THE PEACEKEEPER by Zoe Saadia

4.5 out of 5 stars

Native American history

On Amazon UK HERE
On Amazon.com HERE

Finally I got around to reading the last one of the four part Peacemaker series ~ and a very satisfactory ending it is too!  Unlike the other three, which have a basis in fact, I believe The Peacekeeper comes purely from the author's imagination.

This is a terrific series.  I found myself picturing them all ~ wise old men sitting around the campfires smoking, the restlessness of the younger warriors, the women in the longhouses, not least of all the rebellious Kahontsi.  In the last episode, 'Great Peacemaker' Two Rivers has done what he set out to do, bringing the Five Nations together, but the question remains: is he truly the messenger of the spirits?  Kahontsi thinks he's just a man, who happens to have a great deal of charisma, and she and others have much to say about the 'test of the falls', which Two Rivers was put through, in the last book ~ did he survive it with help from humans, or by spiritual means, as others think?  Is he just 'a mortal man with an immortal mission'?  Rumblings of dissent are felt, as Tekeni (Two River's companion throughout his adventure) fears that Tadodaho, another clan leader, is unconvinced.

I loved some of the philosophical wisdom in this book; Hainteroh's explanation that a raid on an enemy camp is not always for the purpose of winning a battle or taking captors.  Such proof of victory is not always necessary; the invasion itself can be simply a display of authority ~ a philosophy that could be applied elsewhere and in other areas of life.

I sometimes wonder how Zoe Saadia manages to exist in today's world, as her head is clearly so rooted in these times!  Her writing is so clear, so evocative.  She writes simply, and it really works.  I loved Tekeni's view that, since the clans have been brought together, 'even the elements were happy with all Two Rivers had achieved.  The woods and the lakes and the bright summer sky ... they were all happy now'.  I've always liked Tekeni and I thought this was really sweet.

I'll just give a reminder that it's agreed by many that the latter day USA constitution was influenced by the Great Law of Peace of the Iroquois; this series is a must-read for anyone who is interested in this time.  Lovely ending, too.  Bravo, Zoe Saadia!  

You can see reviews of the other books in this series HERE; there are links to books 2 and 3 after this review of Book 1, Two Rivers 

THE GREAT LAW OF PEACE by Zoe Saadia

5 GOLD STARS

Native American History, Adventure

On Amazon UK HERE
On Amazon.com HERE

You can read a fascinating interview with Zoe about her research for this series, on A Woman's Wisdom blog HERE

What a wonderful story!  This is a real adventure, one of those that keeps giving hope, only to plunge the reader into that 'oh, no, it's all going to go wrong' fear a moment later.  

The third in the series telling a fictional version of the true story of the forming of the Great League of the Five Nations (the Iroquois), this is the most exciting so far, as Two Rivers and sidekick Tekeni struggle cross land and water to deliver the message of peace to the various tribes, encountering resistance on the way.  It's also an amazing two pronged love story, though, as young warrior Tekeni and his love Seketa search for each other, and the great Messenger of peace, Two Rivers, comes to terms with his love for Onheda.  Be prepared for tears in your eyes at about 90%, but I won't give away any more!

There is a marvellous quality to Zoe Saadia's writing in these stories that I can't quite put my finger on; it's as though the 'voice' could be a native American telling this tale around a camp fire; I suspect she might have been one such in a past life!  The narration is so clear, the prose never contrived.  The ending, the coming together of the Great Law is incredibly moving, and, as in the previous book, made me wish I lived in this simpler time with these people.  It made me sad, too, thinking about what happened to them in more recent history, though that is perhaps not to be dwelt upon in a review of this book.  I am sure it will make you feel the same, though.  

Excellent, and I hope I shall get to read the last in the series before too long, after which I shall want to read the People of the Longhouse series, too.  


TWO RIVERS (part 1 of the series) by Zoe Saadia reviewed HERE

ACROSS THE GREAT SPARKLING WATER (part 2 of the series) by Zoe Saadia reviewed HERE

THE HIGHLANDER by Zoe Saadia reviewed HERE

BEYOND THE GREAT RIVER by Zoe Saadia reviewed HERE

ACROSS THE GREAT SPARKLING WATER by Zoe Saadia

5 out of 5 stars

Native American history, adventure

On Amazon UK HERE 

On Amazon.com HERE 

Reviewed by me as part of Rosie Amber's book review team

This is the second in the Peacemaker series, a fictional account based on fact, about how the Great League of the Iroquois was formed.  More than a few scholars agree that the latter day USA constitution was influenced by this Great Law of Peace.  I'll just mention that it's important to read the first in this series, Two Rivers, first.  It's a while since I read the first one so I had to recap, after which the two stories flowed together.

So readable just as an adventure story on its own, Across the Great Sparkling Water (the body of water later to be known as Lake Ontario) is fascinating in that it tells so much about the customs of the time, and the day to day living - and yes, yes, it made me want to go back in time and live amongst them, as all good historical fiction should do.  A time and place when life was lived according to the rules of nature only, but with civilised regimes set in place for the efficient survival of communities.

The Great Peacemaker, named Two Rivers, is marvellously multi-faceted, single-minded in his mission to bring about ruling councils and end the warring between the nations, yet so human, too; unlike others of Zoe Saadia's books that I've read, this one contains an element of love and passion of the more mature variety which is very convincing, as Two Rivers fights his feelings for a woman, concerned that it will distract him from his cause.  Okay, I admit it; I ended up fancying him myself!

There are other terrific characters in this story: Tekeni, from the first book, a young man who accompanies Two Rivers on his journey; Onheda, a fierce and independent young woman trying to return from a kind captivity to her own people; Hionhwatha, the strong, proud, displaced leader of the Onondaga people, and Jikonsahseh, a wise old woman.

This is an excellent series, so well written and easy to read and sometimes quite amusing, too.  I can't recommend it too highly, and I am just off to Amazon to buy the next one!

TWO RIVERS (part 1 of the series) by Zoe Saadia reviewed HERE

THE GREAT LAW OF PEACE (part 3 of the series) by Zoe Saadia reviewed HERE

THE HIGHLANDER by Zoe Saadia reviewed HERE

TWO RIVERS by Zoe Saadia

5 out of 5 stars

History, Native Americans, adventure

Originally posted on Amazon UK on 23 June 2014 HERE
On Amazon.com HERE

I think that historical fiction should be entertaining, while being expertly researched and teaching the reader about the period. Two Rivers ticks these boxes, and more. It's a simple story, written in Zoe Saadia's very, very readable style, but it tells so much. I never knew anything about the Great League of the Iroquois which is said to have been a great influence on the latter day USA constitution - I've started to learn all about it this weekend, whilst reading a cracking good story!

 
Ms Saadia has a wonderful knack of showing how human nature remains the same, in any century and in any setting. Her accounts are not wordy, or overly descriptive, and she never tries to be clever, but her characters and situations are so alive. The writing is never self-conscious, and flows so beautifully that my editing hat falls off, forgotten - a sure sign, for me, that a book is really worth reading! If you have any interest at all in native American history you really should read this, and if you haven't you will still enjoy it. It's a complete story in itself whilst being beautifully set up for the sequel, Across the Great Sparkling Water, which I shall be purchasing shortly!


ACROSS THE GREAT SPARKLING WATER (part 2 of the series) by Zoe Saadia reviewed HERE 

THE GREAT LAW OF PEACE (part 3 of the series) by Zoe Saadia reviewed HERE 

  
 THE HIGHLANDER by Zoe Saadia reviewed HERE