#ThrowbackThursday – Two Rivers (The Great Peacemaker Series #1) by Zoe Saadia

Renee began the #ThrowbackThursday meme on her blog, “It’s Book Talk“ to share some of her old favorites as well as sharing books published over a year ago. Hopefully, you’ll find either a story or author that interests you and you’ll check them out. And, if you’d like to join the fun, you’re welcome to use Renee’s pic from her website. Just provide the link back to her please).

This week I am highlighting Zoe Saadia, another terrific, prolific author who wrote several series, this one Two Rivers of the Peacemaker series number one of four, which I reviewed on Goodreads. This historical fiction novel was published in 2013. She consistently runs approximately 4.5 stars for any of her books sold on Amazon.

Originally posted October 15, 2015

Book Blurb:

Having survived the failed raid on the enemy lands, Tekeni had no illusions. He was nothing but an enemy cub, adopted into one of the clans, but not accepted, never for real. To fit in was difficult, to run away – impossible. To get into trouble, more often than not, was the only available option. They did not expect anything else from him, anyway.

However, when a meaningless row during a ballgame grew out of proportion, resulting in a fight, Tekeni has found himself in a truly grave trouble. Neither he nor anyone else could have foreseen the chain of events the consequences of this fight would release, when the highly esteemed but controversial Two Rivers decided to help Tekeni out.

Two Rivers was a strange person with unacceptable notions and ideas. He maintained that to war on and on was a mistake of disastrous consequences. He went as far as suggesting a negotiation of peace with some of the neighboring nations. Even Tekeni, the despised enemy, thought such ideas to be far-fetched and wild. And yet…

With their trouble mounting and the revengefulness of some people around them growing, both Tekeni and Two Rivers find themselves pushed beyond limits.

My Review:

I love stories of early America; including this that paint such a vivid picture you could almost be there, helping to grind the corn.

This particular story examines the history of the twelfth-century Native American nations describing the vicious cycle of fighting that descended between the northeastern tribes and the “Peacemaker” that pervades their midst. This is a fascinating and well-researched look into the early beginning efforts to form the Great League of the Iroquois.

The Tribal Council and Clan Council had long ago set into place a set of laws that had governed them in a democratic way of life until an “eye for an eye” became the way of life. The boy, Tekeni, is adopted into his enemies clan after his own father, a war chief from the other side of the “Great Sparkling Water” is killed.

The Wolf clan’s adopted child, however, meant to replace one lost of their own, never really fits in. Sullen and a trouble-maker, he looks forward to a time when he can be respected. He is taken under the wing by another of the tribe’s outcast, twin-protagonist Two Rivers. Two Rivers espouses philosophical ways of preaching peace that has alienated his own people to the point of making him as much a pariah as the one he seeks to protect. He views Tekeni as a young innocent caught in a morass of misunderstandings and seeks to educate and protect him.

Tekeni becomes subject to the grizzly test and wins with some help from Two Rivers, which help is not normally allowed. However, killing the giant grizzly has somewhat eased tensions for the boy until a cowardly and jealous peer from another clan creates a deadly situation from which he’ll not find retribution.

As Two Rivers has become increasingly haunted by a prophecy birthed with him and growing ever insistent, he realizes that he must flee with Tekeni (who was evidently meant to be part of the prophecy), leaving behind Tekeni’s lover from the Turtle class, Seketa.

Both Seketa and Tekeni vow to be together again but the road to peace promises to be a rocky one for Two Rivers. It will not be an easy battle–and first Tekeni and Two Rivers must set out on their quest by surviving a trip across the “Great Sparkling Water” (lake). The storyline breathes the tension-filled air that pervades the tribe with the ever-present fight to survive, let alone thrive, and the boy and his mentor become a sympathetic force.

This was a free download from BookBub and a good one that I really enjoyed reading and providing a review. Totally recommend this series for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and I’m definitely looking forward to #2 in the series!

Zoe Saadia is the author of several novels of pre-Columbian Americas. From the architects of the Aztec Empire to the founders of the Iroquois Great League, from the towering pyramids of Tenochtitlan to the longhouses of the Great Lakes, her novels bring long-forgotten history, cultures, and people to life, tracing pivotal events that brought about the greatness of North and Mesoamerica.

Having researched various pre-contact cultures of this continent for more than a decade, she is convinced that it’s a shame that such a large part of history was completely overlooked, by historical fiction most of all. Both Americas have an extremely rich, diverse, fascinating history long before this continent came to contact with the rest of the world. So her professional motto is set. America has not been ‘discovered’ by other continents, not yet. Maybe not ever. Not in her novels.

Note: Ms. Saadia has recently released #6 in her Aztec Chronicles, Valley of Shadows, historical account of the fierce battle between forces in Mesoamerica.

More Throwback Thursday Blogs

Renee at Its Book Talk

Jill at Jill’s Book Cafe

Rebecca at The Book Whisperer

Lynne at Fictionophile

Sam at Clues and Reviews

Holly B at Dressedtoread

Deanna at DeesRadReads and Reviews

Amanda at Literary Weaponry

Annie at The Misstery

Mischenko at Read Rant Rock and Roll

Laurie at Cozy Nook Books

Ann Marie at LItWitWineDine

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