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Our Eternal Curse #2
Another Tribe
Retitled alternate-cover edition can be found here
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”
Julii, a beautiful, insecure and victimized Tennessee Indian is caught up in the white man's world after saving the life of a Confederate captain wounded at the battle of Shiloh.
Overcoming great disadvantage, cruel prejudice and bitter persecution, Julii harnesses her intrinsic genius to become the Confederate States’ most aggressive blockade-runner.
Using conspiracy, manipulation and bribery to punish those who wronged her, Julii sets off a chain of events that leads to General Sherman burning down Atlanta, his infamous “March to the sea”, and a total Union victory, while condemning her to suffer for even more sins of her past.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”
Julii, a beautiful, insecure and victimized Tennessee Indian is caught up in the white man's world after saving the life of a Confederate captain wounded at the battle of Shiloh.
Overcoming great disadvantage, cruel prejudice and bitter persecution, Julii harnesses her intrinsic genius to become the Confederate States’ most aggressive blockade-runner.
Using conspiracy, manipulation and bribery to punish those who wronged her, Julii sets off a chain of events that leads to General Sherman burning down Atlanta, his infamous “March to the sea”, and a total Union victory, while condemning her to suffer for even more sins of her past.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2015
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Simon Rumney
8 books8 followersI was born into England's idyllic countryside in 1955, just ten years after The Second World War. A time when people were still living with the terrible trauma of nightly bombing raids and the unimaginable suffering of losing loved ones to a violent death. Many were gripped by what we now call ‘Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder’ at a time when no-one felt comfortable talking about their feelings.
Rationing had only just ended and I remember my anxious mother keeping draws stuffed full with used paper bags because surviving acute shortages made it impossible for her to throw anything away. Almost everyone's mother was hording completely worn-out shoes or tiny bits of material to patch clothes long after they should have been thrown away. Even though food was now freely available many mothers couldn't help skimping on portions of basic things like sugar, flour and butter.
Had I been born into my working-class family fifty years earlier I imagine the mood in my household may well have been a lot less tense. I would also have avoided going to school by becoming a junior apprentice to my accomplished cabinet making father. Conversely, had I been born today I would be learning in an enlightened school system while using computers with some kind of commonly available spellcheck program.
Unfortunately for me, being born in 1955 meant compulsorily attending a tiny village school whose teachers believed education was still something that should be beaten into their pupils. Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) were things of the distant future and any interruption to ask for clarity was considered deliberately disruptive.
Much to my teacher’s constant frustration, I could actually read words. I could even write words. I simply couldn't understand them. Sometimes I would copy things down from the blackboard and the very same word would be spelled in three different ways in the same paragraph. When I read the 'Janet and John' books I could read the words, I could even read them out loud, but I simply couldn't follow the story.
I know this sounds ridiculous but, to give you some idea of what I experience when I read, it's like relearning every word every time I see it. Imagine translating every word into French, then back into English all the time. I truly envy those people who talk about becoming 'lost in a good book' because for me reading is like completing an obstacle course without gravity to hold me down.
As for abstract things like punctuation, or the meaning of nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs etc. My teachers may just as well have been speaking Swahili!
Even as I write this explanation it makes absolutely no sense to me, so how could it possibly have made sense to the frustrated teachers who punished me for being 'lazy and stupid’. When those same teachers informed my parents of, what they believed to be, my ‘unwillingness’ to learn, my poorly educated Mum and Dad also punished me for my apparent rebelliousness.
Like many children who find themselves in this predicament I compensated for my academic failings by becoming an athlete. I sought approval as the fastest swimmer in my junior school. I was a good soccer player. Tall for my age, I was handy for the rugby team and ideal as a fast cricket bowler. I was all set for the macho existence of a ‘Jock’ until the age of 8 when I became a chronic asthmatic and could no longer compete.
It didn’t help when the Doctor who diagnosed my asthma said. 'In my opinion asthma is a psychosomatic illness.’ After that little bomb shell my teachers; my parents, even I believed that I was not only too ‘lazy and stupid’ to read, I was also too ‘lazy and stupid’ to breathe!
I should point out, that most of my teachers were well meaning and not deliberately malicious. They were people born into a very different England. Some had survived two brutal World Wars while living in a society that didn't guarantee education for all until a hard won act of Parliament in
Rationing had only just ended and I remember my anxious mother keeping draws stuffed full with used paper bags because surviving acute shortages made it impossible for her to throw anything away. Almost everyone's mother was hording completely worn-out shoes or tiny bits of material to patch clothes long after they should have been thrown away. Even though food was now freely available many mothers couldn't help skimping on portions of basic things like sugar, flour and butter.
