I'm not a huge lover of historical fiction, but I do like America, so this story of settlers against a backdrop of tension with Native Americans, disease, famine and war really appealed to me. Ultimately, however, I found the narrative to be a little disjointed, with events depicted in a sensational way, jumping from one conflict to the next. It put me in mind of a glossy blockbuster film, with lots of action but little substance. The introduction of historical information is a little clunky too; the exposition is heavy handed and unsubtle (and sometimes completely unnecessary, although if you were a history buff you may appreciate the detail).
I also found the characters to be underdeveloped; due to the nature of the narrative and its constant movement from place to place, I didn't really make any connection with the characters and feel many were reduced to caricatures and stereotypes (and ultimately fairly one-dimensional). Christian Hardy has appeared in previous novels by Jackson, and I wonder if I was at a disadvantage having not read them first. Despite my criticisms, there were elements of the novel I enjoyed; the quick pace really creates a sense of tension, and the violence and conflict ensure it is an exciting and action-packed novel. For me, however, it lacked the depth and character development that I enjoy.
I also found the characters to be underdeveloped; due to the nature of the narrative and its constant movement from place to place, I didn't really make any connection with the characters and feel many were reduced to caricatures and stereotypes (and ultimately fairly one-dimensional). Christian Hardy has appeared in previous novels by Jackson, and I wonder if I was at a disadvantage having not read them first. Despite my criticisms, there were elements of the novel I enjoyed; the quick pace really creates a sense of tension, and the violence and conflict ensure it is an exciting and action-packed novel. For me, however, it lacked the depth and character development that I enjoy.