This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite
Lives of the Spirits by John Pappas is the continuing story of Aidan. Aidan, originally from Boston, was captured and made a slave on the ship Lucky Wind. After escaping the cruelty of Captain Montrose, Aidan found refuge with the Indians of the Pacific North West, located in the Ozette region. While living among the natives, he falls in love and marries Neveah. The young couple is expecting their first child. Aidan, called “Irish” by his native friends, and Neveah embark on a journey up the Big River (Columbia River) to make trade negotiations with the Chinooks. The journey is arduous, with the couple enduring hardships of weather, navigating the “fast waters” of the river, attacks from hostile Indians, and the rapidly spreading smallpox epidemic. Everywhere Aidan goes, destruction seems to follow. Life is changing so fast. Aidan ponders what the future holds for him and Neveah. With the help from his spirit guide, he is determined to see them through this life-changing adventure.
Lives of the Spirits is an eye-opening adventure of life along the Columbia River during the early 1800s. John Pappas is well researched and has a keen understanding of Pacific Northwest Indian history and tribal folklore. The narrative is written in first person, allowing the reader to experience the tale through the eyes, ears and spirit of its hero. Pappas portrays the conflict of man against man, man against society, and man against nature with blended enthusiasm and relevance. As a reader, you are easily drawn into the story’s action, sensing the elements of nature, the overwhelming harshness of the environment. I appreciated the subtle nuances regarding slavery, portraying how its bondage continues even when freedom has been achieved. Pappas reveals through his characters the daily fight for freedom from within and without. The novel concludes with a hopeful future, but this is not the end of the tale. John Pappas leaves the reader anticipating what will happen next in the lives of Aidan and Neveah.
