The Reapers' Song

This six book historical fiction series (and its prequel) is the story of a Norwegian family who emigrates to America in the late 1800s to homestead in the Dakota Territory. Think Little House on the Prairie, but for adults. Definitely written for adult women, as it deals with marriage and childbirth issues in a realistic, yet appropriate way. The author has more 3- and 4- book series following the lives of the children of this family as they grow up. Their Christian faith is mentioned lightly in the first 3 books, and more centrally and more in depth in the later books. These books remind me a bit of Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly Series. If you liked those, you might like these. One other quibble: in the third and fourth books, the show more author has the annoying habit of ending a chapter of ending on a cliff-hanger, and then the next chapter switches to a totally different scene and set of characters. The cliff-hanger isn't resolved until several chapters later when I've almost forgotten about it. Also, a glossary and pronunciation guide would have been helpful for all the Norwegian words and names. And a list of characters and their relationships would have been good, because there are a lot of duplicate names on the different branches of the family and it gets kind of confusing. show less

This one is definitely one of my favorites in the Red River of the North series! It's got all the classic characters - Ingeborge, Haaken, Agnes, Kaaren, Lars, Penny and Hjelmer, the kids, and even the Valderses. Zeb's storyline is so, so good, and his redemption story is just utterly beautiful, as is Mr. Valders. I love the rich history and beautiful themes of love, family, and redemption throughout.

Recommended for ages 16 for a few mature scenesreferences.

As the back cover states: "Ever so slowly Dakota Territory is being transformed from a vast prairie into rich farmlands." This book begins in the year 1885 and continues to keep you up to date with what is happening in the small town of Blessing and with the Bjorklund family. There will be great blessings, along with great sorrows as people make a life for themselves with the help of family and friends. This has been a series I have greatly enjoyed.

I had read this before, but had forgotten many of the details! Well worth reading again!

The story begins in Springfield, Missouri in the Early Summer of 1885. He was dead. Zeb MacCallister held the rifle instead of throwing it because of his pa's training to "Treat your rifle better than any woman...." His had saved his life. Why had Abe Galloway gone for his gun? They hid the body in a cave that Zeb & his sister's had played in as children. When he got home, his sister, Mary Martha, noticed the blood from what Zeb said was a flesh wound. Mary Martha joined Zeb on the horse & began to inspect it. When they got in the house, Zeb considered that his mother was older, the war had been hard on the women. He didn't know how he had known show more that. As he finished his birthday breakfast he prepared to leave home. Mary Martha fixed his bedroll & his mother handed him her bible. The last time he saw them they were on the porch as he waved good-bye, he had a long way to go and only God knew what would become of him. show less

leaves you wanting the "next" book.

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