Book Review -- Captive Spirit

Sonoran Desert. Dawn of the sixteenth century.

Aiyana isn't like the other girls of the White Ant Clan. Instead of keeping house, she longs to compete on the Ball Court with her best friend Honovi and the other boys. Instead of marriage, she daydreams of traveling beyond the mountains that surround her small village. Only Honovi knows and shares her forbidden wish, though Aiyana doesn't realize her friend has a secret wish of his own...

When Aiyana's father arranges her marriage to a man she hardly knows, she takes the advice of a tribal elder: run! In fleeing, she falls into the hands of Spanish raiders and finds herself being taken over the mountains against her will. Now Aiyana's on a quest to return to the very place she once dreamed of escaping. And she'll do whatever it takes to survive and find her way back to the people she loves.

I finally got around to reading Liz Fichera's Captive Spirit and am so glad I did!

This is a first person narrative told by 16 year old Aiyana and at its heart lies a sweet love story played out against the desert and mountains around what is now Phoenix Arizona.   Aiyana was a very likable character full of grit.  She thinks on her feet.  Through her challenges, Aiyana realizes her heart belongs at home with her best friend, Honovi.  (I love the friends to lovers theme :happy sigh:)

Fichera weaves the intricacies of Native American daily life and ceremonies beautifully, bringing to life details that made me feel like I was there.  Heart-racing action, life-threatening challenges, and coming of age self-discovery are emotional and vividly written.

Captive Spirit was a well researched, captivating read.  I highly recommend it and am looking forward to Fichera's next release, Craving Perfect, due out this July 25th!