Beauty For Ashes

This is the second book of Win Blevins' 6-part "Rendevous" series about the mountain men, trappers and Indians living across the North American frontier during the 1820s and 1830s, when the whites who ventured west of civilization were adventurers, before the days of homesteading and land rushes brought hoards of whites into Indian lands. Young Sam Morgan, who left his family home in western Pennsylvania and traveled west in the series' first book, So Wild a Dream, has now made his name among his compatriots as a trapper, fighter and survivor. What's more, he has spent time with the Crow Indians and learned their ways, as well. Beauty for Ashes continues Morgan's progress in all these directions, and adds for him a love interest, the show more Indian girl, Meadowlark.

Blevins tells a very good story, and his obviously very deep knowledge of and extensive research into the way of life he is describing here, both Indian and white, informs that telling in satisfying ways. There are times when the story slows to a crawl as we instead get detailed descriptions of processes like beaver hunting and sweat lodges. These are fascinating and well described, although I admit there were times when I was ready for the action to resume. The characterizations are fun, if not very nuanced, other than our man, Sam, who does have some depth to him.

All in all, I recommend these books to anyone with an interest in the time and place. Blevins really does do a good job of bringing us there. show less

Part of a mediocre series about the American Mountain men. Definatly have to read previous books to keep up with plots. Historical accurate.