Member Reviews

Virginia Dare is the 1st recorded, English Child born in America. Shannon McNear has written her "coming to womanhood" 📙, "Virginia (Daughters of the Lost Colony Book 4)".

This Finely Crafted, Awesome, Poignant, Historical, Christian, Romance, is a Gem💎. It's best understood by 📖ing the SM's Series Chronologically.. I Loved the Characters, the Plot, & the setting!

I Highly Recommend You 📖 this Engrossing 📙!

Was this review helpful?

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.*

What a wonderful imagining of what could have happened to the lost colony of Roanoke. The author does a great job of using historical information and weaving a story with heartfelt characters and beautiful writing. I truly felt as though I was able to feel what Ginny may have felt when captured and how courageous she was. The faith intermingled all throughout the book really brought the story to life and made me think about my own faith in the face of hardship.

Such a great read. I highly recommend this series if you love historical fiction/Christina fiction.

Was this review helpful?

This is my 1st book by Shannon McNear and I'll absolutely be reading the rest of this series! This is the 4th book about the lost colony of Roanoke and its 1st English born child, Virginia Dare. I was able to read it as a standalone and would recommend to read the series in order. While entirely fictional, the rich and historical details of the various native cultures, as well as that of the,English and Spanish and how they related to each other was excellent and thoughtfully presented. When "Ginny" and her 2 companions are captured, realistic and compelling characters are portrayed and a beautiful faith filled journey is displayed under trying circumstances for all involved. There is some cruelty and a graphic scene that is appropriate for the situation. In addition, there is a clean and realistic romance, prejudice, deep family ties, forgiveness and a Christian theme woven throughout that is a testament to the realness of their faith. I highly recommend this Christian historical book to those wanting to be immersed into well written story about the possibilities of the lost colony of Roanoke. A big note of gratitude to Barbour Fiction and NetGalley for the ARC, it was a privilege to receive it and all opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Virginia Dare sneaks out of a town meeting with her friends Henry and Redbud only to be snatched by a rival band of natives. She's soon claimed by Blackbird as his third woman, but when Virginia refuses him, she escapes with Filipe, a former captive from Spain. But Blackbird isn't satisfied with her refusal, and he's out for blood.

I initially started reading this book without reading any previous ones in the series. That really didn't work, so I had to go back and read Elinor in order for this book to make sense. It wasn't my favorite read at the beginning, but it got better towards the end. It took me a minute to relate to Ginny.

Was this review helpful?

Shannon McNear quickly captured my attention when I heard she was going to pen a series about the missing colony of Roanoke. She skillfully wove an incredible amount of historical detail from her prodigious research. My imagination was quickly captured by the conjectures of what might have been if even one colonist survived.

As I read Ginny's story, I was happy to revisit beloved characters from the earlier novels of this series. While each book can be read as a standalone, I would recommend you read the books in order.

The story speculates on what might have happened if Ginny had been captured as a young woman. It follows her through months of captivity and her courageous stand she takes for her faith. The series has focused on the relationship between the English and the spiritual battle between Christianity and the religions of the native peoples of America.

As with her mother before her, Ginny quickly wins respect for her gentle heart and her strong and courageous spirit. I loved the hero's journey of faith. This is the perfect blend of history and fiction, of tragedy and loss, of love and friendship. Most of all it tells a compelling story of sacrifice, grace and redemption. Readers will find themselves lost within the pages, drawn into the world of early colonial America.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Daughters of the Lost Colony is a wonderful series. In this fourth and final book I have enjoyed journeying with Shannon McNear in her speculative story of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World, who disappeared along with the entire population of the Roanoke Colony. The story was so powerful and vivid that I had to remind myself that, while well-researched, it is a speculative story as nothing is known in history of Virginia following her grandfather's leaving the colony when she was only nine days old to return to England for additional support for Roanoke. McNear portrays her as a young woman of faith who displays great courage and integrity, if also on the untamed side. I highly recommend this book, and suggest reading the first and second book of this series prior to reading this one. The third book feels like a bonus book to the series as it isn't as strongly linked to the Roanoke Colony or the characters we came to know in the first two books. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I was enthralled from start to finish by this captivating story. McNear has truly created a Christian fiction series that should be beloved from years to come- Elinor, Mary, Rebecca and now Virginia. The characters grip at your heart, the relationships are so real, the challenges heartbreaking, the romances nuanced, yet full of passion and redemptive threads are weaved through each of these tale. What a gift McNear has shared with her readers. Virginia is the perfect addition to this compelling series.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Virginia, fourth book in the Daughters of the Lost Colony Series by Shannon McNear brings the reader to probably the most famous of the Lost Colony members. It explores not only what could have happened to the baby Virginia, the first English child born in the New World but to the entire colony.

