"You are brave. You have survived many danger. I will give you a new name. I will call you Aihàmtёt... It is our word for a young eagle. An eagle fly alone. It is fearless. It will not run before a storm like other bird. It fly above the cloud. You have risen above the storm. You are a young eagle."
Young Eagle Rising by Ellie Joyce is a coming of age story, set in the 18C Ireland and America. It is a mix of historical fiction and adventure, with elements of supernatural.
1735.
William Baxter, a thirteen-year-old boy, is reluctant to travel with his family to the New World in search of a better life.
He is especially devastated to leave his elderly grandmother behind. His Grandma is well known among the locals for her special gifts. William is convinced his Grandma is a witch. "She had what Ma called "the gift"; she had visions, heard voices, and occasionally, on a good day, brought messages from the dead... So, from an early age, I knew we had a witch in the house. My witch. I loved her wizened face and twinkling black eyes."
William and Grandma are close to each other. "Of all the folk we were leaving behind, I would miss her most of all. From the day she first gathered me in her arms, there had been a special bond between us and I blamed my parents for breaking it. I had yet to learm that no amount of distance can break the tie between a witch and her grandchild".
The three-months-long sea voyage is a test of endurance and hope. William is a social chap who easily makes friends among the fellow passengers and the crew.
When the ship reaches Philadelphia, the Baxters are ready to begin their quest. The family travels further to claim the land they can cultivate. Three weeks later they find a perfect spot for their future home. "This was our promised land; there for the taking. So we took it".
Life is hard, and as the second winter is approaching, they seem to have settled into the rhythm of living in seclusion, away from the other people, harvesting crops, looking after their home, hunting for food.
Pennsylvania is not a land of manna. It is a place of conflict between the warring tribes. Being in the middle of the undercurrents which they don't understand, the Baxters happen to make a fatal mistake.
When William's life changes dramatically, he can only rely on himself to survive in the unforgiving terrain. He is determined to return to Ireland, to his grandma and aunt. "I knew now where I should go, home to Ireland. It would take all of my determination because the journey would mean weeks of riding through dangerous forests all the way back to the port of Philadelphia, but it seemed a good plan, a sensible plan".
His trip back to Philadelphia is full of peril. It will take a hundred miles to reach the port. In the meantime he comes into contact with the settlers, slaves, slave owners, natives.
William is consumed with hatred towards those who destroyed his world, yet he learns that not everything is black and white. Of course, their promised land was never there for the taking in the first place.
He can see the injustice of the new order brought in by the white settlers, the tragedy of the native population. He begins to understand that nothing is clear cut, that there are intolerable cruelties inflicted on both sides, and comes to realise who the real savages are. The brutality of the new world will teach him to value a personal freedom.
William is a likeable character, smart, courageous, resourceful, and kind. He is also a compassionate narrator, with a gift of observation. He's the kind of character that you are rooting for from the first pages.
There are fabulous supporting characters, and secondary subplots, which enrich the main narrative. The friendship between William and Mёlёk, from the Lenape tribe, is beautifully-written. Living among the Lenape helps William discover his real self.
The story is aimed at the YA readers, but will appeal to mature audience as well.
Young Eagle Rising is an unflinching portrait of the cruel era. Some scenes are certainly not for the squeamish.
I would also suggest reading the Appendix at the end of the book, if you are interested in historical data. I learnt a few new facts, including the plant Sarracenia purpurea, which has been used by the Native Americans as a medicine to help cure the smallpox.
An incredible epic story, that you won't be able to put down.
This post is part of the blog tour for Young Eagle Rising.
Many thanks to Ellie Joyce and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of the book!
Purchase Links
Book Guild – https://www.bookguild.co.uk/bookshop/book/429/young-eagle-rising/
Amazon – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Young-Eagle-Rising-Ellie-Joyce/dp/1915122953
Waterstones – https://www.waterstones.com/book/young-eagle-rising/ellie-joyce/9781915122957
WHSmith – https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/young-eagle-rising/ellie-joyce/paperback/9781915122957.html
Book Depository – https://www.bookdepository.com/Young-Eagle-Rising-Ellie-Joyce/9781915122957
Bookshop.org – https://uk.bookshop.org/books/young-eagle-rising/9781915122957
Author Bio –
Ellie Joyce was born and raised in Belfast. She holds an
A.L.A.M. (Dip. Acting) from The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She
and her husband have four children and live in Leicestershire. Young Eagle Rising
is her debut novel. See more at elliejoyceauthor.com.
Social Media Links –
Website – https://elliejoyceauthor.com/
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