Title: The Longhunter: An American Tale
Author: E.P. Lewis
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1669818564
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 486
Reviewed by: Lily Amanda
Pacific Book Review
In this searing novel by E.P Lewis, a young man’s fortitude, loyalty, and courage are tested as he embarks on a journey to save his kidnapped family from ruthless marauders.
On a cool spring morning of 1777, south of the Ohio River, William McEwan, a seventeen-year-old American Longhunter, accidentally injures Shadow Bear, the son of the Cherokee chief, during one of his hunts. When he offers to take Shadow Bear home to his tribesmen as a form of retribution, his father agrees, much to his mother’s disappointment. During his stay with the Cherokee tribe, William’s family is attacked and some of his family members are taken captive in Philadelphia. Once William learns of the tragic news, he wastes no time as he begins looking for them, hoping to find them alive.
He is consequently plunged into a rabbit hole marred with treachery, betrayal, bad blood, and deceit. His endurance is consequently tested over and over again as he finds himself right in the middle of the Indian Wars and the growing tension between the British Crown and the colonies leading to the American Revolution.
Author Lewis has written a story worth turning the pages. He brings to life the American Revolution, and Native Indian Wars, and forged alliances during this period through the lens of the young man. Some scenes move fast, while others allow readers to savor the terrain, clothes, towns, food, scents, and sounds. These details elevate the book to a great extent.
Further, the writer manages to weave two cultures through an indelible love story that is not only plausible but engaging as well. This nuanced construction of two compelling and distinct families will move readers both intellectually and emotionally. E.P. Lewis managed to pique my interest in this genre. I enjoyed reading this book to its last page. It is undoubtedly storytelling at its best. It is well worth its weight with its intent and style and eye-opening access into the past that fans of historical fiction will enjoy poring over. The Longhunter: An American Tale by E.P. Lewis is wonderfully atmospheric with clean and vibrant prose. Lewis has done his research well and through his graceful strokes of the pen, we become receptive newcomers rollicking in a narrative that is alive with a sense of place and time. The novel has a few violent scenes which may trigger highly sensitive readers. That notwithstanding, this yarn is an engrossing walk-through time.