Had I been born into my working-class family fifty years earlier I imagine the mood in my household may well have been a lot less tense. I would also have avoided going to school by becoming a junior apprentice to my accomplished cabinet making father. Conversely, had I been born today I would be learning in an enlightened school system while using computers with some kind of commonly available spellcheck program.
Unfortunately for me, being born in 1955 meant compulsorily attending a tiny village school whose teachers believed education was still something that should be beaten into their pupils. Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) were things of the distant future and any interruption to ask for clarity was considered deliberately disruptive.
Much to my teacher’s constant frustration, I could actually read words. I could even write words. I simply couldn't understand them. Sometimes I would copy things down from the blackboard and the very same word would be spelled in three different ways in the same paragraph. When I read the 'Janet and John' books I could read the words, I could even read them out loud, but I simply couldn't follow the story.
I know this sounds ridiculous but, to give you some idea of what I experience when I read, it's like relearning every word every time I see it. Imagine translating every word into French, then back into English all the time. I truly envy those people who talk about becoming 'lost in a good book' because for me reading is like completing an obstacle course without gravity to hold me down.
As for abstract things like punctuation, or the meaning of nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs etc. My teachers may just as well have been speaking Swahili!
Even as I write this explanation it makes absolutely no sense to me, so how could it possibly have made sense to the frustrated teachers who punished me for being 'lazy and stupid’. When those same teachers informed my parents of, what they believed to be, my ‘unwillingness’ to learn, my poorly educated Mum and Dad also punished me for my apparent rebelliousness.
Like many children who find themselves in this predicament I compensated for my academic failings by becoming an athlete. I sought approval as the fastest swimmer in my junior school. I was a good soccer player. Tall for my age, I was handy for the rugby team and ideal as a fast cricket bowler. I was all set for the macho existence of a ‘Jock’ until the age of 8 when I became a chronic asthmatic and could no longer compete.
It didn’t help when the Doctor who diagnosed my asthma said. 'In my opinion asthma is a psychosomatic illness.’ After that little bomb shell my teachers; my parents, even I believed that I was not only too ‘lazy and stupid’ to read, I was also too ‘lazy and stupid’ to breathe!
I should point out, that most of my teachers were well meaning and not deliberately malicious. They were people born into a very different England. Some had survived two brutal World Wars while living in a society that didn't guarantee education for all until a hard won act of Parliament in
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 25, 2017
This novel has something for almost everyone, at that is a rare feat.
It is essentially a historical fiction with the character of Julii in center of it. She is a Tennessee Indian dealing with the "white world" around her. It doesn't sound like much, but there is much more than that, I won't reveal the entire plot here. She is a strong character, for me that is always welcome, especially in historical fiction. The plot is exciting, fast, full of things happening all the time, but it is not exhaustive at all. The drama, relations of Julii and other characters, battles and depiction of war, everything is written very, very well and it blends together seamlessly.
This is a second book in the series, but I had no problem following what is going on and I didn't even read the first one. I don't know if it has continuity or not, but it seemed to me like a stand-alone book. Anyway, really loved it, super entertaining, easy to read and just an excellent book.
It is essentially a historical fiction with the character of Julii in center of it. She is a Tennessee Indian dealing with the "white world" around her. It doesn't sound like much, but there is much more than that, I won't reveal the entire plot here. She is a strong character, for me that is always welcome, especially in historical fiction. The plot is exciting, fast, full of things happening all the time, but it is not exhaustive at all. The drama, relations of Julii and other characters, battles and depiction of war, everything is written very, very well and it blends together seamlessly.
This is a second book in the series, but I had no problem following what is going on and I didn't even read the first one. I don't know if it has continuity or not, but it seemed to me like a stand-alone book. Anyway, really loved it, super entertaining, easy to read and just an excellent book.
August 4, 2017
Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe is the story of a member of a tribe of natives exiled by the Cherokee during the American Civil War. The story has a good heart, portraying some of the terrible brutalities of an era characterized by bloodshed, slavery, and genocide; however, the first few chapters seem to be quite clumsy in their execution. Another Tribe’s introductory chapter, for example, is confusing in all the wrong ways. Instead of feeling wonder and fear alongside the lead character, I simple felt utterly perplexed as to what was being described at all.
The most laudable aspect of the story is the later portrayal of the lead’s learning. Before her learning of the English language, her internal dialogue is in English and the words she tries to teach another character are also translated into English. This makes conversations and scenes difficult to track and makes for a breaking of the suspension of disbelief, at least until it occurs that she actually does learn English at a later point. It would have been a very nice touch to include Cherokee, or Cherokee related words, both from a perspective of cultural respect and from the perspective of clarity of reading. That said, after the language issue is sorted, the lead character’s experiences become far more believable and enjoyable.
Another factor of the beginning of the story that simply didn’t sit well with me was the almost immediate injection of sexuality into the main character’s internal dialogue. While sex and sexuality are absolutely an important part of some stories, here it seemed somewhat forced and slightly out of place at times. While certain moments I believe accurately reflected the experience of a teen with complicated feelings, flooding hormones, and peer pressure, other moments seemed inappropriate for the tale.
All in all Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe is a book that just misses the mark for me. While the historical backdrop is enjoyable, many of the aspects of the tale early on simply thwart overall enjoyment.
The most laudable aspect of the story is the later portrayal of the lead’s learning. Before her learning of the English language, her internal dialogue is in English and the words she tries to teach another character are also translated into English. This makes conversations and scenes difficult to track and makes for a breaking of the suspension of disbelief, at least until it occurs that she actually does learn English at a later point. It would have been a very nice touch to include Cherokee, or Cherokee related words, both from a perspective of cultural respect and from the perspective of clarity of reading. That said, after the language issue is sorted, the lead character’s experiences become far more believable and enjoyable.
Another factor of the beginning of the story that simply didn’t sit well with me was the almost immediate injection of sexuality into the main character’s internal dialogue. While sex and sexuality are absolutely an important part of some stories, here it seemed somewhat forced and slightly out of place at times. While certain moments I believe accurately reflected the experience of a teen with complicated feelings, flooding hormones, and peer pressure, other moments seemed inappropriate for the tale.
All in all Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe is a book that just misses the mark for me. While the historical backdrop is enjoyable, many of the aspects of the tale early on simply thwart overall enjoyment.
June 4, 2017
Reviewed For Readers' Favorites by Grant Leishman
Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe by Simon Rumney is part of a series that covers the many lives and deaths of one woman throughout history who seems destined to play a large part in the history of whatever time period and place she is born. In Another Tribe, Julii is a young Native American woman living in a lost valley, with her banished tribe, in the heartland of Tennessee, during the American Civil War. Having no knowledge of any life outside her tribe, when she finds a dying, Confederate Captain near their waterhole, she rescues him and nurses him back to health, blissfully unaware that her life and her understanding of the world is about to change forever. Having fallen in love with this soldier, she accompanies him back to Atlanta where she is rudely introduced to the hatred and bigotry that was such an integral part of the early South. Determined to survive, Julii becomes a force that will turn the fortunes of the Civil War on its head.
I particularly found Rumney’s use of the narrative to highlight the incredible injustices heaped upon both the Indians and the Negro slaves to be enlightening. The idea of a pure, innocent, woman without any preconceived prejudices, confronting such vicious and vile vitriol head on, was very refreshing and, as a reader, I found the character of Julii easy to identify with and feel sympathy for. As the storyline developed, we are given little peeks inside of Julii’s subconscious and we slowly come to realise that all is not as it seems. There is much more to Julii’s character than we at first believed. This was a clever way to introduce the concept of a series to those who were reading the book as a standalone, rather than in order. An excellent fast-moving story from Simon Rumney and Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe was a satisfying read.
Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe by Simon Rumney is part of a series that covers the many lives and deaths of one woman throughout history who seems destined to play a large part in the history of whatever time period and place she is born. In Another Tribe, Julii is a young Native American woman living in a lost valley, with her banished tribe, in the heartland of Tennessee, during the American Civil War. Having no knowledge of any life outside her tribe, when she finds a dying, Confederate Captain near their waterhole, she rescues him and nurses him back to health, blissfully unaware that her life and her understanding of the world is about to change forever. Having fallen in love with this soldier, she accompanies him back to Atlanta where she is rudely introduced to the hatred and bigotry that was such an integral part of the early South. Determined to survive, Julii becomes a force that will turn the fortunes of the Civil War on its head.
I particularly found Rumney’s use of the narrative to highlight the incredible injustices heaped upon both the Indians and the Negro slaves to be enlightening. The idea of a pure, innocent, woman without any preconceived prejudices, confronting such vicious and vile vitriol head on, was very refreshing and, as a reader, I found the character of Julii easy to identify with and feel sympathy for. As the storyline developed, we are given little peeks inside of Julii’s subconscious and we slowly come to realise that all is not as it seems. There is much more to Julii’s character than we at first believed. This was a clever way to introduce the concept of a series to those who were reading the book as a standalone, rather than in order. An excellent fast-moving story from Simon Rumney and Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe was a satisfying read.
February 9, 2018
Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe Written by Simon Rumney Reviewed 2/8/18
Discrimination is not reserved for one color!
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”
Julii, a beautiful, insecure and victimized Tennessee Indian is caught up in the white man's world after saving the life of a Confederate captain wounded at the battle of Shiloh. Overcoming great disadvantage, cruel prejudice, and bitter persecution, Julii harnesses her intrinsic genius to become the Confederate States’ most aggressive blockade-runner. Using conspiracy, manipulation, and bribery to punish those who wronged her, Julii sets off a chain of events that leads to General Sherman burning down Atlanta, his infamous “March to the sea”, and a total Union victory, while condemning her to suffer for even more sins of her past.
What did I like? Being part Native American but not looking it, I can relate to this story. I lived with the Tribe while growing up and saw the shameful way that many were treated. This was in an area where there is an abundance of many races, but none were treated with the intensity that was directed to the Indians in that area. While just 100 miles from there they were treated with respect.
What will you like? Historical, Intense, action, romance, hatred, abuse, and true genius with a touch of fantasy. What would it be like to be able to learn like Julii did in this story? I would love that. This is really a gripping look at a part of our history and the bigger look at the cruelty and prejudice that took over in many situations during that time in our world. The ending is very intense and will remain in my heart forever. I received this from the Author for an honest review with no other compensation.
Discrimination is not reserved for one color!
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”
Julii, a beautiful, insecure and victimized Tennessee Indian is caught up in the white man's world after saving the life of a Confederate captain wounded at the battle of Shiloh. Overcoming great disadvantage, cruel prejudice, and bitter persecution, Julii harnesses her intrinsic genius to become the Confederate States’ most aggressive blockade-runner. Using conspiracy, manipulation, and bribery to punish those who wronged her, Julii sets off a chain of events that leads to General Sherman burning down Atlanta, his infamous “March to the sea”, and a total Union victory, while condemning her to suffer for even more sins of her past.
What did I like? Being part Native American but not looking it, I can relate to this story. I lived with the Tribe while growing up and saw the shameful way that many were treated. This was in an area where there is an abundance of many races, but none were treated with the intensity that was directed to the Indians in that area. While just 100 miles from there they were treated with respect.
What will you like? Historical, Intense, action, romance, hatred, abuse, and true genius with a touch of fantasy. What would it be like to be able to learn like Julii did in this story? I would love that. This is really a gripping look at a part of our history and the bigger look at the cruelty and prejudice that took over in many situations during that time in our world. The ending is very intense and will remain in my heart forever. I received this from the Author for an honest review with no other compensation.
February 14, 2017
I am a big fan of historical fiction overall, so this book definitely piqued my interest from the start. I felt that the author did a great job of immediately drawing the reader into the world of Julii, the main character. I felt that the way Julii understood and felt about the “white man’s world” was very realistic and definitely helped you to see just how great of a cultural divide existed between these groups in the past. Right away I found myself caring about Julii and wanting her to succeed in the somewhat crazy world around her.
As for the plot, it is definitely full of adventure, suspense, and drama! The thought of an Indian woman becoming the Confederate’s most aggressive blockade-runner is strange but intriguing at the same time. I found it fascinating how the story tied Julii’s personal experiences to major turning points in the history of the war, such as Sherman’s fiery “March to the Sea” and the tide turning in the war to grant the Union the victory in the end. This is a book I would definitely recommend to history buffs, as well as those who love mystery and suspense!
As for the plot, it is definitely full of adventure, suspense, and drama! The thought of an Indian woman becoming the Confederate’s most aggressive blockade-runner is strange but intriguing at the same time. I found it fascinating how the story tied Julii’s personal experiences to major turning points in the history of the war, such as Sherman’s fiery “March to the Sea” and the tide turning in the war to grant the Union the victory in the end. This is a book I would definitely recommend to history buffs, as well as those who love mystery and suspense!
March 21, 2017
What a wonderful Historical fiction that is captivating
I have always loved this time period in history. Historical fiction has always been one of my favorite so much went on back in time that your mind can really play with it bring forward some wonderful characters with outstanding plots. In this book the author really pulls on your heartstrings with prejudice and bitterness that was done to Julii and her ability to overcome the odds against and become one of the strongest women to show the white man how it was done. The author pulls you in from page one with wonderful characters in a very realistic story. I could see this playing out in history and children reading about it later in years being proud of one lonely woman who gave her all.
The author gives you a little bit of everything from mystery, suspense and adventure as Julii goes into dangerous areas to get the information she needed. I thought the plot was well thought out, sometimes people can over look and not think someone is very smart they get out smarted just like Julii did giving us a compelling read that really hooks the reader. I really liked how the author took true facts and built them around his story. This is a fast pace plot that keeps moving never letting the reader down. I think just about anyone who likes this time period in history would truly enjoy this story. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I have always loved this time period in history. Historical fiction has always been one of my favorite so much went on back in time that your mind can really play with it bring forward some wonderful characters with outstanding plots. In this book the author really pulls on your heartstrings with prejudice and bitterness that was done to Julii and her ability to overcome the odds against and become one of the strongest women to show the white man how it was done. The author pulls you in from page one with wonderful characters in a very realistic story. I could see this playing out in history and children reading about it later in years being proud of one lonely woman who gave her all.
The author gives you a little bit of everything from mystery, suspense and adventure as Julii goes into dangerous areas to get the information she needed. I thought the plot was well thought out, sometimes people can over look and not think someone is very smart they get out smarted just like Julii did giving us a compelling read that really hooks the reader. I really liked how the author took true facts and built them around his story. This is a fast pace plot that keeps moving never letting the reader down. I think just about anyone who likes this time period in history would truly enjoy this story. I look forward to reading more from this author.
February 27, 2017
"Racism is a virus that can only be spread by us"
British author Simon Rumney offers a near novella in his biographical data that becomes more pertinent as we read his noel; ‘I was born into England's idyllic countryside in 1955, just ten years after The Second World War. A time when people were still suffered the terrible trauma of nightly bombing raids and the unimaginable suffering of losing loved ones to a violent death. Many were gripped by what we now call ‘Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder’ at a time when no one felt comfortable talking about their feelings. Had I been born into my working-class family fifty years earlier I imagine the mood in my household may well have been a lot less tense. I would also have avoided going to school by becoming a junior apprentice to my accomplished cabinet making father. Conversely, had I been born today I would be learning in an enlightened school system while using computers with some kind of commonly available spellcheck program. Unfortunately for me, being born in 1955 meant compulsorily attending a tiny village school whose teachers believed education was still something that should be beaten into their pupils. Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) were things of the distant future and any interruption to ask for clarity was considered deliberately disruptive. Much to my teacher’s constant frustration, I could actually read words. I could even write words. I simply couldn't understand them. etc’ A fascinating back-story of an author of Simon’s caliber.
Simon’s sensitivity to being different allows a more intense exploration of the main character of his story, Julii. As he opens the door to his story his language is eloquent – 'Propitious' is the word one eyewitness used to describe the weather in his report of the distant battle. That same report went on to say the battle was being fought between the Union army of the north and the Confederate army of the south at a place called Shiloh on Saturday the sixth of April in the year of 1863. But even if Julii had known of the report's existence, all of those words and numbers would have meant absolutely nothing because she had not yet met Captain Robert Calhoun, the man who would teach her the white man's language. Blissfully unaware each step was taking her closer and closer to unimaginable heartache, she hummed as one foot fell, slapped the empty deer skin water bottle then whistled as the other foot hit the ground. The continuous rhythm made no discernible tune but Julii didn't care. She had been humming, slapping and whistling her way along this path, in a papoose on her mother's back or on foot, almost every morning of her eighteen years.’
The synopsis provided is solid – ‘“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Julii, a beautiful, insecure and victimized Tennessee Indian is caught up in the white man's world after saving the life of a Confederate captain wounded at the battle of Shiloh. Overcoming great disadvantage, cruel prejudice and bitter persecution, Julii harnesses her intrinsic genius to become the Confederate States’ most aggressive blockade-runner. Using conspiracy, manipulation and bribery to punish those who wronged her, Julii sets off a chain of events that leads to General Sherman burning down Atlanta, his infamous “March to the sea”, and a total Union victory, while condemning her to suffer for even more sins of her past.’
There are three volumes in Simon’s OUR ETERNAL CURSE series and if each of the published ones and the likely future ones carry the same weight of excellent story with shading of philosophy, we are in for a grand education.
British author Simon Rumney offers a near novella in his biographical data that becomes more pertinent as we read his noel; ‘I was born into England's idyllic countryside in 1955, just ten years after The Second World War. A time when people were still suffered the terrible trauma of nightly bombing raids and the unimaginable suffering of losing loved ones to a violent death. Many were gripped by what we now call ‘Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder’ at a time when no one felt comfortable talking about their feelings. Had I been born into my working-class family fifty years earlier I imagine the mood in my household may well have been a lot less tense. I would also have avoided going to school by becoming a junior apprentice to my accomplished cabinet making father. Conversely, had I been born today I would be learning in an enlightened school system while using computers with some kind of commonly available spellcheck program. Unfortunately for me, being born in 1955 meant compulsorily attending a tiny village school whose teachers believed education was still something that should be beaten into their pupils. Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) were things of the distant future and any interruption to ask for clarity was considered deliberately disruptive. Much to my teacher’s constant frustration, I could actually read words. I could even write words. I simply couldn't understand them. etc’ A fascinating back-story of an author of Simon’s caliber.
Simon’s sensitivity to being different allows a more intense exploration of the main character of his story, Julii. As he opens the door to his story his language is eloquent – 'Propitious' is the word one eyewitness used to describe the weather in his report of the distant battle. That same report went on to say the battle was being fought between the Union army of the north and the Confederate army of the south at a place called Shiloh on Saturday the sixth of April in the year of 1863. But even if Julii had known of the report's existence, all of those words and numbers would have meant absolutely nothing because she had not yet met Captain Robert Calhoun, the man who would teach her the white man's language. Blissfully unaware each step was taking her closer and closer to unimaginable heartache, she hummed as one foot fell, slapped the empty deer skin water bottle then whistled as the other foot hit the ground. The continuous rhythm made no discernible tune but Julii didn't care. She had been humming, slapping and whistling her way along this path, in a papoose on her mother's back or on foot, almost every morning of her eighteen years.’
The synopsis provided is solid – ‘“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Julii, a beautiful, insecure and victimized Tennessee Indian is caught up in the white man's world after saving the life of a Confederate captain wounded at the battle of Shiloh. Overcoming great disadvantage, cruel prejudice and bitter persecution, Julii harnesses her intrinsic genius to become the Confederate States’ most aggressive blockade-runner. Using conspiracy, manipulation and bribery to punish those who wronged her, Julii sets off a chain of events that leads to General Sherman burning down Atlanta, his infamous “March to the sea”, and a total Union victory, while condemning her to suffer for even more sins of her past.’
There are three volumes in Simon’s OUR ETERNAL CURSE series and if each of the published ones and the likely future ones carry the same weight of excellent story with shading of philosophy, we are in for a grand education.
July 21, 2017
Simon Rumney's :Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe is brilliantly written set in 1863 and the civil war Julii a Native American girl living a secluded life with family who have been ostracized by their tribes in a remote area of Tennessee, finds a man one day while getting water he’s hurt and she takes him home to her fathers tipi and nurse’s him back to health… and so begins her adventure when she leaves her sheltered sanctuary with this man and experiences racism for the first time, and the cruel people of Roberts home and the feeling that she has met these people before in another life. She is extremely bright and learns english in a few weeks but her Robert is sentenced to death for leaving the battle of Shiloh, and her testimony can't save him. Julii finds herself all alone in the white world until the Count finds her and saves her from dying in the streets of Atlanta the north are no better than the south in the way they treat other human beings but the north has killed her Robert and she has revenge on her mind…
July 18, 2017
Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe is the second book from the series. Even though I haven’t read the first one, I didn’t struggle at all to follow the plotline. The book tells the story of a strong Native-American girl falling in love with a white soldier in the time of Civil War.
The beginning was a bit slow, but when it picked up the pace it turns out to be an amazing story, filled with twists and a deep anthropological study on the racism that existed throughout the Civil War. A very interesting perspective, in a narrative led by a powerful woman who is truly the heroine of the book.
The book needs some minor editing work but is not a difficulty to finish reading the story.
It reflects on a very particular period of time giving voice to characters that are not usually displayed (I think it’s the first book I read with a Native-American protagonist) and it makes us think on the topic of racism. A nicely written book.
The beginning was a bit slow, but when it picked up the pace it turns out to be an amazing story, filled with twists and a deep anthropological study on the racism that existed throughout the Civil War. A very interesting perspective, in a narrative led by a powerful woman who is truly the heroine of the book.
The book needs some minor editing work but is not a difficulty to finish reading the story.
It reflects on a very particular period of time giving voice to characters that are not usually displayed (I think it’s the first book I read with a Native-American protagonist) and it makes us think on the topic of racism. A nicely written book.
May 10, 2018
While I liked the story, and the characters, especially of Julii and the count, the execution fell a little flat and clunky. We meet Julii, as she happens across a wounded man and a horse during the civil war. Julii is part of a native american tribe, who has been largely living without being discovered. Julii feels an immediate pull towards this injured man and elements of past lives begin to play out this story. Julii lacks the vocabulary for much, so we are reading the book like it is her internal dialogue and as she describes things, it felt confusing but I can see where the author was trying to take it. Julii is a strong character, but there are times that her actions and words just feel forced or not natural for the situation, and it bogs down the plot at times. The story was decent though, and the characters worked well, but it could have been a little smoother in the telling of it.
I received a free copy of this book
I received a free copy of this book
May 26, 2017
This will probably be one of my last fiction books in a while, as I've read one too many in the past few months. However, I want to finish this "cycle" by saying that Our Eternal Curse is definitely a book everyone will enjoy. Even though the page on Amazon says it is the 2nd book of the series, I didn't feel "lost" at all and was able to pick up on the story very quickly. And, if you're looking for a story that's packed with action, drama and all kinds of twists that will catch you unprepared, you can rest assured Our Eternal Curse will give you good value for the money.
May 14, 2017
A very unusual read but oh so entertaining. The author's ability to create great visual pictures is amazing. While I have read many civil war novels this is from such a different perspective I was blown away by a female character who was a strong and intelligent at a time when the woman's voice was hardly ever heard. This is definitely worth your time.
March 13, 2017
This book is just what I needed at this point in our history. The main character is not only a strong female lead, but an Indian. The book deals with her finding her way through the "white mans world." In this day and age, it's easy to relate to a suppressed woman- even more so one who deals with racism on a daily basis. For those of us fortunate enough to be born the "right" color, it gives and interesting and realistic portrayal of what people of other colors deal with on a daily basis. I am also huge on history and mysteries, which this book has plenty of. Where it really shines is it's characters, but the rest of the plot is right up my alley as well. Glad I picked this up.
April 20, 2017
Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe by Simon Rumney is exceptional historical fiction. The story is focused on Julii, a Tennessee Indian, who is portrayed realistically as dealing with the "white man's world". It's easy to root for Julii in this novel, which is full of suspense and drama. That an Indian woman is portrayed as a blockade runner for the Confederate army is fascinating reading and compelling reading. For the reader that wants to learn more about this era, this is the book from which to start on that journey. This book is sort of like uncharted territory and written from a great perspective. It's great to see a strong representation of an Indian female lead character, who overcomes great levels of disadvantage along with the ever present prejudice and preconceived ideas of the time. Highly recommended reading for history buffs and those who love a little mystery and suspense as well.
February 27, 2017
I was blessed with a free copy of this book, and have chosen of my own volition to share this review.
This was a fantastic book. Well written, with a fast moving story line. Many twists and turns that were unexpected. I finished this book in tears.
I was immediately drawn into the main character, Julii's world. She is one of the last Indians to be touched by the world of the "white man". Her tribe lives in a remote area, and a survivor of the battle of Shiloh (Civil War) intrudes on their peaceful existence. This "stranger" changes Julii's life. Julii leaves her tribe, falls in love, learns several new languages, has a baby, and becomes involved with the munitions supplies for the Confederate army.
Julii's story was easy to fall into. I just had to keep reading to find out what happens next. Now...I have to get the next book to continue the tale.
This was a fantastic book. Well written, with a fast moving story line. Many twists and turns that were unexpected. I finished this book in tears.
I was immediately drawn into the main character, Julii's world. She is one of the last Indians to be touched by the world of the "white man". Her tribe lives in a remote area, and a survivor of the battle of Shiloh (Civil War) intrudes on their peaceful existence. This "stranger" changes Julii's life. Julii leaves her tribe, falls in love, learns several new languages, has a baby, and becomes involved with the munitions supplies for the Confederate army.
Julii's story was easy to fall into. I just had to keep reading to find out what happens next. Now...I have to get the next book to continue the tale.
April 30, 2017
This was a very interesting read. I really enjoyed it. I am always amazed that humans can surprise me with their bigotry and one race is better than another but this book surprised me with the way Juli was treated in the south as an Indian. We are all created equally and even if we don't look alike or have different ways, it doesn't make us less than someone else. Sometimes I think it is our fear of the different that keeps us from embracing those differences. This book was well written and I am looking very forward to reading the next one.
I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest review.
March 27, 2017
I loved this story and I know after saying that the 3 star rating comes into question.
As with all reviews this is my opinion and it may not be how the next reader feels at all. I found the Julii to be fascinating but in the beginning when she repeats the same thing over and over about how her Robert is going to wake up and goes on little mental tangents makes her seem so much younger and unintelligent than she actually is. Also as her story progresses she consistently repeats the same words or berets herself for miss-naming something even if its only in her own head. Such as when she calls a house a teepee or a wagon a carriage.
I love how strong Julii becomes though and despite everything she goes through she triumphs and takes care of those around her. Now if your the type of reader that doesn't like a sad ending then this may not be the book for you. However, if you enjoy a read with a strong woman who knows her own mind and has her ups and downs then this is perfect.
The other reason for 3 stars instead of 4 is that I believed the pacing to be a bit quick and not enough detail given in regards to other characters points of view which I feel would have greatly benefited the story. I however am looking forward to the next installment.
As with all reviews this is my opinion and it may not be how the next reader feels at all. I found the Julii to be fascinating but in the beginning when she repeats the same thing over and over about how her Robert is going to wake up and goes on little mental tangents makes her seem so much younger and unintelligent than she actually is. Also as her story progresses she consistently repeats the same words or berets herself for miss-naming something even if its only in her own head. Such as when she calls a house a teepee or a wagon a carriage.
I love how strong Julii becomes though and despite everything she goes through she triumphs and takes care of those around her. Now if your the type of reader that doesn't like a sad ending then this may not be the book for you. However, if you enjoy a read with a strong woman who knows her own mind and has her ups and downs then this is perfect.
The other reason for 3 stars instead of 4 is that I believed the pacing to be a bit quick and not enough detail given in regards to other characters points of view which I feel would have greatly benefited the story. I however am looking forward to the next installment.
April 29, 2017
Simon Rumney treats us with another strong female who had been misled, misused, and misunderstood when all she truly wanted was to be with the man she loves. Unknowingly it was her testimony that condemned him because of the prejudice feelings towards Indians when they were rounded up many years ago to take their “trail of tears”. Her tribe was hidden in the mountains of Tennessee and only discovered when Robert Calhoun was injured and needed nursing.
Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe deals heavily on prejudice feelings between the races. As Robert loves the woman who nursed him back to health, Julii is completely confused with how the white men think. How could someone hate her without even meeting her? Questions continually run through her mind as she learns the English language. At times she has to step back and lick her wounds, but she forces her anger for the injustice to drive her forward.
Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe deals heavily on prejudice feelings between the races. As Robert loves the woman who nursed him back to health, Julii is completely confused with how the white men think. How could someone hate her without even meeting her? Questions continually run through her mind as she learns the English language. At times she has to step back and lick her wounds, but she forces her anger for the injustice to drive her forward.
May 1, 2017
Our Eternal Curse: Another Tribe written by Simon Rumney is the second book in this series. I personally have not read the first in the series, but had no problems following along with the happenings in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would going based on the cover and description. This novel is wonderfully written, with each piece flowing together seamlessly. The pace is steady and this book is full of drama, mystery, adventure, and heroism all while staying true to the historical fiction genre. The author’s writing is superb full of descriptions and details that really add to the story and draws the reader into the action, to the point that I had finished the book before I had even realized how far I was! I found myself extremely happy to be reading about Julii, the female lead in this novel. Julii is a native woman living in a world ruled by white, privileged men and I found this idea to be completely relatable, as even in this day and age, racism and sexism is quite common. This story was compelling and very believable. Highly recommend this book and series!
January 16, 2019
I am the first to admit that I find a genre I love and stick with it. Historical drama/romance is most certainly not that genre for me. Our Eternal Curse - Another Tribe is just that. Also, it's a good book! I loved Julii. The innocent way she described and experienced things without coming off as an imbecile was fascinating. That she managed to somehow keep a positive state of mind throughout it all is refreshing. It really made you think about the way Native Americans experienced white men. This story drives home the level of prejudice, racism, ignorance, and intolerance that somehow justified the terrible things we did to an entire race of people. I found myself wanting to yell at Julii to just stay away from the white world, to send Robert away because I knew what was coming for her out there. If only her tribe could have stayed untouched by the cruelty of what had surrounded them. Everything after she rides away with Robert comes as you fast and furiously and all you can do it hold on for the ride. Overall the book is brutal, heartbreaking, thrilling and beautiful.
June 7, 2017
The author does a good job of peaking interest early. The story is well written and may be considered a love story by some. Julii is the center of the story. She is a native American from Tennessee who is dealing with the white world she is surrounded by. The story is fast paced and in depth. There are some good twists in the story. Julii turns out to be very smart and becomes an intricate part of the confederate blockade runners. Good story line and fun read.
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