I read this historical fiction quite a while back. I loved that it has content about issues concerning black (former slaves) and Cherokee (& other Natives), as well as 2 spirited. There was a lot of thought provoking convent that I hadn’t seen in other historical fiction set in that time. Opens a lot of doors for conversation and open minded consideration.

I loved the character’s determination in times and situations were anything but easy. I read this book in a few days. Once I started, I could not put it down.

I was provided this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own. I hope to read more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and the author, Arlene L. Walker. I am not really a historical fiction reader mostly how far back this book went but it was very informative and I love the multicultural interest in the book as it is a book about black people. It really allows you to see things of the past and things I didn't that happened even though it is fiction it still shared great details of real life.

Great read.

I received an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review. I know this book is going to get lots of rave reviews as the slave and quest for freedom story is told from a different point of view. Here we have the story, personal to the author of the fight that some American Indians fought for their rights. For me it does nothing, the narrative is difficult in both the way it is written and in its content. It is depressing and ultimately simply repeats what hundred of other authors have told in slave stories over the last decade.

I feel as if people rave about these books because they feel they should because the book highlights injustice in society. For me they simply echo what has gone before.

Rich in history and detail, I loved this story. It was emotional at times and a page turner.
Many thanks to BooksGoSocial and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The McClendon family lives in the Cherokee town of Feather Falls. Sput Louie is “tired of living just a notch above slavery,” so she wants her husband, Benjamin, to convince his biological father, Goliah, to recognize him. Goliah is a half white and half Cherokee man with a lot of influence in the community. If Goliah acknowledges him, then Benjamin would have the right to an allotment of Cherokee land for his family. However, Goliah evicts Benjamin and his family from the area they were living in. Benjamin’s sudden disappearance makes the situation worse for Sput Louie, who is left alone with her sons to deal with the eviction. Where is Benjamin? Will he return? While trying to find out what happened to her husband, Sput Louie discovers devastating family secrets with enormous consequences.

I chose to read this story because I am a historical fiction fan looking to learn more about Native American History. The book did not disappoint me in this sense. I have a bachelor’s degree in History of the Americas and a master’s degree in European History. Imagine my astonishment when I learned while reading that Native Americans used to be slaveowners. And that after slavery ended in the United States, Native Americans were racists with the former slaves, known as freedmen. Arlene L. Walker did a great job tackling a subject that American schools and colleges are not teaching. In all my years of studying history, no one ever mentioned it in a lecture or a book. It is just astonishing!

Besides Walker’s excellent research of the relations between Native Americans and African Americans after the end of the American Civil War, her descriptive writing style stood out to me. The following is an example: “Inch by inch, the heavy door whispered open and what Sput saw through the slowly widening crack was not a Fancy, but a fright.” Also, Walker’s characters have depth. I detested Goliah, thought Two Bird was a hypocrite, and felt mortified for Benjamin and Sput Louie.

Despite the many positive points of the book, it failed to catch my attention. It took me a long time to finish it. The storyline progressed slowly for me until the outrageous revelation came out. After that, I got more into the story, as I wanted to know how the main characters would deal with the disclosure and its consequences.
Overall, I think Walker is an original writer with potential, and Seeds of Deception success in bringing to light an obscured part of American History. The story, however, developed slowly for me, and the revelation was too perverse for my taste.

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It was kind of an interesting story, I just don't think it was the right story for my personal taste.

A surprisingly well done story. The description was enough to make me give this a chance and I am glad that I did. I definitely want to read more from Arlene L Walker in the future.

What a beautiful blend fiction and history. This story will stick with me.

Highly recommended to readers of African-American historical fiction, where the topic of consequences of slavery are more prominent than its romanticization.

I'm so envious of everyone who hasn't read Arlene Walker's forthcoming novel yet. I wish I could go back and meet her characters all over again. I haven't stopped thinking about their stories yet. Seeds of Deception is easily one of my favorite reads this year.

An eye opening read. History and fiction are combined in a story that I will remember for a long time.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.