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english_lady03's review
4.0
I finally read this, after like two years. Between Two Shores was a really good book, and I think the standout aspect was that it turned out not to be a romance at all, at least not in the traditional sense or with the traditional conclusion.
Kind of like Great Expectations, it showed that you can love someone, without necessarily being together or acting on those feelings.
I have read two other books by this author, and I think BTS was the most complex in terms of storyline, characters, and the historical backdrop, but also the one I enjoyed the most. Katherine's character arc was incredible. Even Samuel's was, but to a lesser extent, and its really good how the conclusion was presented without vilifying him for his choices.
The only thing I found a little confusing was how the timeline kept jumping back and forth. Other that that though, it was a wonderful evocation of the lives of a family caught between two worlds and cultures, and later of a community torn apart by a conflict which was not of thier own making.
Thanks to Bethany House for approving my request for this title on Netgalley. I purchased the ebook of my own volition as well.
Kind of like Great Expectations, it showed that you can love someone, without necessarily being together or acting on those feelings.
I have read two other books by this author, and I think BTS was the most complex in terms of storyline, characters, and the historical backdrop, but also the one I enjoyed the most. Katherine's character arc was incredible. Even Samuel's was, but to a lesser extent, and its really good how the conclusion was presented without vilifying him for his choices.
The only thing I found a little confusing was how the timeline kept jumping back and forth. Other that that though, it was a wonderful evocation of the lives of a family caught between two worlds and cultures, and later of a community torn apart by a conflict which was not of thier own making.
Thanks to Bethany House for approving my request for this title on Netgalley. I purchased the ebook of my own volition as well.
anniejaneb's review against another edition
2.0
Only ok.
Too long of a book, especially when I realized it wouldn’t end how I wanted it to end. Too much historical war details for my liking.
I stayed up way too late to read this and felt like I wasted my sleeping time.
Too long of a book, especially when I realized it wouldn’t end how I wanted it to end. Too much historical war details for my liking.
I stayed up way too late to read this and felt like I wasted my sleeping time.
rosannelortz's review
5.0
Half-Mohawk and half-French, Catherine Duval must choose between the two worlds that formed her. When her mother dies, she decides to leave the Indian camp to keep house for her French father, Gabriel Duval, and manage his trading post. As much as he relies on her, however, she always proves a disappointment to him, and his unhealthy dependence on alcohol frequently leads him to treat her with harshness and violence. This departure from the Mohawk camp is seen as a betrayal by Catherine’s sister, Bright Star, and it is only after years of bitterness, heartache, tragedy, and hope that the sisters bridge the gap between them.
Told in two parallel story lines, ten years apart, the book commences with the return of Samuel Crane, an imprisoned British soldier, to the small Canadian town on the St. Lawrence River. Samuel had been indentured to Gabriel Duval ten years earlier, developing a relationship with Catherine that is now sundered. Resentful of his absence, Catherine finds herself troubled by his return–can it be that he still holds a piece of her heart, even after all these years?
As Catherine struggles to understand her feelings, the war between England and France takes a heavy toll on the Canadian colonies. Famine threatens both Montreal and Quebec, and Catherine helps harvest grain to send to the French soldiers. As her people suffer, she must answer the difficult question: is she willing to aid the enemy just so that the war will end?
The French and Indian War is typically examined from the side of the English, but here, we see the effects of the conflict on both the Canadian colonists and the native tribles. The setting of this story comes to life with ferocious grandeur and startling intensity. The plot itself unfolded beautifully like a flower, with layer after layer of disclosures piquing my interest throughout. At first, the book seems to be a tale of star-crossed lovers (the scene where Samuel takes the beating that Gabriel Duval means for Catherine is romance at its finest), but the story veers like a river channel to the deeper waters of the loyalty that binds family together.
Catherine is a strong, courageous, and capable young woman, trading with the rough men of Canadian territory and braving the rapids of the river in her own canoe, shifting between the many-layered gowns of eighteenth-century French women and the simple deerskin dress of a Mohawk huntress. The secondary characters in this story also stand out. Catherine’s half-brother, Joseph Many Feathers, is a devoted ally to those he calls family, providing meat for their hungry bellies and protection from every threat. Gabriel Duval alternates between apologetic episodes and alocholic rages, never quite accepting Catherine because of her half-breed status but regretful of his behavior when his mind clears. Bright Star, Catherine’s enigmatic sister, bears sorrows too many to count–her true feelings toward Catherine remain elusive even as she grudgingly agrees to assist Catherine in her time of need.
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of early Canada. One of my favorite books as a child was Calico Captive by Elizabeth George Speare, and this book explored the same setting in 1700s Montreal and the same harsh realities of massacre/capture at the hands of the Native Americans. The character arcs were excellent, the surprise twist in the book was wholly a surprise to me, and the dual timeline plot was fresh and well-structured. The only thing that detracted from my enjoyment was the long span of time spent dwelling on the siege of Quebec, but other than that, highly recommended!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Told in two parallel story lines, ten years apart, the book commences with the return of Samuel Crane, an imprisoned British soldier, to the small Canadian town on the St. Lawrence River. Samuel had been indentured to Gabriel Duval ten years earlier, developing a relationship with Catherine that is now sundered. Resentful of his absence, Catherine finds herself troubled by his return–can it be that he still holds a piece of her heart, even after all these years?
As Catherine struggles to understand her feelings, the war between England and France takes a heavy toll on the Canadian colonies. Famine threatens both Montreal and Quebec, and Catherine helps harvest grain to send to the French soldiers. As her people suffer, she must answer the difficult question: is she willing to aid the enemy just so that the war will end?
The French and Indian War is typically examined from the side of the English, but here, we see the effects of the conflict on both the Canadian colonists and the native tribles. The setting of this story comes to life with ferocious grandeur and startling intensity. The plot itself unfolded beautifully like a flower, with layer after layer of disclosures piquing my interest throughout. At first, the book seems to be a tale of star-crossed lovers (the scene where Samuel takes the beating that Gabriel Duval means for Catherine is romance at its finest), but the story veers like a river channel to the deeper waters of the loyalty that binds family together.
Catherine is a strong, courageous, and capable young woman, trading with the rough men of Canadian territory and braving the rapids of the river in her own canoe, shifting between the many-layered gowns of eighteenth-century French women and the simple deerskin dress of a Mohawk huntress. The secondary characters in this story also stand out. Catherine’s half-brother, Joseph Many Feathers, is a devoted ally to those he calls family, providing meat for their hungry bellies and protection from every threat. Gabriel Duval alternates between apologetic episodes and alocholic rages, never quite accepting Catherine because of her half-breed status but regretful of his behavior when his mind clears. Bright Star, Catherine’s enigmatic sister, bears sorrows too many to count–her true feelings toward Catherine remain elusive even as she grudgingly agrees to assist Catherine in her time of need.
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of early Canada. One of my favorite books as a child was Calico Captive by Elizabeth George Speare, and this book explored the same setting in 1700s Montreal and the same harsh realities of massacre/capture at the hands of the Native Americans. The character arcs were excellent, the surprise twist in the book was wholly a surprise to me, and the dual timeline plot was fresh and well-structured. The only thing that detracted from my enjoyment was the long span of time spent dwelling on the siege of Quebec, but other than that, highly recommended!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
ahyggelibrary's review
4.0
A riviting story about a girl learning to embrace her identity in a time when cultures and politics clashed and determined the future of Canada. While it does not have what I would call a HEA, I would recommend it to Canadians due to the impressive way Green illustrates the French-Indian wars.
mariahvangogh's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I would love to say this is awful book but it’s really not. It’s very good.
I was just ticked off because I thought this was gonna be a romance and literally nobody end up together. It’s a sad ending that I was not expecting.
I was just ticked off because I thought this was gonna be a romance and literally nobody end up together. It’s a sad ending that I was not expecting.
betherin02's review
5.0
Full review on FaithfullyBookish.com
Between Two Shores is an all-consuming literary adventure set in the picturesque region surrounding Montreal amidst the turmoil of the Seven Years’ War. Jocelyn Green has gifted readers with a story which opens the mind and wrings the heart. The beauty, faults, and suffering of each represented culture are depicted with honesty, reverence, and grace.
Thanks to the author’s skill and the special gift of historical fiction, I have a better understanding of (and dare I say an emotional connection to) this time period and the people who lived in it. I highly recommend this story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Between Two Shores is an all-consuming literary adventure set in the picturesque region surrounding Montreal amidst the turmoil of the Seven Years’ War. Jocelyn Green has gifted readers with a story which opens the mind and wrings the heart. The beauty, faults, and suffering of each represented culture are depicted with honesty, reverence, and grace.
Thanks to the author’s skill and the special gift of historical fiction, I have a better understanding of (and dare I say an emotional connection to) this time period and the people who lived in it. I highly recommend this story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
breezymor's review
4.0
This is a story of growth and healing. It wasn’t an absolute favorite of mine, but it was a good story. I was a bit disappointed in the lack of romance but that’s just my personal opinion ;) The ending was beautiful and heart warming ♥️
abigailkayharris's review
4.0
I'm surprised by just how much I enjoyed this story since it does not have the usual sort of ending one would expect.
And, I'm glad it ended the way it did, just surprised.
The historical setting is not one I've read often with a character's cures behind what they were.
If you enjoy historical fiction you should definitely check it this book!I
There are some violent descriptions so 16/18 up wild likely be best.
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
And, I'm glad it ended the way it did, just surprised.
The historical setting is not one I've read often with a character's cures behind what they were.
If you enjoy historical fiction you should definitely check it this book!I
There are some violent descriptions so 16/18 up wild likely be best.
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
michellef's review
3.0
Between Two Shores is a Christian historical fiction novel by author Jocelyn Green. My favorite character in the story is Catherine because she is determined and confident. This split-time (1749-1759) novel takes place in Canada, which makes this my first read with a setting in Canada.
I learned that the most notorious raid on a British settlement was one Kahnawake warriors had on Deerfield, Massachusetts, in 1704. There were parts of the story where I wanted to cry. These parts were written particularly well.
Even though I found some parts to be interesting I give this novel three stars because it was difficult for me to understand the majority of it.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
I learned that the most notorious raid on a British settlement was one Kahnawake warriors had on Deerfield, Massachusetts, in 1704. There were parts of the story where I wanted to cry. These parts were written particularly well.
Even though I found some parts to be interesting I give this novel three stars because it was difficult for me to understand the majority of it.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
annicajvv's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Healing comes with a price, and I'm afraid the price is pain. Beyond that, however, is wholeness."