I live in a part of the US that speculates much on the strange disappearance of the colony. More than one theory claims to be the truth here where I live but none proven without huge doubts. I love that this series takes on a Christian perspective because it must have taken great faith to have ventured such a journey. A beautiful blend of what is known historical fact with excellent fiction writing. A classic novel in the making that the “white Doe” would approve.

Was this review helpful?

As a big fan of historical fiction, I am always looking for new additions to my reading.

Virginia has been quite a journey, back to those times when the colonists were arriving in the new world and how the intersections between different cultures developed.

I certainly didn't expect it to have a Christian background when I started reading it, thanks to my dislike of reading synopses of anticipated readings, but it was enjoyable and I think it added a nice touch to this story.

A book to get to know a little more about Colonial America in a fictional setting.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for providing my honest opinions.

Was this review helpful?

Shannon McNear has written another outstanding installment to her Daughters of the Lost Colony series. In Virginia, we have the story of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in North America. And, goodness, does McNear ever deliver a powerful story! Filled with a mix of tenderness and danger, Virginia is a tale of deep emotion that continues to encompass your very being as the book progresses. McNear did an exceptional job of melding history and fiction, embedding the truth of Christ every step of the way. The complexity of the characters and the genuine fight for truth was mesmerizing. Truly, this is a story you FEEL deep within your core.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone

Was this review helpful?

Very little is known about what happened to the settlers of Roanoke in the late 1500s. But with extensive research and her fertile imagination, Ms. McNear has woven a captivating story of Virginia Dare, the first English baby born on North American soil.
Since their disappearance, with the only clue the word Croatoan carved on a tree, the colony is thought to have moved inland and assimilated into a friendly indigenous tribe. The story fleshes out what could have happened as Ginny grew up, was captured by a rival tribe and how God furthered His kingdom in the New World.
Great faith was shown by the colonists as they rely on God for provision and as they convert the tribe to Salvation in Christ. “Twas God, the Lord of every tribe, tongue, nation, whether they owned Him or not, who held them in His hands, after all.”
A wonderfully crafted story full of danger, villainy, but also of love, integrity, sacrifice and redemption. It was a true joy to read.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

Was this review helpful?

Virginia by Shannon McNear is a well written historical book. Very good plot and character dynamics. If you enjoy historical novels you would probably enjoy this book. I received an ARC from Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

Was this review helpful?

book 4 of 5 - This is the story of Virginia Dare, of the Lost Colony. I found it very interesting. It's a time of early American history. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. This review is my feelings towards the book.

Was this review helpful?

Virginia by Shannon McNear is Christian Historical Fiction about the famous early American Lost Colony.
I read an historical account of Virginia Dare as a child and her story has fascinated me since that time. Shannon McNear writes from a Christian perspective with historical facts and weaves a fictional story of what might have been. The characters are portrayed from their own cultural backgrounds. I loved the examples of how many people came to a personal belief in Christ because of the life lived by believers and after the Gospel was shared with them. The complete faithfulness of God is evident in the life of each character, even in the lives of unbelievers. I have enjoyed every book in the series Daughters of the Lost Colony.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

Was this review helpful?

It is very apparent that the author cares a great deal about the history of this time period and the extensive research that must have occurred for this book and previous ones in the series. I agreed to read and review, in part, as an avid Colonial America enthusiast.

When researching this series, I chose to skip the first three books due to the brutal reality of English vs Native tribes sometimes were. I gathered from the book blurb for this book that although the main character had native lineage, this storyline would be Virginia's experience beyond that reality.

My mistake. When the book began, I knew I may be in trouble because a glossary was included - that's needed for the native words and such.

However, the brutal scene midway turned my stomach. I know why the author included the 'act' as a picture of the faith message, but did not like the scene just the same. I am simply not the right audience intended.

I enjoyed the author's writing style and the faith message was deep and wide and I commend the author for that!

Was this review helpful?

