Daughter of the Sky
by Michelle Diener
Paperback, 340 pages
Published March 1st 2013 by Michelle Diener
Premise:
The Victorian Empire has declared war on the Zulus if they don't accede to their outrageous demands. The clock is ticking down to the appointed hour. With no idea why the British are marching three massive columns of men and guns towards them, one Zulu general is prepared to take an impossible risk. But the life he's gambling with isn't his own . . .
The sole survivor of a shipwreck off the Zululand coast, 15 year-old Elizabeth Jones is taken in by the Zulus, the people of the sky. Six years later, her white skin becomes useful to the Zulu army as they try to work out why the Victorian Empire has pointed their war-machine at the Zulu nation. Elizabeth is suddenly Zululand's most important spy.
While infiltrating the British camp, Elizabeth's disguise as a young soldier is uncovered almost immediately by Captain Jack Burdell. However, he believes the tale she spins of searching for a missing brother and shields her from discovery, allowing her to bunk in his tent and giving her a job as his batman. Burdell is war-weary and disillusioned - no longer willing to follow regulations at all costs.
But as Elizabeth and Jack explore their growing attraction to each other, the two armies move towards their inevitable clash. Elizabeth is torn between the guilt of betrayal and her fierce loyalty to her Zulu family, and when Zulu and British meet on the battlefield, both she and Jack find their hearts and their lives caught in the crossfire.
My Review:
This book was like a leap into another age and different culture for me. There are so many things I loved… the Zulus. Wow. I love their pride, their loyalty, their respect for each other. Elizabeth is known as Inyoni, the bird… the daughter of sky, she rises out of lightning and a sinking ship to embrace her Zulu family. The way she becomes the sister of the Lindani who rescues her… he brings the beauty and depth of the Zulu people alive.
Jack Burdell is a great contrast. He sees Elizabeth as a woman,
even when she’s hiding in the British army as a soldier. He is enthralled with
the wild, Zulu side of her and they have so much in common with their family roots. I
really love their attraction. There’s so much hesitation, potential for misunderstanding,
false starts… and all that sensual tension. Their love-making dips into the
adult spectrum with the wild abandoned joy of Elizabeth’s Zulu-learned love of
life.
Very sadly for me, and yet richer for it, this book balances
the heights of love with the depths of war… or rather, the other way around.
With adult-flavored nitty-grittiness, the two armies line up against each
other, the Zulus against the British in what can only end in tragedy. The
details of the 1st’s and 24th’s describing which
battalion or column went where got knotted up in my brain. I really tried to
pay attention and piece it out, too… figuring who went where, who stayed, who
was who… there were a lot of details. I wanted to point out that they
detracted from the story. Lol. Until I read the Epilogue and saw how
meticulously true to history these details were.
Suddenly… I realized that this book isn’t just a great story
with characters that stole my heart and an entire way of life that I will
remember forever… but it’s a crazy-great history lesson in what happened to the
Zulus when the British invaded their land in Africa. Without realizing I was
swallowing so much historical accuracy, I gobbled up a book I could hardly put
down. Talk about taking yer medicine with a spoonful of sugar!!
In short… this book is fast-paced and full of tension. The
characters are multi-dimensional and amazing. The POV changes some with diary
entries and random letters home interspersed with military notes. The story
dives into adult themes that leave me sighing at the end, satisfied just
enough, but also weeping inside over injustices. I am glad that I read this
book and I’ll remember it.
Anyone interested in this historical time period of Britain or Africa and especially the Zulus should read this book, absolutely. Must. I also recommend this book to anyone interested in a historic romance or strategic war… different cultures. This is the sort of book that would be awesome as assigned literature. Lol. It’s accurate enough and yet so rich in storytelling, too.
Anyone interested in this historical time period of Britain or Africa and especially the Zulus should read this book, absolutely. Must. I also recommend this book to anyone interested in a historic romance or strategic war… different cultures. This is the sort of book that would be awesome as assigned literature. Lol. It’s accurate enough and yet so rich in storytelling, too.
My Rating: 4.65 - If I was handing this book to myself... I would tell myself to not sweat over the strategic details. I would say, "Just enjoy the story... it's amazing." I might also hand myself a box of tissues.
About the Author:
A new historical novel, set during the Napoleonic Wars in London in 1811, THE EMPEROR'S CONSPIRACY, is set for a November 27th, 2012 release.
Michelle also contributed a short paranormal story to the ENTANGLED entitled BREAKING OUT. All the proceeds of the sale of ENTANGLED go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Michelle grew up in South Africa, and now lives in Australia with her husband and two children
Find & Follow:
Get Your Copy:
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Amazon:
$3.99
