AppId is over the quota
Every once in a while a writing talent comes along that demands the reading public sit up and take notice. Such is the case with the new debut Novel; Destiny Comes On The Wind - The Legend Of Opechancanough, by James A. Wright.
Beginning in the year 1561, it is the story of a real Powhatan Indian chief who lived in the time of the earliest Jamestown settlers. Opechancanough is abducted at an early age and educated in Spain by Spanish Monks. Adopting six different identities and persona throughout the scope of his long life, his story is a testament to a courageous and adaptable human spirit immersed in a totally alien culture and landscape. Spanning both the Old World and the New, Opechancanough must re-invent himself many times to fit in with each change in circumstance, environment and the expectations of others. The numerous locales include early colonial Virginia, Massachusetts, Cuba, Mexico, Spain and England, to name a few.
While it is a work of fiction, it is based largely on factual research and actual historical events, as well as myth and legend. As a sidebar, it is interesting to note that the Author conceived the idea for the book while researching his own genealogical roots, after discovering that he was a direct-descendent of the title character some twelve generations ago.
The story starts at a lively pace as the main character, (just on the cusp of manhood) and his grandfather, go on a bear hunt. The author does a great job in providing the details and the rational for the actions of the hunters and is able to draw the reader in to the hunt and the real sense of danger involved. The author's ability to convey the suspense and adventure permeates the entire novel.
The author generally strikes a good balance between the use of narrative and dialogue, but sometimes goes a bit overboard in providing too much back story information that I thought could be a bit excessive and contributed little to carrying the story forward. If your tastes run to historical fiction based on real people and actual events this book will not disappoint! While the actual events and the thoughts of those involved at that time can not be known for sure, the author dramatically brings the characters to life with great appeal and realism.
The book has finely developed and memorable characters, a great plot/storyline and qualifies as an epic tale of adventure, political intrigue and personal journey. One of the aspects that I appreciated most was the unpredictability of the story. With so many books that I have read, I often find myself guessing the outcomes and endings far before I come to them. The reader should have very little chance of that happening with this Novel as the unexpected is the norm.
To say that I couldn't put it down, would be an understatement. I finished it in six unbroken nights. No easy feat at 216,000 words! I actually cursed my need for the occasional bathroom break, such was my desire to keep reading.
While it is obviously a book for adults, younger readers should also enjoy this title. It is written in an easy style, and what sexual references there are, would be considered mild by today's standards. It may, in fact, enjoy equal popularity among teens. It is available in most popular e-reader formats, (Kindle, PDF, Nook), from Amazon and Smashwords.
