Faythe of North Hinkapee, by James T. Hogg, is a historical epic set in 17th-century colonial America.  The story focuses on the small settlement of North Hinkapee, but moves through the families and visitors, showing many different aspects of colonial life. Faythe’s story begins when her sister is attacked, and without money or social power in their family, Faythe has to find her own justice.

The novel is epic, both in length and scope. I enjoyed the scale because it’s not just a drama, it’s an engaging look at life in a different time. Good historical fiction can show readers how people thought in the past, what they valued, what their challenges were and how they coped with those challenges. Readers can enjoy the story, and also think about how the past shaped the present.

Alongside Faythe, the book includes many other well-developed characters. This allows readers to see colonial life from many different perspectives. The book explores social class in the colonies, as well as  tensions between colonists and native Americans.  Many other reviewers also note the book’s wide cast of developed, complex characters. For example, Megan Weiss for Reader Views says:

While Faythe is portrayed as the main heroine, characters such as Sheriff Jones, Nununyi and Katakuk, Tommy, Miles, Robert, and more have heavy roles in weaving the tapestry of the tale.  The dangers of Indian attacks, the corruption of those who had wealth, and the simple adversities of everyday colonial life were portrayed poignantly.  It felt like I was right beside the characters, involved in the events and outcome of the book as much as they were.

Jennifer Ibiam for Readers’ Favorite says:

Faythe was also an intriguing character through whom I saw the power of worthy relationships. She had no wealth but leveraged people like Merten, Tommy, Nununyi, Jens, Julie, Remembrance, Jones, Menon, and other allies. No matter how busy our lives are, we must learn to build a community of quality people. They are gifts. We need more Mrs. Wormers who create safe spaces for women. She was strict but kind and one of my favorite characters. Nununyi was another character I loved. She knew how to care for loved ones and was level-headed. Miles was an absolute waste of oxygen. I could not deal with such a level of weak will and playing the ostrich.

I liked that in Faythe of North Hinkapee, even the villains had their own motivations, which worked to ground the story in relatable realism, and to develop the world. One of the villains simply felt he was entitled to a young girl, even if he had to take her by force, and that overall feeling of entitlement from a favored son of a wealthy family felt believable.  From that attack, other characters react according to their own interests, whether they’re seeking revenge or a cover-up, or as the story progresses, whether they’re simply motivated by greed. Another villain works to protect her family, which felt believable even when that motive led her to accept and do awful things. Faythe’s storyline is also powered by love for her sister.

Although I enjoyed the novel overall, I found the pacing uneven. Most scenes moved quickly, developing characters and advancing the plot, but other scenes dragged and felt repetitive.  This book was originally published as a series, so I wonder if the slower moments were originally meant as intentional recaps for readers picking up the next book later. Stick with the slower parts, it’ll pick up again.

Modern historical-fiction readers are becoming more and more aware of whose stories have been left out of historical fiction. Recent historical novels make an effort to include those characters and perspectives, which gives readers a fuller and more interesting story about the past.  Faythe of North Hinkapee tries to look at all different lifestyles, backgrounds, and classes in the colonies.

Overall, Faythe of North Hinkapee is an epic historical drama from a new author.