This is an intense book in my opinion. I found it to be a fascinating read. Now, I have not read Elinor, but it was fairly easy for me to understand part of the atmosphere of fear and unrest concerning the attack that stole she and others away.
That being said I think it may have taken me a little while to get comfortable in reading the language and understand what was being thought or said by the Native people. The authors' take on daily life and how things may have been makes the story a fascinating one for me.
I think my favorite character of the book is Manteo. (Perhaps because I have grown children, he is easier to understand.) I like that he is a person of faith, a leader and a genuine good person who can see the future with the People and English surviving together. Georgie and (Mushaniq) Mary are endearing characters who are central to the story. Mushaniq is a wonderful character who changes and grows from childhood to a strong, yet stubborn woman who with Georgie can be a bond between the people who are sharing the land.
The ways of the native People are interesting to me. The author has to have done a tremendous amount of research and has intertwined her imagination so well in creating this plot.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This is my personal opinion about the book. I think it is appropriate for teens and adults but not the younger reader. There is an attitude of freedom in sexual activity with the People and as they become Christians, things begin to change. It was interesting to see how women were brought up to care for themselves and the customs surrounding pregnancy.
It is a very good story of overcoming adversity, learning to step out on faith and walking forward with hope that the community could survive together.

Mary, the second book in the Daughters of the Lost Colony series is, in a word, fascinating! 5 stars!

Mary is a coming-of-age story for English George Howe and Manteo's Croatan daughter Mushaniq. I had no idea such a plethora of information was available concerning the Native People's courtship and marriage practices. The huskanaw ritual from boyhood to man was captivating. I loved how the Native People who had become Christians were able to incorporate their Christian beliefs into those of the People in the huskanaw and that God revealed himself in such a profound way.

I was thrilled that Mary picked up where Elinor left off and I was able to get more of Elinor and Secotan warrior Sees Far's story. Mary is two great stories in one masterfully penned historical experience!

Shannon McNear is brilliant to have written a book with the level of authenticity and accuracy. Her research is impeccable and she is dedicated to staying as true to the facts and language of the time period as possible. As in the first book, I did have to acclimate myself to the Carolina Algonquian language that is used throughout.

The epilogue was just enough of a teaser to have me looking forward to the third book in the Daughters of the Lost Colony series. It can't happen soon enough for me! I appreciate Barbour Publishing making a copy of Mary available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

What a captivating story that is lathered in and drips of, historical figures and happenings on New World soil. A colony that was purportedly lost - vanished. However, this book hints of where they may have gotten lost to...integrated with Algonquian tribal groups from Roanoac Island, Outer Banks, North Carolina, such as the Croatoan, Kurawoten, Powhatan, Secon, Sukwoten and other native Americans/FirstNation Peoples.

Some true to life native characters were people like Manteo, Wanchese, Towaye and others who in the late 1500's were brought to England for a short period of time. Other characters of English origin such as Ananias and Elinor (Whilte) Dare; John White, Roger Bailie, featured in the pioneering of the New World in this area, assimilating into native culture either of free will or by captive force.

The gospel of Jesus Christ was well represented throughout this whole story I'm very pleased to report and noted that many of Manteo's people came to know Christ. When a reader comes to the addenda at book end, he or she will find suggestion of such, based on some of what the author, Shannon McNair, discovered in her research hunts preparatory to writing this book.

I loved Manteo, Mushaniq, Georgie, Two Fathers, Timqua, Elinor, Sees Far, and others who really did try to "make room" for each other's respective culture in what was, at times, an uneasy truce of fine-tuned balance and relationship. Anyone who has been an expat anywhere in the world, or who has even inter-married with a culture vastly different than their own and be immersed therein, will understand the depth, nuances and struggles of such alliances. McNair has really done an excellent, excellent job of this, almost as if she'd lived such herself.

What a wonderful bridge she inter-weaves too, with the forgiveness, grace, and love of God, and respectful comparisons with the spirit world and culture of the various First Nation Peoples.

I found the explanations of the First Nation Peoples' culture and practices fascinating especially the 'huskanaw' and 'huskanasqua' but I'll let any potential reader find out for themselves what they are all about. I liked that the pubescent girls and women would be allowed a stay at "the women's house" during their monthly 'visitor' time and how the native man would respect a pregnant woman.

Anyway, do read the story which is full of excitement and NOT boring for even a second. This is a second book in a series called Daughters of the Lost Colony and a third may well be on its way.

The addenda gives good historical notes of the book's characters who were true to history, both English and Native; actual and fictional; lists of: those who moved to Beechland; were taken captive; the region's people groups; native vocabulary and more.

Happy Reading, should you decide to go for it! Oh yes, and find out who Mary is....

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

August 2022

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

So I really enjoyed the first book Elinor, and when I came across this one, the second in the series, I was very excited to read it. Early American history is so fascinating to me and the mystery of the Roanoke colony has always caught my interest. I enjoyed the first story very much, but the ending wasn't my favorite. I appreciate that we are supposed to imagine how things could have ended, but I like being told rather than wondering, what if? So I was very excited and surprised that we get to continue along with Elinor and Sees Far's story as well as Mushaniq and Georgie's as well.

The story jumps back and forth between multiple point of views, I think there are like 5 or 6) and sometimes it isn't clear until after a few sentences. This was partly distracting but by halfway through the story I was used to it and it didn't bother me as much.

The story jumps back and forth in the timeline for the first part of the book, I think to establish the back story for Mushaniq and Georgie. This book is researched extremely well and it shows in little ways throughout it. Make sure to read the author's note, it was very interesting and I felt really added to the story. Plus she mentions she is writing book 3, so score!! The story feels believable and I felt like this could be a possible scenario of what happened to the colony.

I highly recommend this book, it's not a light read, it's gritty and real without being over the top and sharing too many horrific details that sometimes accompany these type of books. I'm looking forward to the next one.

However a spoiler and content disclosure, there is a lot of talk about casual sex/intimacy as it relates to the customs of the native tribes, though nothing is described in detail and anything that happens is a fade to black scenario. Just putting that out there, that I wouldn't let my kids read this until they are a bit older.

I received a copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another great book in the series, the Daughters of the Lost Colony of Roanoke.

This is book two and the colonists have relocated to Kurawoten Island after the attack on Roanoke. It continues on with Eleanor and the other colonists that have now joined with other native tribes to live peacefully. They learn their language and customs and teach them the ways of the English. Also, introducing them to the God of their religion.

There are lots of intense moments with great danger, but also some of great joy and conversions to faith. I loved the historical aspects due to what appears to be extensive research. The faith elements are woven in so well. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and willingly choose to review it.

I’ve gone on record as saying that I love stories set in the early days of settlement in America, especially the settlements of Roanoke. The daunting task of going to a land you do not know, learning how to co-exist with the indigenous peoples and the balancing of religious “freedom” with totalitarianism all make for such compelling stories. Last year McNear brought us the story of Elinor, daughter of the governor and her adjustment to the new land. We do get more of Elinor's story in this one, but I'll not go into detail so there are no spoilers but her story plays in well with Mary's.

This is the story of the settlers as they learn the harshness of the land and how to truly live with The People. This story explores the true mixing of the two peoples. How they spread Christianity (before the more oppressive missions) and how the groups considered inter-marriage. We see Manteo's daughter, Mushaniq, grow from a precocious young girl in her tribe to become friends with George Howe, a young English boy. The two fall in love and explore the rituals each group of people has in order to usher them into adulthood and to be worthy of marriage.

Mushaniq is a fabulous protagonist, she is strong willed and appreciative of her people and yet open to change and hope for what a woman could be. I liked the exploring of the politics between the people and the good and bad of religion guiding one's life choices. 

Thanks to Barbour Publishing for access to this novel via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own.

Will Mushaniq finally Believe in The One True God?

Shannon McNear continues the Story, of the Historic, Lost Colony of Roanoke, in "Mary (Daughters of The Lost Colony 2)". You need to 📖 "Elinor" 1st, to understand this 📗.

If the English Colonists assimilated into a friendly, Native American Tribe, how did that process go? What did they learn? Where did they have to compromise their English customs & practices, with the Native customs & practices? What dangers did they face? What prejudices did they face, in themselves & from the Natives? How did they live out their Christianity day-to-day, while living among the Natives? What were the Native Tribe's Religious Beliefs? Were they able to spread the Gospel to the Natives? And most importantly, what did a romance & marriage between a Native Lady & an English Man, (or visa versa) look like?

Shannon McNear masterfully tackles answering all those questions authentically, in this Engrossing, Poignant, Unforgettable, Easy-to-Read, Early American, Christian, Historic Romantic 💎!

I greatly appreciate that SM includes the Glossary of the Characters Names (both English & Native Americans), & the Native American Dictionary in the 📗. It made the Novel easier to understand.

I Highly Recommend You 📖 This 📗, to find out how God helps Georgie & Mushaniq (Mary) survive the twists & turns life throws their way, to reach their Lifetime 💞! I can't wait to for the next Novel in the Series; I want to consume it right now. ❤️ed 📖ing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I read the first book book and enjoyed it so I was definitely interested in this one too.
While this isn't my preferred genre I thought the writing and characters done well.
The plot moves slowly for my taste, but the overall work is done well and a good read.

I really enjoyed reading the first book in this series, Elinor and found this book just as interesting!

This is a story about a native girl who falls in love with an English boy. Elinor is returned and Sees Far comes with her - so glad to see them included in this book and love their story. This one deals a lot with belief in God and baptism. I just love how she takes a part of history we don't know many facts about and weaves and creates beautiful stories. Mary's character is well crafted and the struggle she goes through is mind opening.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a digital, temporary ARC in return for my review.

This series has overdelivered with every single book! As someone who loves both history and the Outer Banks, I was intrigued by the premise of these historically-based stories of women from early America. In Mary, we learn much more about the Croatoan people and their customs, as well as how the English are integrating with them. It's a most fascinating depiction of our nation's first interracial couples and the murkiness that came along with them. The author does a fantastic job of weaving obscure historic facts with speculation to create a riveting read!

I adored the first book from Shannon McNear's Daughters of the Lost Colony series, Elinor, and was excited to read book two, Mary. It did not disappoint. I loved it. Five stars. Highly recommended.

This book continues Elinor’s story of the Lost Colony for which Virginia Dare is made famous as the first white (English) child born in the new world.
Much of Mary’s story portrays the differences between what the Indians believed verses the English settlers when it came to religion and marriage. It sounds like maybe some of the Indians didn’t hold to the Patriarchal beliefs that are still rampant in our time. (I know, I grew up in a Patriarchal cult).
Remember, this is fiction. We really have no clue what truly happened all those years ago.

this was a great sequel in the Daughters of the Lost Colony series, I had enjoyed Elinor by Shannon McNear so I was invested in reading its sequel. This was a beautifully done historical novel, it is a Christian novel but the great thing about it, is that it's a great balance between the two genres. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to reading more from Shannon McNear.