Monday, August 13, 2018

Review of River to Redemption


River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart https://www.amazon.com/dp/0800723643/ref=cm_sw_r_pi_dp_U_x_hGuTAbQV9AZ6ZTitle: River to Redemption 

Author: Ann H. Gabhart

Chapters: 36

Pages: 336

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction 

Rating: 4 stars 

After being orphaned by a cholera epidemic in 1833 Springfield Kentucky Adria Starr is first taken in by a slave named Louis and Tillie. They were one of the few people who stayed behind to tend the sick and dying when everyone fled.  Louis single-handedly buried the 57 dead.  Once word got out that people were returning to the town and the school teacher's widow would be taking over the school; Louis convinces her to take in Adria as it wouldn't be proper for him and Aunt Tillie to raise the her. 

But Adria never forgot the kindness that Louis and Tillie showed her after her parents died in the epidemic. As a young woman she is determined to find a way to repay Louis. Her plan is simple find a way to buy Louis's freedom. This is something that isn't going to go over too well in 1840s Kentucky.  

The Events of Adria's life have shaped her made her the woman that she is. If it hadn't been for Louis she wouldn't have lived, to her Louis and Tillie are like an loving uncle and aunt despite Adria having a different skin color than them. Blood and looking alike doesn't make you family love does. 

In her historical novels Ann H Gabhart doesn't shy away from the hard stuff and River to Redemption is no different. That's what I love about her novels.  That even in south central Kentucky in the 1840s there was a pocket of people who knew slavery to wrong and where willing to do something about it; no matter what it cost them. Though Adria Starr is a fictional character the story is based on real life events.

Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this novel. Everyone should read it as Louis's story deserves  to be heard. But a fair warning it will make you cry. 


I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

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