The Return

Northkill Amish #2

by Bob Hostetler, J.M. Hochstetler

Jakob Hochstetler’s refusal to take up arms against the Indians who attacked his Amish family’s home on the Pennsylvania frontier during the brutal raids of the French and Indian War cost the lives of his wife and two of his children. Carried away with his younger sons, Jakob is enslaved by the Seneca, while Joseph and Christian are adopted into different divisions of the Lenape tribe and struggle to adapt to new lives.

Jakob plots a perilous escape in spite of overwhelming odds against succeeding. But even if he can get away, could he survive a harrowing journey over the hundreds of miles of rugged terrain that lie between him and his Northkill community? Does home still exist? Are his older son and daughter, Johannes and Barbara, still alive? Will he ever find his boys and bring them home?

Genres: Amish, Historical Fiction

480 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2017

About the author

Bob Hostetler is an award-winning writer, editor, and speaker from southwestern Ohio. His books, which include the award-winning Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door (co-authored with Josh McDowell) and the novel, The Bone Box, have sold over 3 million copies. He has won two Gold Medallion Awards, four Ohio Associated Press awards, and an Amy Foundation Award. He is the founding pastor of Cobblestone Community Church in Oxford, Ohio. He and his wife Robin have two grown children, Aubrey and Aaron, who have given them four beautiful grandchildren.

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Return is the conclusion to the story that began in Northkill. Both novels are based upon Jakob Hostetler's life. The Return is an interesting look at what it was like for Amish captured by Indians and later returned.

While I didn't enjoy The Return as much as Northkill, both novels include lots of description and history to make the pages come alive. The Return included fabulous character growth. I especially loved the character growth of Jakob and his commitment to his family.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Return #2 Northkill the Amish***** by J. M. Hochstetler and Bob Hochstetler

1757....It has been weeks of hard traveling over hundreds of miles since Jakob Hochstetler and his two youngest sons—15-year old Christian and 11-year old Joseph—were captured by the raiding Indians and taken far away from their Northkill home—now ruined plantation—on the Pennsylvania frontier. They haven't arrived at their distention yet, but what will they encounter once there? How can he keep his sons safe and will he be able to free them from their captives and return home?—he prays so, oh, he prays so. Ultimately, Jakob is taken away from Christian and Joseph and is enslaved by the Seneca. Joseph and Christian, however, are adopted into different divisions of the Lenape tribe and struggle to adapt to new lives.

I cannot imagine what must have went though the minds of Jakob and his sons as they witnessed the bloody battle at their home, taken captive and whisked away hundreds of miles. At least they had each other on this horrendous trip, but then to be separated at the end of that long, torturous trip must have been devastating. Now they must learn to live among a people they can't communicate with, who have strange ways and customs. Will they forget their God and take up a strange god? Or will they hold tight to their faith and trust that God has a plan even in this? What of the rest of Jakob's family that was left behind in Northkill? How are they coping not knowing what has become of their father and brothers? Will they trust God to bring Jakob and his sons home?

What follows is a gripping story with vivid, very detailed descriptions of the lives of Jakob, Christian, Joseph and their family. There is so much to this story that captured my heart, at times brought tears or smiles, had me fearful or joyful—an emotional roller-coaster ride that had me turning page after page until I finished the book. The heartbreak, tragedies and grief this family endured, joys—yes there are joys—and the difficult struggles and challenges they encountered—and overcame with God's help—and yet they held onto their faith and each other and continued on is inspiring and all the more remarkable as it is based on true events of the authors' ancestors. It helped to have the map included in this book as well, which I referred to during Jacob and his children's ordeal and gives a glimpse of the perilous path they had traveled. It would be helpful to read the first book, Northkill, prior to reading this book in order to get a feel of what transpired prior to their capture. The Return is full of heart-pounding suspense and drama, an inspirational story that is now listed on my favorite list for 2017.

~I received an ARC and a copy of the book from the author, (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start out by saying that I think it is positively cool to know where you have come from.
(I know not of my real ancestors as I am adopted).
Joan has written a fascinating and fabulous story about the Amish unlike any other book!!!
A little violence in the story but otherwise it is a story of courage, redemption and most of all a fierce determination to survive anything that was thrown their way.
I really can't imagine America being that young!
I oftentimes wonder what people back then who have worked so hard for what they have would think about today's world.
I sometimes wish that I could travel back in time to see first hand how they lived and this is where I know that the author has done a wonderful job in bringing people, places, and towns to life.
I admire Jakob very much!!! His strength and the will to survive his ordeal was truly amazing!!! I also admired his quiet Faith.
Faith is why we came from the old world to the new to worship as God's will.
Joseph and Christian amaze me too. What experiences they must've gone through. The hardships.
I feel like I have learned a lot through Joans books and I truly enjoyed reading about the Amish of Northkill.
Joan will keep you turning the pages until the end and leave you thinking about it until the end and long after!!!!
I strongly recommend this book and gave it a 5 stars because it was fast paced and there were several scenes that were my favorite.
I received a complimentary copy from from the author and in no way required to review this book.
All words are my my own.

