About the Book
In the spring of 1817, Alcy Callen and her father visit a step-uncle they have long presumed dead; but instead of enjoying a loving reunion, they are plunged into treachery and deceit. Nothing is as they expected and little is what it seems. Even the man who helps her escape is not the reliable suitor he appears.
Alcy is caught between gratitude and fear, unable to avoid her rescuer’s attentions or understand the responses they stir. Neither can she tell what sort of man he is or what he intends to do with her in the strange place they are going. Will he keep her for himself or will he sell her to the highest bidder?
Of one person only is she certain, but will he come for her before it is too late?
GOODREADS | AMAZON
My Thoughts
Long before I had the chance to read it, I’d already heard so many great things about A River Too Deep by Sydney Tooman Betts. So when the opportunity first arose to review it, I jumped at the chance to finally read this much-talked-about book for myself. I can now safely say that I see what all the fuss was about.
A River Too Deep is almost an allegory of our relationship with God, though it stops just short of fully falling into that category. Certain characters and plot points beautifully illustrate the concept of God as our Adopted Father, of Jesus as our Bridegroom. The history, the setting, the characters, the romance brought to mind Laura Frantz or Lori Benton but with a voice unique to this author.
In the first quarter of the book, I did think that some of the events/reactions felt a bit unrealistic. For example, after unexpectedly losing someone very close to her and then suffering some additional trauma of her own, Alcy didn’t have nearly the emotional reaction that I would have had, were I in her shoes. Maybe I’m just a wimp lol (entirely possible) but some of this first part fell flat like that to me.
On the other hand, the last three quarters of the book is stunning in its emotion, its richness, its characters. Alcy’s transformation into Eyes-Like-Water is poignant and bittersweet but “right”, highlighted by the power of the Creator and His Book to change lives. There was so much spiritual truth woven through these pages, not just what is blatantly expressed but subtle nuances that make it all the sweeter.
And Preying Eagle? What can I say except SWOON! My goodness. The intensity of his watchful stares, the tenderness of his care for Alcy, the depth of his feelings. All of these add to the layers of his already-complex character and make him one unforgettable hero.
“I was sorry I had judged him a savage without knowing anything about his character.”
The diversity between cultures in this novel is thought-provoking as well as inspiring. To coexist peacefully in her new situation, Alcy must come to terms with her own prejudices and assumptions. As do the people who have taken her in. Wrestling with a fresh awareness of what causes people to dehumanize one another – “If we label a whole group savage, we feel justified fulfilling our manifest destiny at their cost.” – Alcy’s eyes are also opened to the bias of her own religious traditions and thus a deeper understanding of her Creator.
“How much of what we call Christian is our own tradition, unrelated to Scripture or morality?”
A River Too Deep is rich with history and steady tones of faith, and while romance certainly plays a role in the story it is more of a subplot than the focus. Vivid and diverse characters gallop through the chapters, stealing your heart and carving out a permanent residence. They grapple with issues which are still exceedingly relevant for today’s world and do so with poignancy and grace. “…they were not the people of my flesh but had become the people of my heart.” Oh, that more people today would open their hearts and minds to the same transformation.
I received the opportunity to read and review this book through the author. The opinions expressed are my own. This review first appeared, at least in part, on Reading Is My SuperPower.
About the Author
Sydney Tooman Betts and her protagonist-husband currently reside in the Shenandoah Valley near the extensive cavern system that inspired the setting for several early chapters of her second book.
While single, Ms. Betts (B.S. Bible/Missiology, M.Ed) was involved in a variety of cross-cultural adventures in North and Central America. After marrying, she and her husband lived in Europe and the Middle East where he served in various mission-support capacities. Her teaching experiences span preschool to guest lecturing at the graduate level and serving as the Sunday School Superintendent, Children’s Church Director, or Women’s Ministries facilitator in several evangelical denominations.
Before penning her first novel, A River too Deep, she ghost-wrote several stories for an adult literacy program.
People of the Book series
One of my favorite quotes from the book is “…they were not the people of my flesh but had become the people of my heart.” Who comes to mind in your own life, the people of YOUR heart, when you read these words?
Review by Carrie
“Delaney Jones has finally started to pick up the pieces of her shattered life after the death of her husband, Parker. Just as life enters a new normal, in walks Army soldier, Luke Robinson. Just when she makes the decision to trust him, life deals her a heavy blow.
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.
Indigo Burns is excited. Her wedding preparations to the man of her dreams are under way, her career as a photographer is a success, and her family seems to be doing better than ever–all except her brother Reuben who nobody has seen in years. But that’s about to change, because Reuben has decided to move back home to Jubilant, Texas.
I hope you had an awesome week and that your weekend holds promise. It’s time to kick off our weekend with a new discussion. What do you think it’s going to be about?
When Rebecca DeMarino traveled to Horton Point, Long Island, with her mother, Helen Jean Horton Worley, in 1999, passions collided: her love of faith, family, travel, history, and writing.
A military spouse, April has performed the art of homemaking all over the world. Currently, she lives in Georgia with her two children and USAF spouse. She is unashamedly a child of the King. In her free time, April enjoys reading, organizing, and DIY. In no particular order, she dreams of owning a horse, visiting all the national parks, and speaking Italian.
Lena Daniels never thought she’d get the chance star in a movie. Headstrong and determined, she has her life planned out to the minute. But when her best friends, Savannah and Emma, tell her about an audition, she knows there’s nothing else in the world she’d rather do. And now that she’s gotten her wish, Lena finds that being in the spotlight is harder than it sounds. She got everything she never wanted! Her face turns up everywhere she goes, and everything in her life is flipped upside down. Lena wonders if this is a dream come true or a horrible nightmare. Even a visit from her best friends during filming turns into a disaster.
Alena Pitts is a young actress and model from Dallas, Texas. As the oldest of four girls, Alena first cut her teeth in acting through making home videos and dramas with her sisters, using their entire home as their recording studio. She has a natural love for all things creative which falls right in line with her gifts and talents. The Kendrick Brothers’ War Room marks Alena’s professional acting debut. With only school theater on her young resume, Alena jumped at a chance to audition for the role of Danielle Jordan. In addition to school and acting, Alena models and is a frequent contributor for the magazine For Girls Like You.
Wynter Pitts is the founder of For Girls Like You Magazine and the author of For Girls Like You: A Devotional for Tweens and You’re God’s Girl. The mother of four girls, Wynter’s mission is to empower and equip girls to walk boldly into becoming who God has created them to be and to provide parents with the resources and support needed to raise strong Christ followers. In addition to publishing the quarterly magazine, Wynter is a frequent blogger, a contributor for LifeWay’s ParentLife Magazine, and a public speaker. She is also the niece of Dr. Tony Evans. Wynter, her husband Jonathan, and four daughters (ages 6-11), reside in Dallas, Texas.
Diversity Between the Pages 