avoids the easy trap of creating cardboardish good guys and bad guys, and she does an excellent job of offering views from both the Colonists and the British. This allows the reader to immerse themselves in this fascinating and volatile period. I have always felt that a really good historical novel should involve some of the same sort of world building that we find in fantasy novels. One should feel transported when reading them. This is exactly how I feel when I am reading one of Donna Thorland's books and it is why I continue to look forward to each new release in this series with almost giddy anticipation.
If you're looking for a book with strong, well-drawn characters, extremely accurate historical detail, and elegant writing, then you really will want to give THE DUTCH GIRL a read.
As with all of the books in this series, Donna combines some truly excellent period detail and obviously impeccable historical research with romance, adventure, spies and intrigue to create a story that is historically accurate and a flat out joy to read.
This book differed slightly from the other titles in this series in that the romantic relationship involved two people who were friends from childhood. The differences in their backgrounds provided an interesting obstacle when they are reintroduced as adults. The heroine in this book, Anna Winter, is another in the long list of strong, smart and capable heroines featured in this series. Anna is complemented by a truly dashing hero in Gerritt Van Haren. Gerritt is a really interesting character with somewhat unusual, for the time, views on land ownership, natural rights and the legitimacy, or lack thereof, in the Patroon system. His brother Andries, with very different opinions on almost every political and social issue, provides a compelling counterpart to Gerritt. Per usual, Thorland crafts a potential "villain" with the same sort of care that she uses with her main characters and consequently, I found myself feeling extremely sympathetic toward Andries. This is one of the single most impressive elements in Thorland's work, this ability to craft truly complex, and utterly realistic characters, rather than the sort of stereotypical figures one often encounters in genre fiction.
Along with creating wonderfully complex characters, another compelling element to this series is the way that Thorland delves into the complexity of the sociopolitical aspects of the Revolution. Thorland's strong grasp of the period, along with her obviously excellent research, allows her to portray the many conflicted views of the time with a very even hand. She avoids the easy trap of creating cardboardish good guys and bad guys, and she does an excellent job of offering views from both the Colonists and the British. This allows the reader to immerse themselves in this fascinating and volatile period. I have always felt that a really good historical novel should involve some of the same sort of world building that we find in fantasy novels. One should feel transported when reading them. This is exactly how I feel when I am reading one of Donna Thorland's books and it is why I continue to look forward to each new release in this series with almost giddy anticipation.
If you're looking for a book with strong, well-drawn characters, extremely accurate historical detail, and elegant writing, then you really will want to give THE DUTCH GIRL a read.
September 19, 2016
I did not realize the Dutch beat the pilgrims here but they did, settling where New York City is now. During the American Revolution, the Dutch had a feudal system in place where land was rented from the landlord and tithes were paid to him.
In this novel, two brothers are at odds with each other. There are spies on both sides, each wanting the river crossing to cut off either army. One brother becomes a rebel fighter, the other takes over as landlord. In the middle of this comes Anna who had grown up on the estate but has to escape during a night of violence. Sent years later as a spy back to Harenwyck, she abandons all spying to reconcile the brothers but there is one she has always loved ---.
In this novel, two brothers are at odds with each other. There are spies on both sides, each wanting the river crossing to cut off either army. One brother becomes a rebel fighter, the other takes over as landlord. In the middle of this comes Anna who had grown up on the estate but has to escape during a night of violence. Sent years later as a spy back to Harenwyck, she abandons all spying to reconcile the brothers but there is one she has always loved ---.
Read
April 28, 2016The Dutch Girl is the latest in Donna Thorland’s Renegades of the Revolution series. From her origins as Annatje Hoppe, the daughter of a tenant farmer on a Dutch settlement along the Hudson River, Anna Winter is now an English-speaking school mistress in New York. Like all of the heroines in this series, Anna is strong and capable, a Rebel following in the footsteps of late father. The romance comes in the form of Gerrit Van Haren, whose political views on natural rights and the patroon system contrast with those held by his dissolute brother Andries, also a potential suitor. Intrigue is provided by the unraveling of Anna’s backstory. While Anna and Gerrit’s romance was a little too low-conflict for me, Thorland offers a complex and meticulously researched take on many facets of the American Revolution that are little known.
Verdict: Depends on what kind of romance reader you are. Buy if you like the idea of well-told history driving the romance. Bypass if you prefer high-stakes, angsty romance to historically authentic political intrigue.
from Buy, Borrow, Bypass: 3 Non-Regency Historical Romances: http://bookriot.com/2016/03/28/buy-bo...