[Debi M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

the Indian captives struggle

this story pulls you into the hardship and grace of these captives, totally immersing you in the history. the story kept my attention to where I took the time to read it all in one day, and I can't wait to read more!

[Jocelyn Green]

The Return is a marvel. With unflinching commitment to history and an artist's palette of imagery, the authors have offered a rare and important tale that will break your heart and piece it back together again. My life is richer for having experienced this novel.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different than book 1

Still based as much as possible on research of the family AND the history of the area, book 2 follows what happened to those who were captured as well of those who decided to remain in the Northkill area while many fled. Eventually all three captives return but not easily and two not willingly.

I do recommend this book but please read book 1 first. In fact, I would say it is crucial for you to do so. For me, book 2 moved at a much slower pace. That wasn't a bad thing ... Just something I noticed vs book 1.

[Larry Hostetler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, one of the authors is my brother, but I don't always give his writings five stars. So while you can expect some familial grade inflation my ratings have not always exceeded his average.

This, the second novel in a trilogy based on true events of our ancestors, is more than I expected.

While it recounts the events surrounding the lives of three Jacob Hochstetler family members after they were taken by native Americans, and their return, it is more than that. Meticulously researched, the story is very instructive (to me) in what it was like to live in several native communities in western Pennsylvania.

In fact, while the story focuses on the lives of three males in the household that was attacked in the first volume, and is written from their three experiences, it shows many aspects of life in those communities (I'd never realized the extent to which many native Americans lived in residential communities as opposed to being nomadic.) The culture, lifestyle, challenges, and even a little of the language, are all presented in ways sympathetic to both cultures.

The escape and return of the patriarch, Jacob, and the eventual return of his two sons form the multiple plots of the story. With military and political considerations as well as religious and other aspects, there is much to learn from this story while being entertained as well.

I wonder what is left for the third part of the trilogy; the first two exceed expectations, only raising the bar for the third. Good luck.

A very good read.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whole premise of this book series was an interesting one to me as a family historian: the authors both trace their lineage to the father of the family they have chosen to fictionalise. Jakob Hostettler's family was attacked by Indians, with half being killed, and half being carried captive to the Indians' territory. (I use Indian here because that is the term the authors use. My Canadian sensibilities would rather I use the term Indigenous, or Native . . . but I digress). That is where the first book ends.
The second book chronicles what we were told in the notes of the first book: that Jakob and his two sons who were taken captive all eventually returned from that captivity to find out if any of their family on the Northkill were still alive.
So, going into this novel, I kinda knew what would happen . . . eventually. The story the authors weave of how Jakob, Joseph, and Christian arrive to that point is by turns exciting, endearing, nerve-wracking, and heartbreaking. But, always enthralling. I couldn't help but put myself in their moccasins, and wonder what my own reactions would have been in the same situations.
That said, what really shone for me in this book was the faith message: that even the 'years that the locust has eaten' can be redeemed by Christ our Saviour. That if we hold fast to Him, He can bring about good things from seemingly irredeemable situations.
4.5 stars

[Elaine Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up ‘til 2 am this morning so I could finish “The Return” by Bob Hostetler and J.M. Hochstetler. This heart rending saga relates the story of an Amish family whose lives were shattered when Indians attacked their home and three family members were killed while three were kidnapped. This novel (actually book 2 of the Northkill Amish Series) is based on true events. It was also written by descendants of the family, who obviously poured themselves into the research behind this book and produced a stellar series.

I barely know where to begin with my review because this book is more than a historical tale. It is a life changing experience as you read about people of faith who must deal with the reality that God sometimes allows suffering. The why of it is not always plainly seen. Sometimes God’s truth and purposes in that suffering are revealed in time. Yet there are situations in life that make no sense from our earthly perspective and may never make sense in this life.

Powerfully written and engaging, “The Return” is a must read for Christians who think that pain and suffering only happens to sinners. For indeed it does, because we all have sinned. Yet not all of us must go through such suffering. Read this series and be changed forever.

Five plus stars.

[Joan Arning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very unusual but riveting is this story of an Amish father and two sons who are stolen by Indians during a raid where the wife and mother and some other children are killed! Each of the captives are taken to different villages and have no contact with one another. The authors describe life with the Lenape in ways I have not seen previously. God works in mysterious ways to bring the living members of this family back together against their wishes. You will learn many historical facts in this book. The account is even more interesting because the authors are descended from the Amish father. I recommend The Return to others who enjoy historical fiction but you will not enjoy this book if you have a weak stomach! I won my copy of The Return from The Sword and Spirit blog. This is my honest opinion.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read “The Return” after being riveted while reading their first book” Northkill”. It was a good book but not quite as exciting at their first. I became a little lost with all the new natives names -, wasn’t sure who was who sometimes. I cannot fathom not remembering your birth first or last name after just five years – especially Joseph who was an older teen when captured. After being torn from their homes and family it appears that they all assimilated into the native lifestyle and were able to make relationships. Even further harder to understand how the two boys did not want to return to their Amish family. I did wonder if Jakob would bring Sunshine and her kids home with him when he escaped. My favourite and most surprising part was when Shinghas asked for forgiveness. The same man who slaughtered the family and stole Jakob and the boys away.

