FATE & FREEDOM

A young girl must adapt to a new life after losing her freedom in this sweeping debut work of historical fiction.

Margaret lives in Pongo, a town in Angola, situated on the western coast of Africa. She is the daughter of a Soba, a community leader, and her family holds a highly respected place in her community. Life changes drastically for the 8-year-old girl when Imbangala destroy her village, murder her family, and force her into slavery. What follows is a horror-filled journey for Margaret and her friend John. Their paths eventually intersect with Capt. Jope’s, a minister and buccaneer who believes it’s God’s will for him to ensure the safety of the young African children. