Susan Donnell

I read this in high school, circa 2003-ish. And even at that age I was furious that this book was in the school library. In the Biography section, of all places! It's a wildly inaccurate romance loosely inspired by history. Very, very, VERY LOOSELY.

To be clear, I'm not objecting to the sex or romance as a genre or sex in romances aimed at young adults. I'm objecting to the premise that Pocahontas and John Smith were ever involved--the historical record clearly shows that they weren't. She was TWELVE YEARS OLD when they met and he was twenty-eight! This is a myth that's damaging to Native Americans and contributes to (white) America's over-inflated ego. That this book was sold as historically accurate (and written by a self-proclaimed descendant) is a travesty.

Save yourself the irritation.… (mehr)

I hated how the book began. Why start a book when the Princess is going to London and then jump back to where it SHOULD start in the beginning of her adventure?! THEN the book continues on and goes back to England so you have to go back and read the 1st chapter again to really understand what is going on!
She went to England with her sister, why is there talk between them about the differences in the strange world? Where is she getting all of these dresses and jewels?
When Chapter 2 begins that is where Chapter 1 should be! I enjoyed the first part of the book but the "split" ending really aggravated me.
I think it funny that Pocohantas is beating herself up after she becomes a Christian for her lustfull feelings. As a young girl she was concerned about them and when she mentioned them to her father she isn't treated like a bad person and told to pray, she is accepted for being human. The English and their religion may not have sacrifice of animals but the amount of guilt it put on people was and is enormous.
We know in our hearts what is right and what is not. Pocohantas was a beautifull woman and I thnk it would be nice to put the actual portait of her and her son Thomas instead of a huge picture of the author.… (mehr)

I have always been facisnated with Pocahontas, even before the romanticised Disney's version. I have also found early American history as fascinating. It was not surpeise then that I recieved this book as a gift in 1991 from my mommy. I read, of course, but unfortunately, I was too young to comprehend as it was far too advanced (I was Ten). I've had it on by bookshelf, brought it with me when I went to college, settled in a home, and placed it again on my bookshelf. I began reaing it again for the second time and fell in love with Pocahontas all over again. This time, I found myself mesmerized with the description of nature, focused on Pocahontas inner thoughts and that of Smith's and wished there was room for Rolfes' voice. I wished the ending would change into a happy ending for Pocahontas and Smith, but history and this story tells us differently. I cried before I reached the last chapter knowing Pocahontas' fate. I strongly recommend this book. I intend to read it again for the third time and eager to read something that I did not catch the first two times.… (mehr)