[JP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sequel even more than the first part of the story, and not just because it brought closure. The return fills in the the Hochstetler men's return and reconciliation to their former life. The plot is richer, with each of the three struggling with new and old relationships and the tension between their two now familiar cultures. The authors are effective at exploring the Amish and Lenape belief systems without bordering on polemic. I also appreciate it when historical fiction is overt about what parts of the known history anchor the tale, so that the rest can be transparent exploration of the unknown part.

[Don Hostetler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling drama, the story of a father and two sons taken captive during the French and Indian War is told with rich detail. The use of Indian and German language from time to time helped make the narrative authentic. The authors maintain historical accuracy without sacrificing plot movement. I learned a lot about life in the 18th century, particularly among Native Americans. A terrific example of history told with fictional detail without compromising reality.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Northkill and The Return are best read in sequence as together they tell a full story. When the French and Indian War comes to an end, those who were taken from homes and family are to be returned. But for a child who has lived years with the adoptive family, which family--the first or the last--is the family where the child belongs. This book explores belonging, forgiveness, and the providence of a loving God. Historical fiction buffs should take a look.

[Beverly Duell-Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how loved this book! I admired the determination of Jacob. he never gave up on his faith and trust in God no matter what happened to him or his family. The book kept me entertained from the first word to the last. I found it difficult to put down once I started reading it. Both of the authors did a great job writing about their ancestors.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Return, a heart-rending story of loss and love

Sequels often disappoint. Not The Return. It follows the story of Northkill in a way that brings Christ-filled satisfaction and wonder at the mysterious but always loving ways of God. The story of the Hochstetler family is for everyone who loves God and history. I was sorry to reach the end.

[Beverly Duell-Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacob had such bravery and determination while being held captive. He kept his faith in God that he would find and reunite with his boys. Even though he had great loss when the Indians came he still held on to his faith.

[J.M. Hochstetler]

The Return is coauthored by me, J. M. Hochstetler, and Bob Hostetler.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a really good conclusion to the first book in the series. I really liked the way the story followed Jakob, Joseph and Christian in each of their different situations. It was really interesting to read about the culture of the Lenape Indians. I was struck by the fact that they didn't see that stealing children from their white families was perhaps not a good thing even though they had adopted these children and treated them very kindly. However, the colonists who came to the American Colonies stole the land that the Indians had made their home. And apparently these colonists didn't realize just how wrong that was. I am glad that the author did address the fact that the Amish and their English neighbors were living on land that was taken from the Native Americans.

[Gretchen Vandeneynden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed the first book in the series not so much this one. While this book solved the kidnapping of several members of the family and their return home, it lacked the mystery and suspense of the first. The outcomes are predictable and not very exciting. I enjoy reading about women characters but the only in depth description of female characters was in the first book where the mother and baby were killed by the Indians. This book focused on the return of the kidnapped Amish father and his sons and what they went through as Indian captives. Although this was interesting, it is still an average book.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the continuation of the story that begin in Northkill, the book previous to this one. Jacob and his two sons, Joseph and Christian have been captured by the Indians and are now living among them. Jacob was kept as a slave but eventually escaped. The boys were adopted into loving families and took on Indian identities. Brings Dawn and Star Catcher became their new names. Eventually after many years, due to treaties with the English they were forced to go back to live with the Whites. I was worried how everything would turn out and was relieved at the happy ending. God obviously used their experiences for the greater good.

[Susan J · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Favorite Authors

Read both 1 and 2 in the series and say so grateful l read Laura Frantz endorsed the series and I read both feeling that my love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ is richer, love of family strengthened and historically so rich my cup is full!!! Going for the next series...WOW JUST WOW 10⭐️’s....

[Carol Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational and enlightening as was Northkill Amish Book 1

What a wonderful book, encouraging my faith in our great God and reminding me of His sovereignty in every detail of our lives in this marvelous work of fiction based on historical truth. I loved reading it because I felt like I was there with these lifelike characters feeling their pain, joys and challenges.

[EileenNH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical fiction

The recount of Jakob and his children's story is very detailed. Although there is many religious inferences, I found them important to the story as a whole.

[Nettie · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent account based on a true story. Enjoyed it

[Jessica Brodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first book, and it was excellent. This one is just as good, if not better! I'm just fascinated by all these men and women experienced during such a turbulent time in our nation's history.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

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This book was very inspirational to me revealing that God was also doing a work in the lives of me and my family for good

[Carol Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The continuing historical story of the Hostetler family, an Amish family who received and settled land in Pennsylvania from William Penn. Excellent!