I was contacted about book 3 of this series and received all three books to review. While historical fiction isn’t my typical genre, the publicist figured I’d like this book after reading my review of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. I have high hopes for this book!

Read: Jan 9, 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction
Audience: General
Book contains: death of a family member, near death experiences, loss of property, period typical racism, war/violence, non-graphic description of gore

Purchase a copy from Amazon.ca

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Enjoyed So Much!

After the death of his mother, seventeen-year-old Jubilee (Jubil) Walker is left directionless and the sole owner of his family’s farm. He yearns for adventure, and when he hears that Major Powell is conducting a scientific expedition to the west, he is determined to join.

I don’t try a lot of new genres considering how many books are out there, but when the publicist contacted me for a review, I couldn’t find it in myself to say no. They read a previous review of mine and thought I’d like this series, so of course I was curious.

The Powell Expeditions is told in third person perspective, following Jubilee Walker, a young man with a taste for adventure. You dive right in to the February when his mother dies, and follow Jubil’s life chronologically as he has highs and lows, making new acquaintances and dealing with what life decides to throw at him.

I read this book all in one day—start to finish without stopping! The action and suspense made it really easy to keep reading; I wasn’t drained or felt the need to take a break as I sometimes need to do with hefty books.

Jubil is a main character that I could relate to a lot. He says things how they are, he’s smart, and while he thinks about everything in facts rather than feelings, he knows when to hold his tongue and be silent. He’s also very empathetic; I love how despite the time period, he doesn’t subscribe to the beliefs that others have; he makes judgements of people on their own merits—and this behavior is rewarded.

Jubil has a myriad of simple and complex relationships in this first book. There is his childhood friend, Nelly, with whom he is in love but who doesn’t like his life-risking adventures. There is Major Powell, whom he looks up to but who doesn’t think he’s ready for such heavy responsibilities. And he has so many other men and women he meets while on his adventures and builds connections to. He’s so agreeable that it’s easy for him to make friends, even if sometimes it’s a hinderance to his ambition.

Tim Piper’s writing is straightforward and easy to digest. There’s no complicated metaphors or long-winded descriptions. He tells the story like a recounting of an adventure, which suits the plot perfectly. Jubil isn’t the type of person to embellish a story—even though he has every right to tell his adventures in exciting ways—and Piper is the same. The adventures speak for themselves.

The pacing was also quite good. Piper leaps right into the story and doesn’t linger on unnecessary details. Again, this matches the personality of the protagonist, as Jubil is one to go out and take life by the reins rather than wait for opportunities to come to him. Each of the expeditions grows in ambition and excitement, and by the end of this book, Jubil has learned a lot and made so many big steps forward.

For fans of Historical Fiction, especially historical fiction set in the USA, I’d say this is a must-read! Even if you’re not so much a fan of historical fiction, it’s a good book; the information is easy to digest and doesn’t require you to go in with prior knowledge. Highly recommended.

Related Reviews:

Jubilee Walker Series Book 1: The Powell Expeditions by Tim Piper
Jubilee Walker Series Book 2: The Yellowstone Campaign by Tim Piper
Jubilee Walker Series Book 3: The Northern Pacific Railroad by Tim Piper
Jubilee Walker Series Book 4: The Montana Gold Mine by Tim Piper
Brian’s Saga Book 1: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain