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Promised Valley Rebellion

Ron Fritsch
Asymmetric Worlds (2010)
ISBN 9780615464510
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (04/11)

When I first started reading “Promised Valley Rebellion,” I was a little worried wouldn’t be able to keep all of the characters straight.  In the first chapter alone, the reader is introduced to Blue Sky, Rose Leaf, Morning Sun, Tall Oak, Green Field, Gentle Brook, Rainbow Evening, and Sturdy Limb.  There is a handy “Character List” in the beginning of the book listing the 20+ characters and a brief description of who each person is.  Over time as I was reading I began to be able to remember who was who and appreciated how well the main characters were developed throughout the novel.

Blue Sky and Rose Leaf are brother and sister.  Morning Sun is a prince.  Morning Sun and Rose Leaf fall in love and wish to wed but they are forbidden to do so by the king, Tall Oak.  There is no animosity between the two families; in fact they are actually very close.  No one can figure out why the two cannot wed.  The reason is a secret that has been kept for many, many years by the parties involved and they wish not to reveal it now.  This withholding of information causes unrest among the people.

I enjoyed this work of historical fiction.  I found the characters to be unique, especially one of the main characters, Blue Sky, “a man who didn’t go with women.” (p.45)  It is quite unusual and intriguing to see gay characters in a work of historical fiction (besides Blue Sky there are also a few other “tellers” who are gay).    Fritsch’s characters are what truly made the book. 

There was also an element of suspense as to how “Promised Valley Rebellion” would wrap up.  I wasn’t able to predict how the book was going to end although a couple of times I thought I knew (but I was wrong).  I recommend this book if you enjoy historical fiction peppered with a little suspense.

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