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Spirit Keeper #1
The Spirit Keeper
A fiery frontier woman falls deeply in love with her Native American captor on an epic journey
The thirteenth child conceived of miserable Irish exiles, Katie O’Toole dreams of a different life. Little does she know that someone far away is dreaming of her.
In 1747, savages raid her family home, and seventeen-year-old Katie is taken captive. Syawa and Hector have been searching for her, guided by Syawa’s dreams. A young Holyman, Syawa believes Katie is the subject of his Vision: the Creature of Fire and Ice, destined to bring a great gift to his people. Despite her flaming hair and ice-blue eyes, Katie is certain he is mistaken, but faced with returning to her family, she agrees to join them. She soon discovers that in order to fulfill Syawa’s Vision, she must first become his Spirit Keeper, embarking on an epic journey that will change her life—and heart—forever.
The thirteenth child conceived of miserable Irish exiles, Katie O’Toole dreams of a different life. Little does she know that someone far away is dreaming of her.
In 1747, savages raid her family home, and seventeen-year-old Katie is taken captive. Syawa and Hector have been searching for her, guided by Syawa’s dreams. A young Holyman, Syawa believes Katie is the subject of his Vision: the Creature of Fire and Ice, destined to bring a great gift to his people. Despite her flaming hair and ice-blue eyes, Katie is certain he is mistaken, but faced with returning to her family, she agrees to join them. She soon discovers that in order to fulfill Syawa’s Vision, she must first become his Spirit Keeper, embarking on an epic journey that will change her life—and heart—forever.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
not-with-a-ten-foot-pole
October 14, 2014Magic white woman saves 'Indian' of unknown (nice way to avoid research) tribe? nah. count me the fuck out - especially after reading all the four and five-star reviews bandying about words like 'savage'. Let's not, people.
October 13, 2020
Let's give the cover some appreciation 👏👏👏
This book was beautiful. The perspective, the magical elements, the romance. It was all balanced so perfectly.
I did think the plot was convoluted and disjointed, however. Katie's whole goal here is to give a Gift to the native people, but she spends the entire book wandering aimlessly through different communities, occasionally bemoaning her fate and fretting about this Gift, but doing nothing much to help her situation.
Katie and Hector's romance was sweet and gradual and just perfect overall. They start off as complete strangers, but the way they grow and learn more about each other was beautiful. Their journey as a whole was lush and filled with wonderful characters.
I've seen some reviews criticizing the depiction of Hector and Syawa as "savages" in the beginning - but I think that's realistic with the time period. It's 1747. Katie was raised by parents who taught her that all natives were savage and brutal. This is written from her perspective. Naturally she would think about Hector and Syawa this way at first.
Overall, this was a beautiful little book packed with evocative imagery, creative prose, and lovable characters.
This book was beautiful. The perspective, the magical elements, the romance. It was all balanced so perfectly.
I did think the plot was convoluted and disjointed, however. Katie's whole goal here is to give a Gift to the native people, but she spends the entire book wandering aimlessly through different communities, occasionally bemoaning her fate and fretting about this Gift, but doing nothing much to help her situation.
Katie and Hector's romance was sweet and gradual and just perfect overall. They start off as complete strangers, but the way they grow and learn more about each other was beautiful. Their journey as a whole was lush and filled with wonderful characters.
I've seen some reviews criticizing the depiction of Hector and Syawa as "savages" in the beginning - but I think that's realistic with the time period. It's 1747. Katie was raised by parents who taught her that all natives were savage and brutal. This is written from her perspective. Naturally she would think about Hector and Syawa this way at first.
Overall, this was a beautiful little book packed with evocative imagery, creative prose, and lovable characters.
March 20, 2014
Below is the body of an e-mail I received soliciting the novel The Spirit Keeper:
“My name is Kathy Laugheed & my debut novel, The Spirit Keeper, was recently published by the Plume Division of Penguin Books. I am writing to ask that you consider acquiring a copy of my book for your library (if you have not already done so).
I'm sure your patrons will enjoy having a chance to read this compelling Indian captivity narrative, which takes readers on an adventure from frontier Pennsylvania up the Missouri River in 1747. Please be aware there is much more to the story than the steamy romance promoted by Penguin--it was all I could do to keep my editor from turning the Indians in my book into vampires!”
I almost vomited in my mouth when I read that the editor wanted to turn the Indians into vampires. When did Indians and vampires become interchangeable in garbage novels? I figured this had to be a joke, so I followed the link to her webpage and it just became even more unbelievable. Drunken Irish and savage Indians?! Really?! The reviews posted on GoodReads raving about this book were the bright big bow on top - on top of this steaming, hot mess of a book.
A word of advice for Ms. Laugheed, investigate your audience. None of my colleagues in the tribal library world would appreciate this e-mail or your book. I can say with confidence that very few of my Native patrons would waste their time on this story.
“My name is Kathy Laugheed & my debut novel, The Spirit Keeper, was recently published by the Plume Division of Penguin Books. I am writing to ask that you consider acquiring a copy of my book for your library (if you have not already done so).
I'm sure your patrons will enjoy having a chance to read this compelling Indian captivity narrative, which takes readers on an adventure from frontier Pennsylvania up the Missouri River in 1747. Please be aware there is much more to the story than the steamy romance promoted by Penguin--it was all I could do to keep my editor from turning the Indians in my book into vampires!”
I almost vomited in my mouth when I read that the editor wanted to turn the Indians into vampires. When did Indians and vampires become interchangeable in garbage novels? I figured this had to be a joke, so I followed the link to her webpage and it just became even more unbelievable. Drunken Irish and savage Indians?! Really?! The reviews posted on GoodReads raving about this book were the bright big bow on top - on top of this steaming, hot mess of a book.
A word of advice for Ms. Laugheed, investigate your audience. None of my colleagues in the tribal library world would appreciate this e-mail or your book. I can say with confidence that very few of my Native patrons would waste their time on this story.
May 13, 2014
I love stories of frontier life and the American West. Throw in a European woman falling in love with her Native American captor, and I'm totally there. So I was really looking forward to reading The Spirit Keeper. It's hard to go into much detail about plot without giving anything away, so I'll let the back cover blurb speak for itself and tell you how the story affected me. I was drawn to Katie right away. Her life before being captured (or rescued, depending on how you look at it) is vividly recreated in her memories as she compares and contrasts her old life with her new, and throughout the story, her emotions, particularly her keen sense of being unloved and unwanted, and then her joy and uplifting as those old fears were conquered, were living, tangible things.
The story kept me on the edge of my seat, burning through the pages to figure out what Syawa's vision entailed and what Katie's special gift for his people would be, and I was both pleasantly surprised and then somewhat disappointed at the twists and turns the story took as more of the vision was revealed because it ended up being not quite what I was expecting (nor what Katie was expecting either), and I was left feeling like the story could have gone much deeper. I know that seems odd to say of a story all about the power of dreams and visions and spiritual connections, and I can't quite put my finger on it, but it just feels like an opportunity was missed for a more profound message. The novel is on the shorter side, so more time certainly could have been spent exploring the central themes in more detail, and I would have enjoyed reading it. I wanted more of Katie and her companions. And while Katie really struggled all of her previous life and in the beginning of this journey, I couldn't help but feel that some things happened too easily for her toward the end. The Spirit Keeper strikes me as being more like a dressed up historical romance--which is totally fine by me, I love 'em! I say this so that those who aren't into romance are aware. And on another note, I was not bothered at all by the historical language and spellings, but there were a few anachronisms that will probably catch the eye of devoted historical fiction readers.
But overall, this emotional journey really put me through the wringer. I laughed, I cried, I sighed in contentment. The characters are very well drawn and the description and depictions of Native American beliefs, customs, and rituals were mesmerizing, as was watching Katie's transformation from a downtrodden, browbeaten farm girl to a strong and fearless--and loved--warrior. The Spirit Keeper is a quick and intense read and should appeal to anyone who loves historical fiction with a strong romantic element. I'm looking forward to more from this author, especially since there is plenty of room for a sequel!
The story kept me on the edge of my seat, burning through the pages to figure out what Syawa's vision entailed and what Katie's special gift for his people would be, and I was both pleasantly surprised and then somewhat disappointed at the twists and turns the story took as more of the vision was revealed because it ended up being not quite what I was expecting (nor what Katie was expecting either), and I was left feeling like the story could have gone much deeper. I know that seems odd to say of a story all about the power of dreams and visions and spiritual connections, and I can't quite put my finger on it, but it just feels like an opportunity was missed for a more profound message. The novel is on the shorter side, so more time certainly could have been spent exploring the central themes in more detail, and I would have enjoyed reading it. I wanted more of Katie and her companions. And while Katie really struggled all of her previous life and in the beginning of this journey, I couldn't help but feel that some things happened too easily for her toward the end. The Spirit Keeper strikes me as being more like a dressed up historical romance--which is totally fine by me, I love 'em! I say this so that those who aren't into romance are aware. And on another note, I was not bothered at all by the historical language and spellings, but there were a few anachronisms that will probably catch the eye of devoted historical fiction readers.
But overall, this emotional journey really put me through the wringer. I laughed, I cried, I sighed in contentment. The characters are very well drawn and the description and depictions of Native American beliefs, customs, and rituals were mesmerizing, as was watching Katie's transformation from a downtrodden, browbeaten farm girl to a strong and fearless--and loved--warrior. The Spirit Keeper is a quick and intense read and should appeal to anyone who loves historical fiction with a strong romantic element. I'm looking forward to more from this author, especially since there is plenty of room for a sequel!
March 23, 2020
Dear God. This book.
Where do I begin??
I only finished this book because I had paid money for it and I refused to see that money wasted (at least more than it already has been).
WHERE DO I EVEN FREAKING BEGIN, THOUGH???
When I picked this up, I anticipated a historical-fiction, a touch of romance, a dive into Native American lore and a worthy writing on American (both native and non-native) lore.
Boy. I overestimated how far this book can perform.
Let's start with Laugheed's liberal usage of the word "savage". It was absolutely repulsive. Laugheed's Katie O'Toole continued to use the word long after Katie should have learned otherwise - she CONTINUED to call Native people "Savage" and it was incredibly painful.
2) Laugheed did little, if any, reliable research prior to writing this book. She may have thought she had escaped the need for research by omitting the names of any tribes (and therefore not needing to concrete tribal customs, languages, names, etc), but instead, it made her writing and storytelling look painfully unprepared and weak.
There is a point when Katie has to "teach" Native Americans about horses.
Am I mistaken in my belief that by the 1700s....NATIVE PLAINS PEOPLE HAD HORSES???
Laugheed also NEVER used actual Native names, but rather had Katie "mispronounce" names and then continued to use those names.
For example, Syawa and Hector are not named Syawa and Hector. Rather than USE THEIR
REAL NAMES, Katie "makes up" those two names for them so that she doesn't have to "learn" their real names.
We never find out what they are really named.
Meanwhile, Hector learns how to say Katie's name perfectly.
3) Everyone is a freaking idiot and a freaking caricature of their race.
Native Americans are portrayed as simple-minded, obsessively-peaceful or obsessively-warlike and there is no character beyond that.
The French are basically every bad thing the French have ever been called.
Katie is every Irish stereotype. EVERY SINGLE ONE.
The Priest is a priest who is obsessed with being a priest.
The Spanish are all, basically, Inigo Montoya mixed with Hernan Cortes.
I would be appalled at how feeble-minded Laugheed portrayed her Native peoples...were not literally everyone else in this book not a watery idiot as well.
4) Where? The HEck? Did Hector? and Katie's? Romance? Come From?
I'm sorry - they go from barely talking and barely tolerating each other to...being in each other's pants and getting married??? Then HEctor says he didn't want to talk to Katie because he "Wanted Her" so badly??
Ew.
Ew.
Ew.
WHILE ON THAT THOUGHT TRAIN, Their relationship was also very very very very red-flaggy for abuse? And it hints that Katie KNOWS this and CHOOSES to love and accept and forgive Hector for being somewhat violent and harsh to her because...love?
5) The end was the most disappointing part of this book (which is HARD to explain because everything about this book was disappointing). Not only did it not seem to finish the story arch it started, it also didn't bother to explain any of the personal-development questions Katie was asking herself.
But its ok. Because Laugheed threw in a trans character at the very end so...?? we gotta take it and love it, I suppose.
All in all, this book was flat, boring and absolutely a waste of time and I HATE saying that. I HATE negative reviews.
I can't think of anything good to say, except Syawa (or whatever his real name is) was a nice character. while he lasted.
Where do I begin??
I only finished this book because I had paid money for it and I refused to see that money wasted (at least more than it already has been).
WHERE DO I EVEN FREAKING BEGIN, THOUGH???
When I picked this up, I anticipated a historical-fiction, a touch of romance, a dive into Native American lore and a worthy writing on American (both native and non-native) lore.
Boy. I overestimated how far this book can perform.
Let's start with Laugheed's liberal usage of the word "savage". It was absolutely repulsive. Laugheed's Katie O'Toole continued to use the word long after Katie should have learned otherwise - she CONTINUED to call Native people "Savage" and it was incredibly painful.
2) Laugheed did little, if any, reliable research prior to writing this book. She may have thought she had escaped the need for research by omitting the names of any tribes (and therefore not needing to concrete tribal customs, languages, names, etc), but instead, it made her writing and storytelling look painfully unprepared and weak.
There is a point when Katie has to "teach" Native Americans about horses.
Am I mistaken in my belief that by the 1700s....NATIVE PLAINS PEOPLE HAD HORSES???
Laugheed also NEVER used actual Native names, but rather had Katie "mispronounce" names and then continued to use those names.
For example, Syawa and Hector are not named Syawa and Hector. Rather than USE THEIR
REAL NAMES, Katie "makes up" those two names for them so that she doesn't have to "learn" their real names.
We never find out what they are really named.
Meanwhile, Hector learns how to say Katie's name perfectly.
3) Everyone is a freaking idiot and a freaking caricature of their race.
Native Americans are portrayed as simple-minded, obsessively-peaceful or obsessively-warlike and there is no character beyond that.
The French are basically every bad thing the French have ever been called.
Katie is every Irish stereotype. EVERY SINGLE ONE.
The Priest is a priest who is obsessed with being a priest.
The Spanish are all, basically, Inigo Montoya mixed with Hernan Cortes.
I would be appalled at how feeble-minded Laugheed portrayed her Native peoples...were not literally everyone else in this book not a watery idiot as well.
4) Where? The HEck? Did Hector? and Katie's? Romance? Come From?
I'm sorry - they go from barely talking and barely tolerating each other to...being in each other's pants and getting married??? Then HEctor says he didn't want to talk to Katie because he "Wanted Her" so badly??
Ew.
Ew.
Ew.
WHILE ON THAT THOUGHT TRAIN, Their relationship was also very very very very red-flaggy for abuse? And it hints that Katie KNOWS this and CHOOSES to love and accept and forgive Hector for being somewhat violent and harsh to her because...love?
5) The end was the most disappointing part of this book (which is HARD to explain because everything about this book was disappointing). Not only did it not seem to finish the story arch it started, it also didn't bother to explain any of the personal-development questions Katie was asking herself.
But its ok. Because Laugheed threw in a trans character at the very end so...?? we gotta take it and love it, I suppose.
All in all, this book was flat, boring and absolutely a waste of time and I HATE saying that. I HATE negative reviews.
I can't think of anything good to say, except Syawa (or whatever his real name is) was a nice character. while he lasted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2015
The Spirit Keeper is well written, and I enjoyed the fact that the author gave enough dialect of the era to give a feel for the period. Unfortunately, that's all I can say that's positive. The word savage is overused. The Native people were treated like children, and the story resorted to the usual stereotype that they needed to be saved by a white person.
The main character had been raped in her past, but she never acted like she had been. She kept saying how stupid she was as well as the main male character. I won't give spoilers to the ending, but I found it appalling. The book shows nothing of what the real world of the Native Americans was like, and it's a total insult to their way of life.
The main character had been raped in her past, but she never acted like she had been. She kept saying how stupid she was as well as the main male character. I won't give spoilers to the ending, but I found it appalling. The book shows nothing of what the real world of the Native Americans was like, and it's a total insult to their way of life.
October 25, 2013
The author gives a very different twist to the traditional “kidnapped by Native Americans” narrative. I found the book intriguing and refreshing. Words of wisdom spoken by Swaya, a kind of Native American mystic, will linger long. The book gives insight into Native American culture. More importantly, it explores how we transcend cultural barriers, learn to communicate, and appreciate those very different than ourselves. The ending is weak, but that pales in comparison to the enjoyment I found in reading the entire book. Highly recommended.
I thank LibraryThing for supplying the advance reader's copy.
I thank LibraryThing for supplying the advance reader's copy.
November 18, 2013
I gobbled up this fun-filled action-packed adventure story set in 1747 Colonial America where savages and mayhem are everywhere as well as a savior for an abused Katie O'Toole. This touching love story with a gifted Holyman and his hunk bodyguard rescue Katie and take her on journey that changes her life and heart forever. Perhaps more of a young adult genre, but I really enjoyed it just the same.
August 4, 2019
The Spirit Keeper is a quick, entertaining read, characterized by the sharp narration of Katie O'Toole. Living on the frontier and eager to return to the city she loves, Katie is treated poorly by her family, constantly berated by her mother and down-trodden from a life full of harsh circumstances. She's not one to meekly go along with others, and when she is taken captive by a group of Native Americans, she is determined to survive. Her captors believe, or appear to believe, that she is destined to be a spirit keeper, and not only want her to survive but view her survival as paramount to their journey.
Katie is an intriguing character, with a distinct voice. While she does exhibit some growth, I thought her character could have gone deeper. There are parts of her story that I found more compelling than others, and though I found the romance sweet and humorous in some places, I found it lacking a tender element that I appreciate in romantic stories. Both characters have faults though and are honest about them, which is refreshing. She's not okay with him acting like a brute, and he's not okay with her acting immature. I guess I just wanted more growth for both of them.
The historical details feel realistic and the writing is engaging. I found the details of the different tribes fascinating, and it seems that the author did her research to add realism to those scenes. The story is very much a journey, so if that's not your thing, it might be a good idea to pass on this story. It does feel somewhat unfinished, but that's because there is a sequel, which I will probably read at some point. Though I found this to be missing a certain something that kept me from really falling in love with Katie and Hector, I still enjoyed the story and would like to see how things end up for them.
Katie is an intriguing character, with a distinct voice. While she does exhibit some growth, I thought her character could have gone deeper. There are parts of her story that I found more compelling than others, and though I found the romance sweet and humorous in some places, I found it lacking a tender element that I appreciate in romantic stories. Both characters have faults though and are honest about them, which is refreshing. She's not okay with him acting like a brute, and he's not okay with her acting immature. I guess I just wanted more growth for both of them.
The historical details feel realistic and the writing is engaging. I found the details of the different tribes fascinating, and it seems that the author did her research to add realism to those scenes. The story is very much a journey, so if that's not your thing, it might be a good idea to pass on this story. It does feel somewhat unfinished, but that's because there is a sequel, which I will probably read at some point. Though I found this to be missing a certain something that kept me from really falling in love with Katie and Hector, I still enjoyed the story and would like to see how things end up for them.
September 15, 2013
Katie is a seventeen year old Irish immigrant who is living a hard life, a tough mother and a drunken father and a crowded house with lots of siblings and their kids. Her life is full of beatings, hunger and sickness.
She wants nothing more than to get away from it all, only she didn't think it would be by being a captive to Native Americans.
Syawa and Hector have travelled very far and tiring journey in order to find the creature of Fire and Ice, the one Syawa (a seer) saw in a vision and need to bring back home to his people. That creature being Katie!
Slowly Katie realizes their intentions and why they treat her respectfully. On their long journey back home she starts to learn the language and the way of life, she tries to overcome her fears and let go of her hurtful past. And she learns about love and trust.
Most of the book is just that, a journey, a very detailed one, to the point where we are told about Katie's monthly every month, I should have kept count.
Most of these details are interesting and some are insights into Katie's past and life and why she is the person she is now.
And because of these details we see the progress of the romance and the relationship between the three travelers.
But the book was a little boring in some parts and I had to struggle to get past them in order to finish, I guess it's because it's narrated by Katie and she was having communicating problems with her travelers. Which also led to the fact that we knew very little about the other characters.
Also it was a bit philosophical for my taste, and I totally didn't get the ending, it somehow made me feel cheated.
Katie's conclusion at the end had me a bit disappointed as well.
this review is for an ARC courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley
She wants nothing more than to get away from it all, only she didn't think it would be by being a captive to Native Americans.
Syawa and Hector have travelled very far and tiring journey in order to find the creature of Fire and Ice, the one Syawa (a seer) saw in a vision and need to bring back home to his people. That creature being Katie!
Slowly Katie realizes their intentions and why they treat her respectfully. On their long journey back home she starts to learn the language and the way of life, she tries to overcome her fears and let go of her hurtful past. And she learns about love and trust.
Most of the book is just that, a journey, a very detailed one, to the point where we are told about Katie's monthly every month, I should have kept count.
Most of these details are interesting and some are insights into Katie's past and life and why she is the person she is now.
And because of these details we see the progress of the romance and the relationship between the three travelers.
But the book was a little boring in some parts and I had to struggle to get past them in order to finish, I guess it's because it's narrated by Katie and she was having communicating problems with her travelers. Which also led to the fact that we knew very little about the other characters.
Also it was a bit philosophical for my taste, and I totally didn't get the ending, it somehow made me feel cheated.
Katie's conclusion at the end had me a bit disappointed as well.
this review is for an ARC courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley
August 14, 2014
If Cinderella were an Irish immigrant this would be her story.
THE SPIRIT KEEPER is a summer read, what a friend refers to as a trashy novel. The heroine is a much-oppressed settler on the American frontier, long before anyone was taking up arms against the King. Katie is taken prisoner by Indian raiders, a common enough practice at the time, but she is unknowingly special because her captor has come all the way from the far west to find her because he had a vision about her.
The story touches on Native American culture but not in a way that seems all that accurate. Given that the tribal affiliation is never mentioned, it's hard to say. It's all quite fairy-tale-like in the telling, and given that this is very much a romance, it probably doesn't matter a bit.
So the abused daughter from the dysfunctional family goes off with her captors because it's better than remaining in the cinders, as it were, and she falls in love with a very unreliable narrator. Halfway through the novel there's a twist that is not unknown in light reading, and there are the usual dangers of cross country travel in the untamed wilderness.
Thanks to total immersion, Katie learns the language and the habits of her captor, comes to understand how they can believe what they do as compared to how whites believe what they do, and it's a happy ending all around. There's even a token LGBT character tossed in for diversity.
The novel is a good pick for a beach read or a lazy summer weekend.
THE SPIRIT KEEPER is a summer read, what a friend refers to as a trashy novel. The heroine is a much-oppressed settler on the American frontier, long before anyone was taking up arms against the King. Katie is taken prisoner by Indian raiders, a common enough practice at the time, but she is unknowingly special because her captor has come all the way from the far west to find her because he had a vision about her.
The story touches on Native American culture but not in a way that seems all that accurate. Given that the tribal affiliation is never mentioned, it's hard to say. It's all quite fairy-tale-like in the telling, and given that this is very much a romance, it probably doesn't matter a bit.
So the abused daughter from the dysfunctional family goes off with her captors because it's better than remaining in the cinders, as it were, and she falls in love with a very unreliable narrator. Halfway through the novel there's a twist that is not unknown in light reading, and there are the usual dangers of cross country travel in the untamed wilderness.
Thanks to total immersion, Katie learns the language and the habits of her captor, comes to understand how they can believe what they do as compared to how whites believe what they do, and it's a happy ending all around. There's even a token LGBT character tossed in for diversity.
The novel is a good pick for a beach read or a lazy summer weekend.
February 13, 2015
Disclaimer: I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Spirit Keeper is a combination of historical fiction and romance chronicling a teenager’s abduction by Indians from the Pennsylvania frontier. Overall, I would rate the book as an enjoyable 3.5/5.
The first third of the book was a bit rough and seemed to lack direction, but the plot eventually pulled itself together and held my interest. I enjoyed the complexity of the main characters and the gradual unveiling of their backstories, as well as the connectivity between past events that emerged throughout the novel. I was pleasantly surprised that the author avoided many of the predictable plot lines that I had anticipated.
Perhaps the book was meant to be a quick and easy read, but I do wish it had been longer and gone into more detail at times, such as in the first sections. The narration of Katie’s early captivity left something to be desired, and some of the minor characters had me rolling my eyes (particularly Katie’s mother and siblings in the early days of their captivity) with their flat and repetitious characterizations.
By the time the story was wrapping up, I did feel as if it were ending too soon and too abruptly – the author has clearly given herself room for a sequel here. I guess I don’t mind – I would certainly read it :)
The Spirit Keeper is a combination of historical fiction and romance chronicling a teenager’s abduction by Indians from the Pennsylvania frontier. Overall, I would rate the book as an enjoyable 3.5/5.
The first third of the book was a bit rough and seemed to lack direction, but the plot eventually pulled itself together and held my interest. I enjoyed the complexity of the main characters and the gradual unveiling of their backstories, as well as the connectivity between past events that emerged throughout the novel. I was pleasantly surprised that the author avoided many of the predictable plot lines that I had anticipated.
Perhaps the book was meant to be a quick and easy read, but I do wish it had been longer and gone into more detail at times, such as in the first sections. The narration of Katie’s early captivity left something to be desired, and some of the minor characters had me rolling my eyes (particularly Katie’s mother and siblings in the early days of their captivity) with their flat and repetitious characterizations.
By the time the story was wrapping up, I did feel as if it were ending too soon and too abruptly – the author has clearly given herself room for a sequel here. I guess I don’t mind – I would certainly read it :)
July 19, 2015
Looking forward to the sequel.
July 21, 2021
Solid read! The way it was written, the setting and plot, the adventure throughout the book, and everything the Heroine endured–good and bad– and the way she viewed the world were all wonderful. I have some Heroine’s I favor but no one has become my favorite like Katie. I adored her. Strong, brave, and smart are utterly accurate. When she stood up against certain characters and voiced her thoughts it was done so splendidly that I had a hard time not being enamored by her! She was so badass! How observant she is, and how she's able to spin a lie in such a way was a little icky but also admirable because it was her survival tact. I had a lot I enjoyed about this story and so much more I could add but I also have my gripes. I cried like a baby when Syawa died. I hated that his death was so predictable. He was a complex, charming, sweet as sugar character and it was easy to fall in love with him, and that's how I knew he was definitely being set up to die so it was a watery eye roll from me when it did happen. I liked Hector, but he was by no means a favorite of mine, and I was honestly a tad turned off by his personality at times but I think that stemmed more from the fact that he wasn't written all that well. I wasn't keen on how they were “meant to be together” whatever that meant, it was incredibly meh. I thought that their chemistry felt so platonic, they worked imo as good friends. I saw more chemistry from her Syawa than I ever did with Hector. Even when she had her fever dream about Syawa I felt their chemistry far more! I would've cherished this story if Syawa was still in it. I also wasn't fond of the fast-paced ending either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2025
A very well written story of a young Irish woman during the colonization era who was taken from her family by "savages" and her journey into their world. It touches on many topics from family relationships, the hypocrisy of religions, customs and rituals, history and geography, etc. Although I didn't like the ending and wished it carried on to the final steps of her journey or "hike" to the Pacific and arriving at their final destination, it was a very good story and a great summer read.
Revision: I have now discovered that there is a second book and that it takes us to her final destination! I'll be searching for a copy asap.
Revision: I have now discovered that there is a second book and that it takes us to her final destination! I'll be searching for a copy asap.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2016
This was wonderful! Beautifully written, great characterizations, and, oh god, just so good.
The story is told by Katie in the style of a memoir. What I thought was really well done was that it was written in her voice. And someone from Katie's background, having had an indifferent education, would not sound polished and prim, and Katie doesn't. You can hear the roughness of her upbringing in her speech.
It's not a very fast moving book, and yet it never feels slow. I was surprised that the beginning, which was light on dialogue as Katie didn't speak the same language as her captors, didn't feel too slow or heavy. Even as she just narrated her observations I was fully engaged.
There's a little bit of a spiritual element to it as one of the Native Americans that captures Katie is considered a Holyman and its believed he has visions (often through dreams). It is his vision for finding the "Creature of Fire and Ice" that leads him on a two-year Journey to find Katie. Now among certain Native American tribes, dreams were a means of gaining wisdom and guidance. Some believed in dream spirits or some would go on dream quests. So the idea of this Journey based on Sawya's dream it entirely plausible in this context. Where it became a little something more though is that later Katie would have dreams that were basically vague premonitions of the future, or memories of someone else's past. Normally I'm wary of anything supernatural being inserted into my history, but occasionally it can be pulled off. This is one of those occasions! It wasn't heavy-handed, but smoothly incorporated into the story. In fact, at times, Katie would even find ways to convince herself of logical excuses as to why/how she would know things thereby allowing the reader to believe the spiritual explanation or not.
I really enjoyed learning about different Native American customs, because as Katie is thrust into this new world and has to learn their way of life, so is the reader given an education about Native America practices, traditions, behavior, beliefs, etc. And it was all fascinating. And didn't read like a history lesson which can sometimes happen.
Anyway, much of the strength lay in the development of the characters. I don't want to give anything away so I won't go into details, but it was really interesting, and it felt authentic, seeing these characters change and grow. Each of them experienced something new and grew and it was wonderfully done.
The book was definitely left somewhat open for a sequel, but in this case I didn't mind it. Normally when an author sets up a sequel I am slightly infuriated, but although I know there will be a sequel (as they never actually get to the end of their Journey), this book still felt finished. I wasn't left with all these dangling questions. The author provided the amount of closure that I need from a book to leave me feeling satisfied, but yet I know that a sequel must follow and I'm looking forward to it! It was perfect.
The story is told by Katie in the style of a memoir. What I thought was really well done was that it was written in her voice. And someone from Katie's background, having had an indifferent education, would not sound polished and prim, and Katie doesn't. You can hear the roughness of her upbringing in her speech.
It's not a very fast moving book, and yet it never feels slow. I was surprised that the beginning, which was light on dialogue as Katie didn't speak the same language as her captors, didn't feel too slow or heavy. Even as she just narrated her observations I was fully engaged.
There's a little bit of a spiritual element to it as one of the Native Americans that captures Katie is considered a Holyman and its believed he has visions (often through dreams). It is his vision for finding the "Creature of Fire and Ice" that leads him on a two-year Journey to find Katie. Now among certain Native American tribes, dreams were a means of gaining wisdom and guidance. Some believed in dream spirits or some would go on dream quests. So the idea of this Journey based on Sawya's dream it entirely plausible in this context. Where it became a little something more though is that later Katie would have dreams that were basically vague premonitions of the future, or memories of someone else's past. Normally I'm wary of anything supernatural being inserted into my history, but occasionally it can be pulled off. This is one of those occasions! It wasn't heavy-handed, but smoothly incorporated into the story. In fact, at times, Katie would even find ways to convince herself of logical excuses as to why/how she would know things thereby allowing the reader to believe the spiritual explanation or not.
I really enjoyed learning about different Native American customs, because as Katie is thrust into this new world and has to learn their way of life, so is the reader given an education about Native America practices, traditions, behavior, beliefs, etc. And it was all fascinating. And didn't read like a history lesson which can sometimes happen.
Anyway, much of the strength lay in the development of the characters. I don't want to give anything away so I won't go into details, but it was really interesting, and it felt authentic, seeing these characters change and grow. Each of them experienced something new and grew and it was wonderfully done.
The book was definitely left somewhat open for a sequel, but in this case I didn't mind it. Normally when an author sets up a sequel I am slightly infuriated, but although I know there will be a sequel (as they never actually get to the end of their Journey), this book still felt finished. I wasn't left with all these dangling questions. The author provided the amount of closure that I need from a book to leave me feeling satisfied, but yet I know that a sequel must follow and I'm looking forward to it! It was perfect.
August 26, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed 'The Spirit Keeper'. Katie O'Toole had a difficult and abusive life growing up and she was only 17 when captured by the Indians. We see her grow and move beyond the negative influence of her younger years as the story progresses. With the descriptive writing, I could visualize the journey as they trekked westward away from the colonies into the unsettled wilderness. I'm no expert on early Native American culture, so I can not say how true to life everything described is, but I did enjoy the parts about the customs and way of life among the different Indian tribes they encountered along the way.
I was slightly unsatisfied with the ending... I'm not sure if it was deliberate, perhaps leading up to a sequel, or if the book intended the focus to be on the characters' growth and not the journey itself. There were a few questions left unanswered and they were still enroute to their destination. I would like to have had the entire story with them reaching their final destination.
There are three main characters and a host of supporting secondary characters. I thought Laugheed did a wonderful job with the main characters' development and even a few of the secondary characters really stood out.
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for high school age and older. This is K.B. Laugheed's debut novel and definately an author to watch.
(I received an advance uncorrected copy for an honest review.)
I was slightly unsatisfied with the ending... I'm not sure if it was deliberate, perhaps leading up to a sequel, or if the book intended the focus to be on the characters' growth and not the journey itself. There were a few questions left unanswered and they were still enroute to their destination. I would like to have had the entire story with them reaching their final destination.
There are three main characters and a host of supporting secondary characters. I thought Laugheed did a wonderful job with the main characters' development and even a few of the secondary characters really stood out.
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for high school age and older. This is K.B. Laugheed's debut novel and definately an author to watch.
(I received an advance uncorrected copy for an honest review.)
December 27, 2013
I loved this book. I fell into the story immediately. Young Katie O'Toole is caring for children in the attic room of her crowded pioneer home when she hears the blood chilling battle cry. Her family is being attacked by Indians.. She can do nothing but wait upstairs as she hears the chaos outside. Slowly she hears the warriors making their way toward the stairs...
Katie, her mom and sister are taken captive along with a few children. But why do two of the Indians (who look so differently from the others) stay so close to her and treat her preferentially? She soon learns that one of these braves is a visionary who saw her in a vision as a creature of fire and ice (red hair and blue eyes) and treks across the country to take her to his home. Katie must make a decision. Should she continue with the braves or return to a french fort with her mother and sister? Having suffered brutality every day of her life at the hands of her family, Katie takes her chances with the warriors. The story of their journey will leave you unable to put this book down. I learned so much about early pioneer life as well as early Native Americans. The juxtaposition of the two cultures as they make their way across a young America is fascinating. I wasn't ready for this book to end!
Read this book if...
*you love historical fiction
*you love adventure novels
*you love stories about Native Americans and pioneers
Katie, her mom and sister are taken captive along with a few children. But why do two of the Indians (who look so differently from the others) stay so close to her and treat her preferentially? She soon learns that one of these braves is a visionary who saw her in a vision as a creature of fire and ice (red hair and blue eyes) and treks across the country to take her to his home. Katie must make a decision. Should she continue with the braves or return to a french fort with her mother and sister? Having suffered brutality every day of her life at the hands of her family, Katie takes her chances with the warriors. The story of their journey will leave you unable to put this book down. I learned so much about early pioneer life as well as early Native Americans. The juxtaposition of the two cultures as they make their way across a young America is fascinating. I wasn't ready for this book to end!
Read this book if...
*you love historical fiction
*you love adventure novels
*you love stories about Native Americans and pioneers
July 23, 2016
4.5
I am surprised how much I enjoyed this book! I saw it on goodreads, sounded good and so I ordered it from my library. Not expecting much by any means but I was pleasantly surprised! Love finding hidden gems like these!
Katie, the main character, lives a pretty miserable life until one day she is taken captive by savages. There she has to adjust and soon learns that she really hasn't been captured, in a sense. I enjoyed all the characters, particularly Syawa. The plot is a little far-fetched in the sense of everything melding and ending up together. But I've always been a lover for the whole 'fate' and things working out as they must type of thing.
By no means is this a blow-your-pants-off amazing book. I can see why a lot of people would find it slow, the whole story is when the characters are traveling. But I didn't mind it, I like it a lot. Also for some people this book can be real a tear jerker. I certainly got sad but it takes a lot for me to shed a few tears.
I don't know how historically accurate this book is about the Native American's or if the author just made shit up as she went. Either way I liked the customs they had.
All in all I enjoyed it greatly and wouldn't mind having a copy of it myself.
I am surprised how much I enjoyed this book! I saw it on goodreads, sounded good and so I ordered it from my library. Not expecting much by any means but I was pleasantly surprised! Love finding hidden gems like these!
Katie, the main character, lives a pretty miserable life until one day she is taken captive by savages. There she has to adjust and soon learns that she really hasn't been captured, in a sense. I enjoyed all the characters, particularly Syawa. The plot is a little far-fetched in the sense of everything melding and ending up together. But I've always been a lover for the whole 'fate' and things working out as they must type of thing.
By no means is this a blow-your-pants-off amazing book. I can see why a lot of people would find it slow, the whole story is when the characters are traveling. But I didn't mind it, I like it a lot. Also for some people this book can be real a tear jerker. I certainly got sad but it takes a lot for me to shed a few tears.
I don't know how historically accurate this book is about the Native American's or if the author just made shit up as she went. Either way I liked the customs they had.
All in all I enjoyed it greatly and wouldn't mind having a copy of it myself.
March 19, 2014
The Spirit Keeper by K B Laugheed
Read October 2013
I may have already sent this, if so, my apologies to all!
This is the account of Katie O Tooled, late of Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, removed from her family by savages on March 2nd in the year of our Lord 1747.
Reading these words at the beginning of the novel chilled me to the bone! I was riveted from the first page. This is a real historical novel – I loved the calligraphy at the beginning of each chapter; this gave a feeling of history. It is a story of an epic journey, which will change Katie’s life completely. What started as a brutal attack on her family changes subtly? Beautifully written. The narrative is easy to read and the story kept me wanting more and more. I just loved this book and thank the publishers for letting me read it in advance of publication. I would give this book 5 stars and recommend it highly to any library. In fact I think I would like to purchase a hard copy of this book for my own personal library.
Read October 2013
I may have already sent this, if so, my apologies to all!
This is the account of Katie O Tooled, late of Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, removed from her family by savages on March 2nd in the year of our Lord 1747.
Reading these words at the beginning of the novel chilled me to the bone! I was riveted from the first page. This is a real historical novel – I loved the calligraphy at the beginning of each chapter; this gave a feeling of history. It is a story of an epic journey, which will change Katie’s life completely. What started as a brutal attack on her family changes subtly? Beautifully written. The narrative is easy to read and the story kept me wanting more and more. I just loved this book and thank the publishers for letting me read it in advance of publication. I would give this book 5 stars and recommend it highly to any library. In fact I think I would like to purchase a hard copy of this book for my own personal library.
August 18, 2015
The story of Katie O'Toole and her two Native American captors is a beautiful story. It is a young adult story that was so well written that I found myself smiling and crying throughout the tale. I could not put it down. I needed to know how Katie's journey ended.
Katie comes from an abusive Irish family in Pennsylvania. These two strange Native Americans have been searching for her for two years. Though Katie feels like she is a captive, she is well taken care of. Throughout the story savage natives was used quite frequently, but I felt it was to make the reader think about who was really the savages, the Native Americans or the abusive Irish family or maybe there is a little bit of "savage-ness" in all of us especially when it comes to survival.
Katie comes from an abusive Irish family in Pennsylvania. These two strange Native Americans have been searching for her for two years. Though Katie feels like she is a captive, she is well taken care of. Throughout the story savage natives was used quite frequently, but I felt it was to make the reader think about who was really the savages, the Native Americans or the abusive Irish family or maybe there is a little bit of "savage-ness" in all of us especially when it comes to survival.
June 27, 2015
What an absolutely beautiful novel! This story takes place when colonists were trying to settle America. The land was still full of native villages with rich lives, languages, customs, and culture. An Irish Immigrant's daughter is placed on a journey with two native men, one of which is a holyman. Thus we are taken on a ride through a whole new landscape that absolutely comes alive. The book moves quickly and filled my heart with joy, sadness, and laughter. It is a love story at heart, with incredible characters. I love when a book has me thinking about it long after I stop reading the pages, and this one definitely lived up to that.
October 18, 2013
Loved this book. The awkwardness between the characters is like a rubberband. Trekking in the western frontier must have been terrifying and exhilarating. Her fear of water is real and funny as she's flopping around in the water. Great book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2014
Devoured this book. Once I started it was a struggle to put it down. I am sad that it is over ☺️
December 2, 2015
I absolutely loved this story. I'm hoping there will be a sequel soon.
September 23, 2017
4,5 stars
September 23, 2019
I loved this book, I stayed up till 4 am to finish it! This book is a little magical. It goes into American Indians culture. It is the story of a misused by her family 17-year-old being captured by American Indians in 1747 because of a Holy man having a vision of a Red-headed/blue-eyed/ white girl captured by Indians. She comes to love the Indians and finds happiness for the first time in her life.
