That Woman: Beating the odds in colonial New York by Wayne ClarkMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I will admit that historical fiction as a genre is a one I have to stumble upon rather than go in search of. That Woman by Wayne Clark makes lists of Great, Recommended, and Superbly Written Historical Fiction lists on Goodreads.com. The summary hints of a cunning female lead besting her male counterparts in a harsh, unforgiving time and place in history.
Sarah as a character came across tough as nails with just enough vulnerability, therefore escaping the damsel in distress scenario I so despise. She is a woman who bends and twists with the current in such a way to further herself and those she loves. The bad guys are clearly defined as such and the straightforwardness is a breath of fresh air in a genre where that kind of crystalline definition can come off as gimmicky or cliche. I would be surprised to find a reader who felt they had read this very story before save different character names and divergent settings. Clark sets Sarah exactly where he wants her to be in your mind and good luck telling yourself differently.
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