Verdict: Depends on what kind of romance reader you are. Buy if you like the idea of well-told history driving the romance. Bypass if you prefer high-stakes, angsty romance to historically authentic political intrigue.
from Buy, Borrow, Bypass: 3 Non-Regency Historical Romances: http://bookriot.com/2016/03/28/buy-bo...
March 6, 2016
This was another page-turner in the fabulous Renegades of the American Revolution series! Donna Thorland writes captivating historical fiction. She is a master at writing a riveting and entertaining story that is so naturally seeped in historical details that make me effortlessly more educated about that period in time.
I happen to find the American Revolution fascinating, and I love being immersed in that world. However, even if you don't naturally gravitate to books set in this era, do not hesitate to pick this one up. It is perfect for anyone who enjoys historical fiction full of adventure with a strong leading lady.
Although this is part of a series, this book stands on it's own. I don't believe the series needs to be read in a particular order. I recommend this book and every book in this series.
I happen to find the American Revolution fascinating, and I love being immersed in that world. However, even if you don't naturally gravitate to books set in this era, do not hesitate to pick this one up. It is perfect for anyone who enjoys historical fiction full of adventure with a strong leading lady.
Although this is part of a series, this book stands on it's own. I don't believe the series needs to be read in a particular order. I recommend this book and every book in this series.
April 2, 2016
Another excellent, well researched offering from Ms. Thorland about the ordinary (yet not so ordinary) women and men who fought the American revolution. I knew little about the Dutch communities of upstate NY, and most of that came from reading Dragonwyk by Anya Seton decades ago. Even then the idea of feudalism at that level in the early American republic stunned me, and Thorland does an outstanding job of explaining how these feudal lords (in all but name) came to own people's lives, property and futures in NY.
Fans of American history and well written, well researched romance will want to check out the Renegades of the American Revolution series for some quality reading.
Fans of American history and well written, well researched romance will want to check out the Renegades of the American Revolution series for some quality reading.
September 18, 2016
This was shaping up to be a solid 3-4 star read for me until the end, when certain character actions made no sense to me and it felt like all the heart was gone. The last 15% also felt like something out of a middle grade novel, not adult historical fiction/romance.
February 26, 2016
Amazing -- might be my favorite so far. The Dutch-dominated Hudson Valley was a great setting, and the stakes and payoff of the action and romance were incredible!
May 1, 2016
Anna is content with her life as a schoolteacher. One day, she is forced to teach the Patroon of Harenwyck’s young nieces. This is so she can secure Harenwyck to the rebels. Anna is reluctant to go because of her dark past that is related to Harenwyck, yet she goes anyway. Along the way to Harenwyck, Anna runs into Gerrit, a boy whom she loved from her past. It turns out that Gerrit is on the opposite side of Anna’s because he is for the British. Can the two ever be together despite their different ideals, and will Anna ever be free from her past that still continually haunts her?
Anna is a strong protagonist. She is a very likable and sympathetic character. While Anna seems content with her present, we quickly learn that she is an emotionally distraught young woman who has a terrible past. She tries to give herself a new identity and a new start by being a schoolteacher. I really felt sorry for Anna, and I also admired her. She is very brave to risk her life to go back to Harenwyck. I also found Anna to be a very smart character. She is witty, and can hold up her own in front of very powerful and dangerous men. She can also fight and protect herself. Anna also has a very keen eye for details, and she is persistent to always find the truth.
Overall, this book is about a woman who is trying to come to terms with her past. It is also about a woman trying to find her identity and happiness. I found the characters to be fascinating and complex. This story is full of action, mystery, suspense and romance. This novel is beautifully-written, and I loved the slow-building romance. I also liked how it is set in the Dutch colony during the American revolution. My only complaint was that I wish this book was longer because the ending seemed a bit rushed. Nevertheless, this was a fun, light, and simple story. I look forward to reading other books in this series. I recommend this books to those interested in reading love stories set during the American Revolution.
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
Anna is a strong protagonist. She is a very likable and sympathetic character. While Anna seems content with her present, we quickly learn that she is an emotionally distraught young woman who has a terrible past. She tries to give herself a new identity and a new start by being a schoolteacher. I really felt sorry for Anna, and I also admired her. She is very brave to risk her life to go back to Harenwyck. I also found Anna to be a very smart character. She is witty, and can hold up her own in front of very powerful and dangerous men. She can also fight and protect herself. Anna also has a very keen eye for details, and she is persistent to always find the truth.
