Onheda also has an insight into the reality of her situation, as she sees it, when she hears some news from travelling warriors at Jikonsahseh’s camp. Meanwhile Seketa, who has taken to spending time on Two Rivers’ favourite cliff, realises how he must have felt and why he enjoyed the solitude away from the disapproval and intolerance of the town. An opportune natural phenomenon, the like of which Two Rivers, or anyone else, had never seen occurs to lend weight to his words as he is regarded with awe. He is feared among his people and suspected of having evil powers. Tadodaho, the war chief of Onondaga town, is far from interested in a message of peace. So with the message received well, Two Rivers and Teneki, along with a group of supporters, travel back to the Onondaga people to convince them to join the alliance. The clans realise the time for change is upon them, their hunger and desperation fueling the decision, and the knowledge that Two Rivers’ goal is the last chance for them to change their fortunes.

Two Rivers’ capability and patient self-control is rewarded. I am sure it will make you feel the same, though.Įxcellent, and I hope I shall get to read the last in the series before too long, after which I shall want to read the People of the Longhouse series, too.įollowing the test of the falls, the miracle of Two Rivers’ survival and the struggle to convince the clans that living together in unity is the answer to their problems, at last they are ready to listen and agree to the message of peace. It made me sad, too, thinking about what happened to these people in more recent history, though that is perhaps not to be dwelt upon in a review of this book. The ending, the coming together of the Great Law is incredibly moving, and, as in the previous book, made me wish I lived in this simpler time with these people. There is a marvellous quality to Zoe Saadia's writing in these stories that I can't quite put my finger on it's as though the 'voice' could be a native American telling this tale around a camp fire I suspect she might have been one such in a past life! The narration is so clear, the prose never contrived.

Be prepared for tears in your eyes at about 90%, but I won't give away any more! It's also an amazing two pronged love story, though, as young warrior Tekeni and his love Seketa search for each other, and the great Messenger of peace, Two Rivers, comes to terms with his love for Onheda. The third in the series telling a fictional version of the true story of the forming of the Great League of the Five Nations (the Iroquois), this is the most exciting so far, as Two Rivers and sidekick Tekeni struggle cross land and water to deliver the message of peace to the various tribes, encountering resistance on the way.

What a wonderful story! This is a real adventure, one of those that keeps giving hope, only to plunge the reader into that 'oh, no, it's all going to go wrong' fear a moment later.

The Great Law of Peace by Zoe Saadia