Customer Reviews

Drums of Change (Women of the West #12)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

(...)

This book was a HUGE disappointment. The beginning was GREAT. It was very descriptive and enjoyable. But, as the book neared the end, I was hugely disappointed. Mrs. Oke skipped some major parts toward the end. The ending was not at all satisfying and it didn't even fit the story. It was unexpected and not good, to my better judgment. I was VERY disappointed and strongly feel that this is DEFINITELY not Oke's best. The plot did not lead up to the ending...although I enjoy a bit of romance (that occurred in the ending), in this book, it did not seem to fit WHATSOEVER!! In conclusion, I feel this book deserves three stars, because, I didn't care for the ending and I didn't like the last 2 or 3 chapters of the book...it seemed as though Oke got tired of writing it, therefore, it seemed as though she hurried to finished it, depriving us of details on key information.

Definitely a slow starter, this one didn't grab me right from the beginning the way most Oke books do, but I was glad I stayed with Running Fawn until the story picked up. While far from the best in the series, _Drums of Change_ shows the huge gap between two cultures very well, as well as the confusion of a girl who is taken from one world and placed into the other. Without a doubt, there are some shining moments, but if you found it a little dragging, try another book from this series before you give up on Janette Oke.

Well, we were supposed to chose a book from all the books in the library for a book record. I have chosen this book from all others and it appeals to me that it's a wonderful book, a book worth reading. Vivid descriptions that makes me feel as though i was in the surrounding too, experiencing the events.

Janette Oke is by far my favorite Christian author. I liked this book because it taught me about the Native Americans and their culture. I felt touched that the missionary cared so much about Running Fawn's tribe. When Running Fawn finally accepted the Christian faith, I wanted to jump up and cheer! This book also shows people that Jesus loves everyone: no matter what color or race you are or how different you are from others.

The entire story depicts Running Fawn as a strong woman, unwilling to give into the missionaries and their beliefs. The entire ending just doesn't go with the rest of the book, within ten pages, she went from being true to her heritage and beliefs, to a baptized christian. It was disappointing to say the least

This an excellent read. Suitable for all ages.

Of all the Women of the West series, this is one I would happily read again. Oke challenges the ideas that all white men were out to eradicate Native Americans on either side of the border. She gives a perspective that we don't often see in fiction.

This is by far her best attempt at historical fiction. I hope we get more like this.

My mother is in her eighties. This book I purchased for her and at her request. Reading is and has always been a great pleasure for her. Since most authors write in a similar vein throughout their books I had suggested a couple of different authors in the past that I thought might interest her. One author had published a great number of books which show up on every store shelf and occupy a good portion of a shelf in any library. I figured people must like her writing so I suggested that author. Wrong choice. Too realistic and depressing for a work of fiction was my mother's verdict

Janette Oke was an author I suggested after I had made my poor suggestion. Janette more than compensated for my earlier poor suggestion. Since the first novel my mother has read by Janette Oke, she has loved this author's books and some of them especially well. "Drums of Change" is one of those. No sooner had it arrived than she had dived back into it to read it again.

Personally, I know nothing of this book. Never read the jacket, have no idea regarding the story but can see firsthand the pleasure a good story has given my mother. Usually my mother will read a book borrowed from the library and there are a few she has liked well enough to want to own and they have been purchased. I have observed that she has purchased a few now by this author. That is high praise. Not only does she purchase them to enjoy as her own and to read once again but a couple she read again as soon as they arrived. That, I call "making them your own"

Changes and life altering decisions come to each of us whether we actively respond to them or not. From discussion with my mother, it is the exploration as an outsider of making the choice that seems so obvious to the reader that appeals to her.

It's difficult to evaluate Drums of Change (The Story of Running Fawn). The response of the reader will depend entirely on what they are looking for. No doubt, fans of historical Christian fiction will enjoy much of the story. Running Fawn, a young Blackfoot girl, is torn by a conflict between the old ways of her band and new ideas coming from a white Christian missionary and his "black book." The prose is breezy and Janette Oke writes a plot-driven, moderately fast-paced novel. The major problem is an unexplainable drop off in the story where there should be a climax. In accepting the faith of the Christian missionary, but forsaking his proposal for that of a fellow Blackfoot, we are given a sloppily delivered anticlimax. There is no excitement, no doubt and hardly a detail to add richness and depth to what all Janette Oke readers have come to expect. But for the narrative decline in the last 40-50 pages, this book would rate higher based on entertainment value.

This book arrived in superb condition. It was a request for my mom for Christmas and she absolutely loves it!