Overall, this book is about a woman who is trying to come to terms with her past. It is also about a woman trying to find her identity and happiness. I found the characters to be fascinating and complex. This story is full of action, mystery, suspense and romance. This novel is beautifully-written, and I loved the slow-building romance. I also liked how it is set in the Dutch colony during the American revolution. My only complaint was that I wish this book was longer because the ending seemed a bit rushed. Nevertheless, this was a fun, light, and simple story. I look forward to reading other books in this series. I recommend this books to those interested in reading love stories set during the American Revolution.
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
July 28, 2019
The Dutch Girl is another great installment in Donna Thorland's Renegades of the American Revolution series. I found it to be educational, exciting, dramatic, and well-written.
This book has a different feel to me, in that, unlike the first three installments, it is mostly removed from the main conflicts and locations of the revolution. The Dutch Girl takes place in the Hudson Highlands, and area I've never heard of, and had no idea played a role in the American Revolution. I also didn't realize that the Dutch were the original immigrants to the area. Bad me. So yeah, I learned some really interesting bits while reading this.
The Dutch Girl brings back two big players from earlier in the series, Kate Grey and John Andre. I loved that we get more Kate, and boy is she ruthless here. My big wish is the series continues and we get to see Andre die. Plus, this is a fantastic series and I want it to continue so that I learn more and have more great books to read.
I've just realized that I haven't even discussed the main characters or their story arc. Guess what? I liked them! I admired Anna and Gerrit for the ideals and determination. Their love story was tragic, bittersweet, and satisfying. I even liked Andries, the supposed bad brother. It's always more interesting when old conflicts and wounds aren't what they seem.
Like the previous book in the series, I found the resolution to be a bit rushed and easy, maybe underwhelming. Even so, The Dutch Girl was still an intriguing, intelligent and satisfying read.
This book has a different feel to me, in that, unlike the first three installments, it is mostly removed from the main conflicts and locations of the revolution. The Dutch Girl takes place in the Hudson Highlands, and area I've never heard of, and had no idea played a role in the American Revolution. I also didn't realize that the Dutch were the original immigrants to the area. Bad me. So yeah, I learned some really interesting bits while reading this.
The Dutch Girl brings back two big players from earlier in the series, Kate Grey and John Andre. I loved that we get more Kate, and boy is she ruthless here. My big wish is the series continues and we get to see Andre die. Plus, this is a fantastic series and I want it to continue so that I learn more and have more great books to read.
I've just realized that I haven't even discussed the main characters or their story arc. Guess what? I liked them! I admired Anna and Gerrit for the ideals and determination. Their love story was tragic, bittersweet, and satisfying. I even liked Andries, the supposed bad brother. It's always more interesting when old conflicts and wounds aren't what they seem.
Like the previous book in the series, I found the resolution to be a bit rushed and easy, maybe underwhelming. Even so, The Dutch Girl was still an intriguing, intelligent and satisfying read.
July 22, 2016
Every book in this series gets better every time. The Dutch Girl is no exception! I love that even though these books can be read each to their own, that they all have one common thread that holds them together: The Widow. This is a great novel filled with espionage, love, hatred, realizations, past lives and lies with a little truth mixed in. I loved that even though we learned about Annajte's past, we got the flashback that tied it all together and that the whole story was just put together so well. I loved Annjte and Gerrit's romance and I rooted for them the whole time. They never stopped loving each other and it was extremely apparent and I loved that. One of my favorites by far! Hopefully she keeps writing in this series!
April 6, 2016
I liked the book but I felt that the history lesson took over the story completely. And I didn't particularly like the story, though it was interesting to read about the Dutch in the US. it was just to much factual information to make it a good read.
Also, the Dutch seemed a bit off. Sometimes 18th century spelling was used, and sometimes modern spelling. Dutch words in italics ended up with plurals according to English spelling rules. Some words and expressions I have never heard of. To be fair, it's hard see if issues were a result of it being an 18th century language influenced by English or if they were true mistakes. However, there were clearly some real spelling errors and typos as well.
Also, the Dutch seemed a bit off. Sometimes 18th century spelling was used, and sometimes modern spelling. Dutch words in italics ended up with plurals according to English spelling rules. Some words and expressions I have never heard of. To be fair, it's hard see if issues were a result of it being an 18th century language influenced by English or if they were true mistakes. However, there were clearly some real spelling errors and typos as well.
March 30, 2016
Thorland never fails to impress me with her historically accurate, excellent period detail. Interesting, well crafted characters and an aspect of the American Revolution (Dutch settlements along the Hudson River Valley) come together to make a compelling read. There is more romance that intrigue this time around. Though this is the fourth book in the series, I believe each book can be read as a standalone novel and in any order. Highly recommended.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own.
