The Last Sister

Starred review from September 15, 2014
The events of the Anglo-Cherokee War in 1759-60 in South Carolina are brought vividly to modern readers in a meticulously researched tale. Seventeen-year-old Catriona suffers grievous losses when her parents and brother are murdered by fellow settlers in a raid meant to look like an attack by Cherokee warriors. She is determined not only to escape to a British fort, but to somehow bring the murderers to justice. Traversing unforgiving terrain through Cherokee territory, she is severely wounded and her younger brother killed when they are attacked by a catamount. She is rescued and cared for by Malcolm Craig, who is in hiding for reasons of his own. Eventually, they reach the fort only to find more horrific troubles and deaths. A final meeting with her enemy ends in vengeance if not justice. The plot is dense and filled with violence and unremitting pain. Catie is not a perfect heroine; she doubts her decisions and believes that, like the last of the three Fates of Greek myth, she is the instrument of death. The author has wisely chosen to forgo the use of Colonial-era dialect, but all the elements of the tale are perfectly in keeping with the setting and time. Patient and sophisticated readers will find the story compelling and deeply moving and its heroine unforgettable. (author's note, sources) (Historical fiction. 15-18)

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November 1, 2014

Gr 7 Up-This historical novel is set in the Carolinas during the Cherokee Wars, concurrent with Thomas Jefferson and John Adams writing the Declaration of Independence and George Washington navigating the Delaware River. Seventeen-year-old Catie Blair is forced to conjure up maturity and responsibility when tragedy strikes her family. She relies on the kindness of strangers as she makes her way on the frontier with danger everywhere (soldiers, Indians, and wild animals), not to mention meager food and shelter. Even as daily challenges abate, she finds herself embroiled in a love triangle that pushes her to reckon with what she believes and what she wants for her future. The novel is noteworthy for its setting, circumstances germane to Colonial American history yet little known. The spotlight shifts south to a geopolitical conflict that deadlocked the British and French and also drew in innocent bystanders. There are several conflicts in this tale, including battles involving the Scots, the colonialists, and Native Americans. Unfortunately, there was a missed opportunity to include more details about Cherokee culture and motivations. Excellent character development is showcased in the narrative with its portrayal of the protagonist's struggle under difficult circumstances when facing tough choices in the crossfire. A unique historical fiction title with a compelling plot and unique backdrop, taking place during a little-known skirmish in a pivotal time of American history.-Amy Thurow, New Glarus School District, WI

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