Official Review: The River Way Home: The Adventures of th...

Please use this sub-forum to discuss any fiction books or series that do not fit into one of the other categories. If the fiction book fits into one the other categories, please use that category instead.
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
Post Reply
Jasper
Posts: 52
Joined: 08 Feb 2014, 12:24
Favorite Author: Stephen King
Bookshelf Size: 3
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jasper.html
Latest Review: "The River Way Home" by Mary E. Dawson
fav_author_id: 2376

Official Review: The River Way Home: The Adventures of th...

Post by Jasper »

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The River Way Home: The Adventures of the Cowboy, the Indian, and the Amazon Queen" by Mary E. Dawson.]
Book Cover for 678
Share This Review

The year is 1914 and Queenie had always imagined cowboys, but she’d never quite pictured them as cow hunters until she arrived in Florida. After she meets the two Billy’s, a Caucasian male, and a Native American, around her age, she immediately befriends them, despite their differences in heritage. Queenie, being a mixed colored girl, opens up to the two boys and shares her family history on why they’ve moved to Florida when prompted. The answer is simple, yet mysterious. She’s on a quest, and after ending up a long way from home Queenie, and both Billy’s, are going with her.

My only concern is a colored girl with milk chocolate skin is not assumed to be mixed. When comparing skin color—particularly that shade—to milk chocolate, think of a Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar. Big difference in shades there, since it was noted that she was in fact lighter than Billy—the Native American Billy—and his skin is darker than hers by a few shades. However, I loved that fact that it was stated that even mixed children were considered colored, because the history there matches up accurately, specifically with queen.

The historical facts and events spoken add up well in the story, especially the description of the Seminoles and Eatonville. The issue of race is constant throughout the novel, as it should be, given the time period and location. The character interaction between the trio was quiet pleasing, and the issue of race was an implied undertone throughout the dialogue, but not begrudgingly so. Each of them were patient enough to try and learn about the other, and more importantly they tried to understand where each of them were coming from.

The story telling was interesting, and flowed well with the story to pass the time by for the children. Queenie’s personality is kind, yet authoritative and holding many leadership qualities, even after she and the two Billy’s are finding their way home—and is most noticeably starting to show after the animal incident. Race is again implied during that journey home, and all of the obstacles along the way draw them closer. The power of friendship is strong.
The character building is impressive, and the transition for Billy (the Native American Billy) was satisfying to read, as well as Queenie redefining herself to the tourist. The way she saved the other Billy from having to explain his story to Lucy just yet proved how loyal and respecting of a friend she was.

I give this book a 4 out 4 stars. The story as a whole was exceptional, about five typos, but other than that crafted well. The trials the friends overcame against Lowe, and other things on their journey, showed just how brave the three children were, and how their friendship knows no bounds, even in the face of danger. Their relationship with each other is more firm, rare, and genuine as most today, and the journey they went on was an education, as well as a once in a lifetime coming of age journey into the cowboy, the Indian, and the Amazon Queen. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and Mary E. Dawson's book is definitely worth reading.

***
Buy "The River Way Home" on Amazon
Buy "The River Way Home" on Barnes and Noble
View hassle-free sample of "The River Way Home"
Latest Review: "The River Way Home" by Mary E. Dawson
Post Reply

Return to “Other Fiction Forum”