November 24, 2025
This was an intriguing read, and a genre that I have not read often but enjoyed when I do. It reminded me of A Girl Named Disaster, which also centered around a young woman taking the journey of a lifetime, but without the romance elements this one relied so heavily on.
I will start with saying, for the most part, I actually enjoyed this romance! I almost always complain about the romance, and in this case, I was really intrigued by it. To overcome language barriers, misunderstandings, trauma, and some of the greatest hardships two people can face, in such a short amount of time, while still finding love was a really inspiring story. I wish it had stayed inspiring, however, I really really disliked the way Katie started speaking to Hector at the end of the book and how Hector chose to respond to this. It felt like the relationship quickly turned abusive, and especially after hearing so much about what kind of a woman her mother was, it was hard to not feel like Katie was emulating the worst type of role model.
I thought the research here felt lazy sometimes, although the author was pretty sly with it and made it kind of work in her favor. Because there was a huge language barrier between the main character/narrator and almost every other character in the entire book, the author could get away with not explaining a LOT. She was incredibly vague with where Katie and her traveling companion(s) were at any given time, which meant she didn’t have to get specific with the details on the differences in the Native American tribes they faced.
My biggest pet peeve in the story was how passive the voice was. It was hard to stay engaged the entire time, and sometimes it just felt like poor storytelling. Ironic coming from a story that has so much emphasis on the power of good storytelling…
I will start with saying, for the most part, I actually enjoyed this romance! I almost always complain about the romance, and in this case, I was really intrigued by it. To overcome language barriers, misunderstandings, trauma, and some of the greatest hardships two people can face, in such a short amount of time, while still finding love was a really inspiring story. I wish it had stayed inspiring, however, I really really disliked the way Katie started speaking to Hector at the end of the book and how Hector chose to respond to this. It felt like the relationship quickly turned abusive, and especially after hearing so much about what kind of a woman her mother was, it was hard to not feel like Katie was emulating the worst type of role model.
I thought the research here felt lazy sometimes, although the author was pretty sly with it and made it kind of work in her favor. Because there was a huge language barrier between the main character/narrator and almost every other character in the entire book, the author could get away with not explaining a LOT. She was incredibly vague with where Katie and her traveling companion(s) were at any given time, which meant she didn’t have to get specific with the details on the differences in the Native American tribes they faced.
My biggest pet peeve in the story was how passive the voice was. It was hard to stay engaged the entire time, and sometimes it just felt like poor storytelling. Ironic coming from a story that has so much emphasis on the power of good storytelling…
August 11, 2025
Personally, I loved this book. I went in blind and never cared to look at reviews. I'm glad I didn't. As one person's opinion doesn't mean a thing when it comes to your personal opinion. You could love something, but another could hate it. I don't see why people are butt hurt over the words used. I find that the ones who berate an author over the choice of words when they are used in the time period of which the story takes place to be the harsh truth of what colonizers (white christians) have been teaching their children during that time period, to franckly lack the awearness that it is a story that takes place in a time they themselves ne'er lived in and is a work of fiction. As is anything written by anyone who writes about a time period they never actually lived in and experienced themselves. Also complaining about her dad being a drunk and happens to be Irish. Like that's a common addiction for anyone, no matter the race. Especially when they are trying to cope with the unhappiness of what their life looks like. The Irish is pretty much in the story to explain her red hair and blue eyes. A "creature" of fire and ice. Which to people who haven't seen naught but dark hair and dark eyes and darker skin is something of magic.
This book made me feel so many emotions. I laughed, I cried... hard, I cheered, I yelled, and I found myself falling in love alongside Katie. I sympathized with her as I've been in her shoes. The story is a beautiful story. Though not perfect. But nothing is perfect, and no one is perfect either. After all theirs no such thing as perfect besides the made-up word.
This book made me feel so many emotions. I laughed, I cried... hard, I cheered, I yelled, and I found myself falling in love alongside Katie. I sympathized with her as I've been in her shoes. The story is a beautiful story. Though not perfect. But nothing is perfect, and no one is perfect either. After all theirs no such thing as perfect besides the made-up word.
July 21, 2025
Full disclosure: I am a personal friend of the author. I hope that does not disqualify my review, because I believe that these books have something very important to say to all of us about the times we now live in.
I discovered The Spirit Keeper and The Gift of the Seer when the author and I recently reconnected after being out of contact for 40 years.
What I found was a parable which speaks to the crisis in our country, to our bitter divisions, and to the tunnel vision we have towards one another, all told through an intriguing odyssey of discovery woven through with unexpected plot twists and subtle humor. It's a story of relationships between men and women, parents and children, elites and outcasts, humanity and the earth. It's a discovery of work as joy instead of drudgery. It's a revelation that someone who doesn’t look like me, talk like me, pray like me, or come from where I come from is not a savage (or an invader or an illegal). (Besides, who's invading whom here?)
It is a story of real people in all our messy and awful and wonderful ways. You will love the protagonist, but you will not always like her. Indeed, she does not always like herself. and yet she realizes time and time again that she is loved no matter what. Maybe that is the most basic theme of all, that our struggle to live in community and know one another begins with living with and knowing and accepting and loving ourselves.
I discovered The Spirit Keeper and The Gift of the Seer when the author and I recently reconnected after being out of contact for 40 years.
What I found was a parable which speaks to the crisis in our country, to our bitter divisions, and to the tunnel vision we have towards one another, all told through an intriguing odyssey of discovery woven through with unexpected plot twists and subtle humor. It's a story of relationships between men and women, parents and children, elites and outcasts, humanity and the earth. It's a discovery of work as joy instead of drudgery. It's a revelation that someone who doesn’t look like me, talk like me, pray like me, or come from where I come from is not a savage (or an invader or an illegal). (Besides, who's invading whom here?)
It is a story of real people in all our messy and awful and wonderful ways. You will love the protagonist, but you will not always like her. Indeed, she does not always like herself. and yet she realizes time and time again that she is loved no matter what. Maybe that is the most basic theme of all, that our struggle to live in community and know one another begins with living with and knowing and accepting and loving ourselves.
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