Blog Tour: The Spirit Keeper

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Plume (September 24, 2013)

In 1747 Pennsylvania, a trading post on the American frontier was an unsettling place, allowing little opportunity for a woman’s happiness.  This is truest perhaps for seventeen-year-old Katie O’Toole, the thirteenth child of an unhappy Irish immigrant family.   Yet, Katie dreams of a different life, unaware that someone far away was dreaming of her.  Evocative of Geraldine Brook’s Caleb’s Crossing, K.B. Laugheed’s extraordinary debut novel, The Spirit Keeper (Plume Original / October 2013 / $16.00) is Katie’s engrossing first-person account, as she leaves behind her painful past in order to accept a new identity and the great love that comes with it.

When savages raid the O’Toole home, Katie is taken captive by two strange Indians who claim they have been searching for her.  Protected by his companion Hector, Syawa is a gifted holyman who can see the future through dreams.  Syawa claims he has seen Katie in his vision: a Creature of Fire and Ice who will bring a great gift to his people.
Despite her flaming red hair and ice-blue eyes, Katie looks upon him incredulously, but faced with the alternative of returning to her abusive family, she agrees to join them.  Soon, their travel westward takes an irreversible turn.  Katie discovers that to fulfill Syawa’s vision, she must become his Spirit Keeper, embarking on an epic journey that will change her life—and heart—forever.
The Spirit Keeper captures the soul of a young woman on a quest to discover herself during a remarkable adventure across the New World.


My Review:

This book started out kind of slow for me. The lack of a common language between Katie and Syawa and Hector kind of made things slow going. Once it starts to get going and Katie learns how to communicate, it picks up nicely! It was pretty interesting to get a good idea about where Katie came from. Her family was detestable! I was not at all sad to see them go! I loved the wild emotional ride this book took me on! Make sure to section off at least an afternoon to devote to this book! It's such a great story!


I really loved this book!

About K. B. Laugheed

K.B. Laugheed is an organic gardener and master naturalist who has spent a lifetime feeding the earth.  Her efforts have culminated in The Spirit Keeper, her first novel and largest contribution to the potluck so far.

For more info on K. B. Laugheed and her work, visit her website, kblaugheed.com.