Maureen Joyce Connolly manages unimaginable heartbreak with sympathy and compassion without becoming sentimental. Right alongside her characters, Connolly lets her readers experience their pain and loss, which is the sign of a well-told story ... She expertly weaves the Lakota and Selke cultures into the story, allowing readers to learn about the traditions, values and legends of these communities, which also influence the plot and underscore the story’s themes ... Cheers to Maureen Joyce Connolly on this skillful debut!
...a novel that stands out from the crowd ... [a] phenomenal tale ... My one quibble with this novel has to do with the conclusion. Certain plot points are wrapped up quite nicely, but a few are left dangling. It would have been nice if the author had included an epilogue, which would have enabled readers to see how things turned out for all of the characters, both the good and the bad. As it stands, I’m left with a few questions. This is not a perfect story, but it’s one I enjoyed wholeheartedly in spite of its few flaws. Ms. Connolly has earned a place on my list of authors to watch out for, and I can’t wait to see what she’ll do next.
Connolly’s lyrical writing style and the fast-paced narrative draw in the reader right away. This is a riveting novel bolstered by its flawed, believable characters
