Honor, by Lyn Cote

I often wonder how blessed we are in so many different ways - today, we live in a time and place where and when we can exercise free will without major opposition. This is not true for Honor, a plantation heiress who, along with her maid, goes from a fairly comfortable life to destitution when Honor makes a decision based on her beliefs and convictions, while defying those of her family.

As a result, Honor has to face harsh consequences, but she stays true to herself despite the unexpected harsh reality she ends up in. In a time and moment where slavery, abolition, abuse and violence are staple, her determination is admirable. Her plans do not come to be as she had expected and marries Samuel out of convenience. They both learn to accept and love each other and become two characters who exemplify Christian character. In this sense, this book could be a great teaching tool. 

However, there are elements in the story and the way it is written that made it less effective or more incredible (as in not being credible), at least for my taste. (SPOILER ALERT NEXT) For example, no one is able to master a language in three days, but due to Samuel's needs, Hope learns to sign in a extremely unrealistic short period of time. I understand this is a work of fiction, but this is way too farfetched. Also, Honor is initially engaged to another man, who clumsily reappears by the end of the story after the author includes a sub-plot that shows his true colors. His showing up at Honor's new house brings a little suspense and edge to the story, but the situation is highly inconclusive, as it is finished almost as fast and abruptly as it started. Personally, I think that this event could have brought much more to the story, rather than turning it into a book with a weak ending.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers, in exchange of an honest review. This has not biased my opinion on the book or the author.