Rebellion’s Daughter

“The young and sometimes reckless Eunice Whiting is always on the move. Milkmaid, barmaid, fifteen-year old bride become rebel messenger on horseback, spy in disguise, and always speaker of truth to power: she is all that and more. Unfolding during the tempest that was the 1837 uprising in Upper Canada, Rebellion’s Daughter hums along as author Judi Coburn artfully sketches real people and real events from history enlivened by her own vivid imagination.”

— Lawrence Scanlan, author of The Horse’s Shadow

“When her mother and brother die of cholera in the 1830s, young Eunice Whiting is catapulted into a world of intrigue and armed uprisings in Upper and Lower Canada. She quickly becomes a rebel supporter, dressing as a boy to evade British patrols, and risking death to bring the insurgents food, supplies and information. Inspired by a real story and rich with historical detail, this is a fascinating – and often eye-opening – glimpse into an era where an emerging nation can hang on the fortunes of a small band of rebels. Against this evocative background, a set of vividly drawn characters round out the book and bring an intimate feel to the story. The book’s triumph, though, is Eunice, an unusual young heroine – by turns a dairy worker, a horse thief and a log hauler – whose quirky, obstinate courage means she is rarely far from danger. A striking historical backdrop and the author’s tender treatment of her protagonist are two of the high points in this gripping novel of allegiances and betrayals.”

— Judith McCormack, author of Backspring and The Rule of Last Clear Chance