Review - Somewhere to Dream (The MacDonnells #3) by Genevieve Graham

Title: Somewhere to Dream 

Author: Genevieve Graham

Series: 3rd (Under The Same Sky, Sound of the Heart)

Pages: 336

Published: November 5th 2013 by Berkley 

ISBN:  9780425265574

Source: Author/Publisher sent for honest review

 

Desciption: The Cherokee call her Shadow Girl. A white woman adopted by Indians, Adelaide is haunted by the dark dreams she hides—of her murdered family, of the men she fears, and most of all, of the ones that foretell the future. After her visions cause her to make a terrible mistake, she renounces her power and buries her dreams deep in her soul.  Until Jesse Black is captured by the tribe. His life is spared because the Cherokee believe his warrior spirit belongs to their fallen brother. Though he hates all Indians, Adelaide illuminates their way of life for him, just as he shines light into her shadowed heart. But when her dreams return, Jesse must help her face them…or die trying… 

I Give This ...

I did not read the first book in this series, but felt the second worked well enough despite that.  So, it never crossed my mind not to read this one.  I was wasn't entirely disappointed with this story.

I don't think I've ever read about a character quite like Adelaide.  I would think it would be hard to adapt to living with the Cherokee.  But, Adelaide is so afraid of the white settlers that she prefers the Cherokee ways.  It's almost contradictory because she readily acknowledges the fact that the Cherokee can show to mercy when it comes to the white men the capture.  She's almost become disillusioned to the roles each of them pay.  She truly sees the Cherokee as her saviors but you can tell that she still feels out of place with them.

An interesting twist to the story is the fact that Adelaide has visions.  Most of her visions seem to show violence, so she never is able to stay in them long enough to determine any sort of outcome or ways to circumvent their occurrence.  All she knows is that she has been dreaming of the Cherokee's new prisoner her entire life.  But, he may have a special place with the Cherokee.   One of them believes he harbors the soul of a Cherokee who passed away.

Jesse and Adelaide's future together is more tied to the past then I ever though possible.  Adelaide must overcome the events that lead to her coming to live with the Cherokee and she must acknowledge her dreams for them may help far more than she knows.  Jesse must realize that the Cherokee are not all he has grown up to believe.  Perhaps evil really does lie with someone else.

I really enjoyed the whole story.  But, I often felt like I was missing some key piece of information.  Adelaide does address some of my questions but it seems to be really late in the novel and not enough.  It had a lot to do with Adelaide and her sister.   I think a lot of my questions would be answered if I had read the first book in the series.  It's primary characters are Maggie and the man she marries.  I think I need to read it and hopefully it would close a lot of gaps I feel like this story had.  

I do enjoy this authors historical fiction, so I am looking forward to what she writes next.  Be it another edition to this series, or something else entirely! 

Review - Sound of the Heart by Genevieve Graham

Title: Sound of the Heart

Author: Genevieve Graham

Series: Companion to Under The Same Sky

Pages: 336

Published: May 1st 2012 by Berkley Trade 

ISBN: 9780425247341

Source: Sent by author for honest review

Description: Dougal MacDonnell, a fierce warrior from the Highlands of Scotland, is able to hear the thoughts of other men and dream how the future will unfold. Devastated by the loss of his family during the Battle of Culloden in 1746, he fosters a deep hatred for the English. But when Glenna, the love of his life and a Scottish outlaw, is captured and shipped overseas, Dougal is forced to join an English army made of vanquished Scots. Now fighting on the side of his sworn enemies, he embarks on a journey that will take him across the seas to the colonies. There he will risk everything for the chance to find his true love.

I Give This ...

I was a little hesitant to read this at first because I haven't read the companion novel.  I wasn't sure how much they were connected and if it really mattered.  I decided to read it anyway just because I liked the idea of it.  And well... I like stories set in the Scottish Highlands.

I was immediately thrown into a very familiar battlefield.  I half expected to meet Jaimie from Outlander in these opening pages.   It actually had a very similar feel to that story.  I liked Dougal from the moment we meet him.  I love the sense of family we get and how he immediately knows something is wrong because of who is standing beside him.  It doesn't take long from the real battle to begin because we all know what happens at Culloden.  

I thought it was interesting that Dougal was just as concerned for the well being of others as he was for his own.  It doesn't take him long to make a friend with the same beliefs as his own and for them to take a young pair of boys under their wings.  In return, those boys help them escape.  But, sadly only two make it out alive.  

For the longest time, I wondered when we would be Glenna.  She seemed like she should be someone we meet in the opening pages.  When we finally do, it really seemed like a "duh moment" to me.  The clues were all there.  I didn't understand her at first, but her actions began to make sense.  She was doing the only thing she knew for most of her life.  It became harder and harder to shake off that lifestyle.  

I actually think the only downfall of this novel was that is could have been longer.  A lot of time is covered in this book and a few events just barely glanced over.  It never felt long and I was disappointed when it ended.  I will be seeking out the companion book though.  I think it might hold some answers to the questions that I have!