Cartier's Ring - A Novel of Canada by Pearson Moore

The premise of this book appealed to me because of the inclusion of Native American history which is a favorite sub-genre.  I wasn’t disappointed in the large dose of historical facts that flowed throughout the book, just the constant immersion in them and my inability to keep track of who was who and how the countless characters were related.   The inclusion of conflict with French traders added even more names to remember, yet introduced me to a period in history of which I knew little. 

The main character, Myeerah, fails to find acceptance with the tribe with whom she resides because she’s was born to a different one.  The story centers around her and her desire to shoot, ride, and assume the role of a warrior—desires that dominate her thoughts and set her aside from other Indian maidens.  The author’s writing is crisp, clean and very picturesque, which lends to the reader assuming a role in the story, although, in my opinion, often a confused one.  The use of various Indian dialects and a mixture of tenses in the presentation caused me to often close the book and return at a later time.

 Mr. Moore has done extensive research and written a book guaranteed to introduce or reacquaint you with details you might not know or remember from high school.  I found myself lost quite a few times and had to go back and re-read portions of the book to keep the characters and their POVs straight in my mind.  More than anything, I appreciated the detailed glimpses into the life, history and beliefs of the tribes featured in the novel. I enjoyed being part of the story in that respect.

Comprehension issues are often not the fault of the author, but rather the reader, however in perusing other reviews Mr. Moore has received, I see I’m not the only person to touch on the countless names and POV issues in the book.  Regardless, I invite you to read and make your own judgments.  Clearly, Mr. Moore is a talented author who believes in maintaining his historical credibility and has garnered many favored reviews.  I wouldn't hesitate to read more of his work and hopefully find fewer characters he believes vital to the story.  I also apologize to Mr. Moore for the prolonged period between receiving his work and performing my review.  Health issues kept me sidelined for a time.