The Last of the Mohicans (The Leatherstocking Tales)

Title: The Last of the Mohicans

Series: The Leatherstocking Tales (Book #2)

Year: 1826

Author: James Fenimore Cooper

Summary: The wild rush of action in this classic frontier adventure story has made The Last of the Mohicans the most popular of James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales. Deep in the forests of upper New York State, the brave woodsman Hawkeye (Natty Bumppo) and his loyal Mohican friends Chingachgook and Uncas become embroiled in the bloody battles of the French and Indian War. The abduction of the beautiful Munro sisters by hostile savages, the treachery of the renegade brave Magua, the ambush of innocent settlers, and the thrilling events that lead to the final tragic confrontation between rival war parties create an unforgettable, spine-tingling picture of life on the frontier. And as the idyllic wilderness gives way to the forces of civilization, the novel presents a moving portrayal of a vanishing race and the end of its way of life in the great American forests. (from Goodreads)

Main Characters:
~ Hawkeye (Natty Bumppo)
~ Chingachgook
~ Uncas
~ Cora Munro
~ Duncan Heyward
~ Alice Munro
~ David Gamut
~ Magua

Review: This was my first time ever reading a Cooper novel. I'm really not sure why I haven't picked up one of the Leatherstocking Tales until now, but my appetite has been awoken. Now I want to read all of Natty's adventures. 

Honestly, I feel like the summary this classic novel gets from Goodreads and Amazon and pretty much anywhere else is super boring. The blurb on the back of the book I read wasn't even accurate to the story's contents. Fail right there, folks. This novel deserves a lot more praise from its summary writers. I mean, c'mon -- it's a classic! It's been an American favorite since it was published in the 1800s! There's a reason it's lasted this long, so give it a little extra effort to help us to a satisfying summary. 

Okay, sorry. Rant over. Yes, I loved this book. Once you found your way through the sometimes long and confusing passages of the American frontier, it was easy to get hooked on the story. Cora and Alice certainly have picked the wrong time to travel. It's the third year of the French and Indian War, and getting to their father's fort means that they have to somehow survive the Indian wilderness en route. Accompanying them is the faithful, romantic soldier Duncan Heyward (whom I feel like involuntarily becomes one of the main focuses of the story, even though he's not even the hero), the mysterious Indian guide Magua, and the lovable but clumsy singer David Gamut. 

So that's where the story begins. From there, it's a spiral straight into betrayals, Indian attacks, chases, hideouts, battles, kidnappings, and so much more.

As much as I loved following Hawkeye's perspective, I enjoyed getting into Duncan's head, too. Hawkeye is very much a bridge between the white man and the Indian, being a pure-blooded white man himself, but living with the Indians has helped him understand their culture and traditions. Duncan, however, jumps into the action with the perspective of a solider -- brave, but completely out of his element when it comes to trekking through the wilderness. But he learns a lot and so you can't help but root for him (and his lady). I think I gave a little cheer when he correctly identified the sound of the horse in the night when Hawkeye and Chingachgook couldn't.

David Gamut is downright hilarious. Although, like some of the Indians, I'm not completely convinced he's wholly sane. Even though he is an idiot, it was fun to watch his character develop.

I don't know that I could write this review without saying something about Uncas. Because he IS the last of the Mohicans. This once-amazing bloodline has come down to him and his father, Chingachgook. I wish Cooper had let us seen a bit more of Uncas, because I felt like he spent the first half of the book barely there. He was super important, as he was the best tracker when it came to finding the girls or the Indians, but it was almost as if Cooper suddenly remembered he was there and went, "Oh, yeah, I gotta include him, too." Uncas really stood out in the last few chapters AND I CAN'T TELL YOU BECAUSE SPOILERS EVEN THOUGH IT'S A CLASSIC. Just know, the full meaning of the book's title hit me smack dab in the face and it hurt. SO MUCH.

Magua is despicable. I don't know that I've ever hated a book's villain with such enjoyment as I've hated him. I will end the rant before I begin it. 