Virginia Dare, one of the first children born in the new world and a member of the lost Roanoke Colony, is becoming a women. She and her family have been living with the Native Americans. She makes one mistake and gets taken captive by a rival Native American tribe along with two other boys her age. This novel explores what may have happened to Virginia based on the history of America at the time of the Roanoke Colony.

I really was intrigued by the story of this book and wanted to enjoy it. However, this book wasn't a good fit for me and I did not finished it. It was difficult for me to get invested in the characters of this book because the perspective of the book would abruptly change. It caused me to constantly back track to see if I had missed something. I enjoy a book with multiple perspectives, but I would be reading from Virginia's perspective and then it would switch for two paragraphs to Felipe's, one of the other characters, only to go back to Virginia's. This made it difficult for me to connect to any of the characters and focus on the story.

This book was a great stand alone, and you could tell that the author put a lot of time into the research, I was never confused as to what was going on having not read the previous books. This was not the right book for me, but I think it would be great for readers who are interested in the early American colonist and enjoy a novel that hops from perspective to perspective to show all angles of a story.

Was this review helpful?

I've been agreeably surprised by "Virgina". I chose it first for its beautiful cover, and second because, as a European, I wasn't very familiar with the Lost Colony but still intrigued by it.

This book is entirely fictional — the author imagines what could have happened to the first European settlers who mysteriously disappeared from the island where they'd installed their colony. Previous books in the series follow other protagonists, while "Virginia" follows the adventures of the first English child born in the New World, Virginia (aka Ginny). Taking place in 1602, when Ginny is 14, the story follows her life amongst her friends and family, a mix of British and Native Americans (the "People"); her capture by an enemy tribe; and her subsequent adventures.

The protagonists were rather well-developed, the secondary characters less so. I found Ginny a little irritating and immature at times, but it was actually a good reminder of her only being fourteen, and yet with heavy responsibilities already.

I enjoyed learning more about the People, their customs, lifestyle, traditions, and how the First Settlers might have adapted their habits to that of the New World. This historic fiction ended up being more of a romance than I expected, and much more religious than I thought. There were entire sections that were like reading a sermon; and while I don't mind religious references, this was too heavy on religion for my taste, especially as I find the book wasn't marketed as such.

I enjoyed this book and would happily read the rest of the series if I get the chance. 4.5 stars.

*I received a free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion*

Was this review helpful?

McNear’s very well researched fictionalized story of Virginia Dare is one that you won’t forget. Several nights I stayed up late because I couldn’t put down this engrossing story. Even though the practices of different people groups during the early 1600’s was sometimes hard to hear about, the author draws out the good and hope throughout heartbreak and extremely difficult circumstances. The beautiful faith lessons make this novel a worthy read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because of knowing characters and storylines from the previous books in the Daughters of the Lost Colony series. However, Virginia is so good that it can be read and fully appreciated on its own. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this Christian historical fiction novel that imagines what happened to the first English baby born in the New World, Virginia Dare. The historical record points to the settlers moving to a nearby island and becoming part of the local Native Americans tribe but there is no definitive proof of their survival. In this novel, the fourth in the Daughters of the Lost Colony series, Virginia is a teenager who is kidnapped by another tribe. Forced to live as a captive among the fierce warriors, she keeps her faith in God as she tries to survive.

I loved this redemptive story and its focus on God’s unwavering love and guiding hand even amidst challenging times. It was so refreshing to read about believers and their strong faith in a historical novel. And I loved how I learned about the way the settlers from other countries and tribes viewed God and a personal relationship with Him. While not shying away from the hard things that happened historically, the author does a wonderful job at writing a hopeful story that leaves your heart full.

Since these novels are all based on known history, you don’t have to read the others in the series first. After reading this book and enjoying it, I can’t wait to read the other books to round out my knowledge.

Was this review helpful?

This is the fourth and final book in the Lost Colony of Roanoke series. There is still conflict brewing
amongst the coastal tribes along with white, mainly English, settlers. I found this book to be very
emotional as three young adults are captured during a raid on Core Banks, the English and native
combined settlement. Their strong faith may make their lives difficult as captives. Or will they be able to
lead others to their faith? Will they be reunited with their families in this world? This book does bring
out the need for a strong belief in God and Jesus and quotes scripture throughout.
I have read all four books and have learned much I wasn’t aware of and believe the novel with some
fictional characters adds to the interest more than just facts. I highly recommend this series.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?