Michelle Diener’s Daughter of the Sky was new territory for me. I knew virtually nothing about the Anglo-Zulu War prior to reading the book, but I was intrigued by the prospect and couldn’t help taking interest in the novel. Looking back, however, I have to admit to feeling the novel’s characters and themes outshone the history on which it was based.

I don’t mean to discount Diener’s illustration of the British invasion of Zululand or the Battle of Isandlwana, but politics don’t take centerstage here and I don’t want to mislead readers by implying otherwise. Elizabeth and Jack are caught up in the conflict, but their stories hinge on the morality of their circumstances, how they identify themselves, and the decisions they make when their loyalties are torn.

Daughter of the Sky is not standard fare by any means and while the story was lighter than I’d hoped going in, the narrative proved well-worth my time and I definitely recommend it to fellow readers.

I never had a chance to review this before it expired. I'm sorry!