September 19, 2016
Outstanding historical fiction written by author Donna Thorland who transforms informed research into compulsively readable stories. I have enjoyed all four of the novels in the "renegades of the revolution" series. I look forward to reading other historical fiction written by this author. Additionally I have great interest in The early history of New York city and THE DUTCH GIRL has enriched my knowledge and understanding of the subject. For those who share a similar interest I recommend Beverly Swerling's "CITY OF ..... Novels/series.
February 28, 2018
An enjoyable historical fiction romance. I don't know much about the Dutch patroon system in the Hudson River Valley so that was interesting. The writing was a little uneven in my view. There would be a lot of detail about something and then another important event would wrap up in 2 paragraphs. A couple of times I looked back to see if I had missed something. I would have liked a little more intrigue and spying rather than nicely tied in a bow romance.
February 24, 2018
It was an interesting read, but considering this book had a lot of potential with a hint of spy and rebellion. The focus of this book was on a poorly designed romance and I was a little disappointed. The author mentioned several important historical figures and the heroine was trained to be a spy. I was hoping for more spying and details of how this woman could've changed history.
March 5, 2016
I love these books set during the American Revolution. I knew next to nothing about the Dutch of the Hudson Valley and after reading this, I want to know more.
January 20, 2021
I came into this expecting something of a historical spy thriller, but instead got a historical romance, which was disappointing. Still, even when judged on its merits as a romance, I was not overly impressed.
Anna Winters, formerly known as Annatje Hoppe, is the headmistress of a small girl's academy in British-occupied New York. She is approached by an associate of her benefactor, asking that she return to her childhood home, Harenwyck, one of the old Dutch patroonships in the Hudson Highlands, in order to help secure the area and keep it out of the hands of the British. And by 'asking', I mean by blackmailing, as said associate all but threatens to reveal Anna's past troubles, which include killing a man in self-defense, if she does not comply. So Anna goes, and finds herself in the midst of a war between brothers, the oldest who seeks to recover his inheritance even if it means siding a British Army that he despises (and him also being Anna's former beau), and the youngest who leans toward supporting the Americans, but is left in an untenable position if he does so.
In all honesty, this attempt at a love triangle fell flat. Anna, who apparently still loves the older brother, Gerrit, is aware of the charms of the younger brother, Andries, and even feels some low-level attraction, but nonetheless feels no desire to choose him over Gerrit. There is no moment of indecision, of her feeling torn romantically between them. No, Anna is more torn between their two visions of the future of Harenwyck, both of which have their benefits and disadvantages, which doesn't exactly play into the idea of 'romance' or 'love triangle'.
Also, the pacing of the story was horrendous. It nearly a third of the book just to get Anna to her destination, with her traveling from New York, getting waylaid by Gerrit (who is playing Robin Hood in Harenwyck as part of his work to regain the patroonship from Andries), and finally making it to the manor house of the Van Haren home. When she finally got there, I thought, "Okay, good, now the sleuthing and spying can begin." But no, aside from the occasional bit of eavesdropping, Anna does more investigating of the Van Haren family mysteries than she does spying and pushing for the Patriot cause. Then, when we reach the climax of the story, it is so completely rushed that I actually flipped back several pages and read it again, convinced that I had somehow skipped a few pages without noticing. Anna's identity as Annatje is discovered, and the family of the man she killed kidnap her in order to enact 'justice'. But after she's initially captured, she regains consciousness and is able to flee from them before they can try and hang her. There is no suspense whatsoever. Literally, the entire story is wrapped up in less than two chapters, and with everything being 'told', rather than shown. The entire thing fell flat as a result.
The parts about this whole story that I enjoyed the most were the mysteries embedded therein - the mystery of Gerrit's dead, unhappy wife, Sophia, and the mystery behind the vanishing of Gerrit and Andries' sister, Elizabeth. Since the aspects of the historical in this story felt like a mere gloss added to the story - the evil British (in the persons of John André and Banastre Tarleton) are trying to overtake the Hudson Highlands and thus cut the colonies in half, thereby striking a blow to the Rebel cause - I found the personal mysteries much more entertaining and compelling. Still, those parts which I did enjoy could not fill the entirety of this nearly-400-page book.
Anna Winters, formerly known as Annatje Hoppe, is the headmistress of a small girl's academy in British-occupied New York. She is approached by an associate of her benefactor, asking that she return to her childhood home, Harenwyck, one of the old Dutch patroonships in the Hudson Highlands, in order to help secure the area and keep it out of the hands of the British. And by 'asking', I mean by blackmailing, as said associate all but threatens to reveal Anna's past troubles, which include killing a man in self-defense, if she does not comply. So Anna goes, and finds herself in the midst of a war between brothers, the oldest who seeks to recover his inheritance even if it means siding a British Army that he despises (and him also being Anna's former beau), and the youngest who leans toward supporting the Americans, but is left in an untenable position if he does so.
