Indra Zuno

Freedom Dues is an engrossing story of indentured servitude in the New World during the early 1700’s. Life in Colonial America is difficult for all but it is exponentially harder if you are.an indentured servant. Any work that one would expect a slave to preform was also done by indentures. In fact there was little difference between the two. There were some laws that were intended to protect them but they were weak and then as now justice was out of reach of the poor. Doing research after finishing the book,I was not surprised to learn that the percentage that died during their contracted years was high. It is in this uncertain world that our protagonists find themselves.
Blair Eakins a young scots Irish man from Ulster decides to leave Ireland after his father dies. He and his brother Ronald make this choice when faced with few prospects for the future except poverty and famine. Blair looks forward to improving his life, in America, for himself and his sweetheart. Not 24 hours into the voyage Blair and his brother realize that in their new circumstances they are vulnerable and what is promised to them is not always going to be delivered.
Mallie Ambrose is a 10 year old pick-pocket from London. When she is caught and found guilty her sentence is transportation followed by a 7 year indenture. During the voyage she is befriended by a fellow transportee who had money to buy a better condition for himself while onboard. He is able to protect Mallie from some of the worst situations during the trip.
Once landed though her contract is bought by a planter from Maryland. Though still a child Mallie is expected to work anywhere she may be needed, the house, kitchens or fields. She must follow the same rules as the adults and can expect the same punishment for infractions, including beatings with a whip or leather strap.
The hardships, peril and betrayals both face and their reactions to them, form the basis of their storylines. Will they grow and prosper or fail and not survive are questions they face.
The life they live is often brutal and therefore the book is hard to read sometimes. But it also shows their ability to survive and their capacity to continue to believe in and hope for a brighter future. We see strength, courage, integrity and yes even the ability to love in them. The author has done a wonderful job creating such complex characters.
The research that was done by the author was extensive and it shows. Each facet of historical detail was seamlessly interwoven to give the reader a true sense of time and place. The story moves forward at a nice even pace with many highs,lows,twists and turns for the reader to experience. All in all this was a well written exciting book!
I “read” the novel via an audiobook and throughly enjoyed the movie that played in my head. My only wish was that the publisher had used 2 narrators. This is not meant to diminish the narrators work she did a wonderful job but the vast number of characters with differing accents would have challenged the very best actor. Despite this issue she did an admirable job using her voice to build tension and reflect thee emotions of each scene.
Recommended for serious historical fiction fans who also enjoy historical romance that’s well done.
4 Stars!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, Spinning a Yarn Press and NetGalley. This fact in no way influenced my review.… (altro)