An epic inspirational saga about the making of the America and the (almost) forgotten nation who had helped there - the Oneidas.
This is a follow-up to The Wood's Edge and the duology is needed to be read in that order.

I applaud Ms Benton for her thorough historical research and how smartly she was able to mix the personal stories within the historical context. She masters the words and can paint very vivid, compelling world with them.
She also offers a very valuable lesson in the Christian virtues. Also the personal and the bigger pictures are combined here - as the story of Reginald Aubrey is the story of us and how relentlessly God pursues us. Humbling, indeed.
Yet - while I recognize the powerful voice of Spirit here, I am also conflicted. Everyone else save two men (two fathers) is behaving angelically, rebelling only in small things and for a short time (even William). Their rebellions are very understandable, yet they are reprimanded for it, which I find a bit unjust. If Reginald has such an amount of tolerance, why not everybody?
I also find the ending - meaning the spiritual climax at the end, or more not the climax itself, but its overall acceptance - being very unrealistic. Here I am of two minds - I bow under the strong spiritual message, which is powerful. Yet in reality (and I also think about the historical reality) it would go differently, I think.
Having said all that - the blood of the martyrs is always powerful.

An applaud for honoring the Indians!!!

This novel has one of the strongest, truest message I have read about the last couple of years. And no level of (mild) sugarcoating can hide that. Ms Benton is a force to be reckoned with.