In all honesty, this attempt at a love triangle fell flat. Anna, who apparently still loves the older brother, Gerrit, is aware of the charms of the younger brother, Andries, and even feels some low-level attraction, but nonetheless feels no desire to choose him over Gerrit. There is no moment of indecision, of her feeling torn romantically between them. No, Anna is more torn between their two visions of the future of Harenwyck, both of which have their benefits and disadvantages, which doesn't exactly play into the idea of 'romance' or 'love triangle'.
Also, the pacing of the story was horrendous. It nearly a third of the book just to get Anna to her destination, with her traveling from New York, getting waylaid by Gerrit (who is playing Robin Hood in Harenwyck as part of his work to regain the patroonship from Andries), and finally making it to the manor house of the Van Haren home. When she finally got there, I thought, "Okay, good, now the sleuthing and spying can begin." But no, aside from the occasional bit of eavesdropping, Anna does more investigating of the Van Haren family mysteries than she does spying and pushing for the Patriot cause. Then, when we reach the climax of the story, it is so completely rushed that I actually flipped back several pages and read it again, convinced that I had somehow skipped a few pages without noticing. Anna's identity as Annatje is discovered, and the family of the man she killed kidnap her in order to enact 'justice'. But after she's initially captured, she regains consciousness and is able to flee from them before they can try and hang her. There is no suspense whatsoever. Literally, the entire story is wrapped up in less than two chapters, and with everything being 'told', rather than shown. The entire thing fell flat as a result.
The parts about this whole story that I enjoyed the most were the mysteries embedded therein - the mystery of Gerrit's dead, unhappy wife, Sophia, and the mystery behind the vanishing of Gerrit and Andries' sister, Elizabeth. Since the aspects of the historical in this story felt like a mere gloss added to the story - the evil British (in the persons of John André and Banastre Tarleton) are trying to overtake the Hudson Highlands and thus cut the colonies in half, thereby striking a blow to the Rebel cause - I found the personal mysteries much more entertaining and compelling. Still, those parts which I did enjoy could not fill the entirety of this nearly-400-page book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2018
It's not clear to me if the Renegades of the American Revolution books need to be read in order, maybe reading the other ones would influence the way I see this story, but I only read this book so I'll review it as a stand-alone.
I picked up this book because I love historical novels, I don't know much about US history and I must admit, also a bit because I'm Dutch. I was disappointed in the history part of the book. While it's set during the American Revolution the revolution doesn't really play much of a role in the story and if you, like me, don't know much about it going in you'll come out not still not knowing much. Teaching history is not the main focus of a novel, of course, but I like books to inform me a bit about the times they tell me about and this one doesn't at all.
Some of the characters seem to have no background, pop up out of nothing at convenient times, they are just so strange to me. Maybe it's because I didn't read the other books though, might be my mistake.
The story also has some random parts like
So yeah, I'm not a fan. The mystery of Annatjes past kept me reading but I'm not sure if it was worth my time to be honest.
I picked up this book because I love historical novels, I don't know much about US history and I must admit, also a bit because I'm Dutch. I was disappointed in the history part of the book. While it's set during the American Revolution the revolution doesn't really play much of a role in the story and if you, like me, don't know much about it going in you'll come out not still not knowing much. Teaching history is not the main focus of a novel, of course, but I like books to inform me a bit about the times they tell me about and this one doesn't at all.
Some of the characters seem to have no background, pop up out of nothing at convenient times, they are just so strange to me. Maybe it's because I didn't read the other books though, might be my mistake.
The story also has some random parts like
So yeah, I'm not a fan. The mystery of Annatjes past kept me reading but I'm not sure if it was worth my time to be honest.
July 24, 2018
I was hesitant about this book because it stated romance as a genre. I loved the book as a historical fiction fan. There wasn't a lot of "romance" in the book. And by romance, there weren't many sex scenes, and the ones that did exist weren't drawn out like in may romance novels. There was romance, and secrets, and a twist. And it all worked together brilliantly while staying true to the time and era (at least what I know of the time and era). I learned a lot about the American Revolution that I didn't know before and about early Dutch settlers. I really enjoyed the main character, Anna. Only once did I want to slap her in the face. Maybe twice. I wish there were more scenes where she got to use all her badass spy skills. I feel like the author teased us with talking about everything "The Widow" taught her and groomed her for but we really didn't get to see her use much of it.
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