Advisory: Lots of blood and violence. We are talking about the middle of war here, people. Indians scalp/maim/kill/torture/etc. Please expect some blood and death. 

Also, please note that this book has a lot of racial content. I think it's important to read it within the context of which it was written: 1800s when differences between Indians and Caucasians/Europeans were naturally accepted by all. Cooper, I believe, did not intend for this novel to be a word on the racial differences we see today, but he merely portrayed the differences as he saw them played out in his time. For most of the characters and the plot itself, race plays a big part. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Exiles (Ilyon Chronicles)

Title: Exiles

Series: Ilyon Chronicles (Book #4)

Year: 2017

Author: Jaye L. Knight

Summary: Exiled after their defeat in Samara, the Resistance struggles to find allies in their quest to restore King Balen to his throne and put an end to the emperor’s tyranny. When the crete people refuse to lend their aid, Balen leads a group to Dorland to reason with them and win their support. However, enemies prove to be everywhere, and they find themselves in a fight to keep Dorland from becoming Daican’s latest conquest. 

Back in Landale, the arrival of a new enemy forces Trask and Anne to tread more carefully than ever. Tensions are rising, and the enemy is determined to test Anne’s loyalty and root out the location of Trask and the Resistance once and for all. 

Feeling trapped within the walls of Valcré, Prince Daniel must contend with an ever-eroding relationship with his father. As their clashes escalate, the situation becomes potentially life threatening when his loyalty is called into question. His sister seems bent on branding him a traitor and actively seeking to condemn him to the fate of those put to death in their father’s new arena. Daniel is certain his father would never execute his only son and heir, but with other forces at work, it might not be that simple. 

One small misstep could prove fatal for all. (from Goodreads)

Main Characters:
~ Kyrin
~ Jace
~ Daniel
~ Anne

Review: First off, this book came out on my birthday. How. Cool. Is. That. Of course, I had to buy it for myself as a birthday gift. 

This series just keeps getting better. I think book #2 may be my favorite overall, but this one definitely almost topped that one! I loved getting to follow Kyrin, Jace, and their friends all over the map -- in an effort to get allies against Daican, they visit the cretes and Dorlanders. Personally, I really enjoyed getting to see the different cultures. There are familiar aspects to each one, but they are all so unique. And the new culture -- *jaw drops* Ilyon fans, rejoice. Saul and his band are everything we wanted them to be. 

However, we're not just with Kyrin and Co. Anne and Trask, I felt, played a bigger role in this book as they fight the battle at Landale. Not a real fight, mind you, because Anne still has to keep up her family's facade and Trask has to keep the whole camp a secret. Goler was despicable, as always. Charles was the best. I thought this book opened a new perspective on Anne; she became more real as I got to see further into her life and struggles. The sensibility she showed in putting others' needs above her own really stood out to me. Plus, she and Trask are just absolutely adorable. Just sayin'. 

My favorite character of the whole series is quickly becoming Prince Daniel. I loved getting to start his story in the last few books, but this one took him to a whole new level. And at the end -- PLOT TWIST -- Can't say I saw that one coming! Jaye is keeping all of us on our toes and I need book #5 ASAP. I hate Davira with an intense, passionate hate. More than I hated her father. That's all I can say. 

Shout-out to Kaden and some epic dragon action. That would probably be the one thing lacking in this book. Not enough of Kaden and dragons. It was fun getting to see more of Kyrin's other brother, Michael, though. 

Overall, this was an amazing continuation of the Ilyon Chronicles. I have been recommending this series to basically everybody since I read the first book, and I haven't stopped yet. 

Advisory: Violence/blood/fighting, but all in Jaye's usual style. Characters almost drown/are threatened to lose fingers/get beaten/get executed/etc. Because most of the book centers on battles/fights, I would recommend this book for readers over 12. 

Another portion of the book focuses on the ryriks and their wild tendency towards abusing women (i.e. rape). The subject is broached in the book as characters come into contact with the ryriks, but it is well-handled and not explicit. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars