Language of the Bear – Tomahawk and Saber – Volume One. Evan Ronan and Nathaniel Green. Calhoun
Publishing. July 2015. 260 pp. ISBN#:
9780996495800.
An
English soldier, Lieutenant Hugh Pike, and a Native American Susquehannock
warrior, Wolf Tongue (named as Isaac for a Christian name although he is
clearly not a Christian), are thrown together on a mission. They are both disconcerted by the ultimate
act they must commit – the assassination of a violent, capable killer who is
trying to recruit fighters to defeat the English. Sounds simple, but it’s anything but easy!
To
begin with both men have asked for a prize for the risk and completion of their
task, a beloved lady – Damaris and Fox’s Smile respectively – each will wed
after completing their job. But their
task is an almost impossible one in which they will encounter and perhaps
survive every possible danger in the Pennsylvania mountains and country. Their goal in this first of what will be a
series is to find and deal with a man named Azariah or Storm-of-Villages.
What
is fascinating, as this novel progresses are three aspects. One is the description of the beautiful land
Pike and Wolf Tongue traverse, sometimes easily and sometimes with great
challenges like climbing cliffs and fording fiercely moving rivers. One can almost smell the turning colors of
leaves and pine of the forests. Both men
are rugged enough to clear paths and camp comfortably even in the fiercest of
cold weather.
The
second intriguing portion is that Azariah actually has many supporters who
believe in his mission to be rid of the English and restore the land to its
native status. His charisma and cruelty
bring his supporters to unbridled obedience and fear and it is believed that he
is unconquerable.
Friends
are really foes and vice versa in this plot that grows complicated because of
our main characters never knowing who can be trusted and the crafty movements
of their enemy.
The
third engaging aspect is the relationship that develops between Pike and Wolf
Tongue which includes what they truly believe.
That difference both divides and eventually unites them. As they journey back and forth between their
home territory and that of Azariah, they develop a friendship that will endure
physical wounds, struggle in the territory that is untamed and their wavering,
private reflections between courage and doubt.
All
in all, Language of the Bear is a
terrific read whose fans will be looking forward to the next novel in this
story of pre-Revolutionary colonials and Native American residents. Nicely
crafted, Ronan and Green!
No comments:
Post a Comment