4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
The Rage by Lassiter Williams is a young adult novel that tells a historical fiction story about a girl named Trib. The story is set in the jungles of the New World. Trib belongs to a cultish tribe where women are superior to men. They are warrior-like people who are known for using a special ability called ‘The Rage’. Trib’s tribe is constantly at war with the Puritanics who are men. After a surprise attack on her tribe, she pursues them for days despite exhaustion and her injuries. Trib ends up saving a boy named Peyewik from being drowned by a Puritanic. She is taken to the boy’s village to recuperate. Trib soon learns that Peyewik is a seer and his people are Natives. Soon, Trib begins to see the world from a new perspective as she spends more time with Peyewik and a handsome storyteller named Kwineechka. Trib learns of the Natives’ plight and how they are affected by the war between the Puritanics and her own people. She also discovers harsh truths about herself, her own tribe, and her family.
A delightful mix of adventure, self-discovery, and blossoming romance await readers of The Rage. I appreciated the multiple perspectives from which the book was written. Due to this, I felt like I personally knew each of the main characters because of their backstories, thoughts, and feelings. Additionally, Trib, Peyewik, and Kwineechka were all written quite realistically. They each had distinct traits and personalities. They also had to overcome individual struggles. This made them very relatable. This is what I liked the most about the book.
Another thing I liked was the multitude of different cultural elements that were portrayed. Traditional clothing, lifestyles, family life, beliefs, food, religions, and customs differed between the Natives and Trib’s people. Their mystical abilities also varied. However, the story linked all of the groups together through spirituality. There was a wonderful harmony that brought all of the cultural elements together.
Although it was not a huge part of the storyline, I liked how the romance was depicted in this book. It was tastefully written for a young audience without crude scenarios. The initial angst between Trib and her crush was entertaining and I found myself rooting for them until the end. However, their romance was not straightforward and sappy. Instead, it was complicated with an outrageous ending. This aspect of the story kept me interested throughout the book.
I can confidently state that The Rage was professionally edited because I only came across one minor error. There was nothing that dampened my reading experience of this novel. Its relatable characters, cultural elements, and intriguing romance make this book deserving of a perfect rating: 4 out of 4 stars! I would recommend this book to older teens and young adults who enjoy reading historical fiction with a fantasy twist. Readers with an interest in Native American culture may also enjoy this novel. This story will not appeal to those who don’t like reading about history, adventure, or different cultures.
******
The Rage
View: on Bookshelves
Like KristyKhem's review? Post a comment saying so!
Excellent review as always!
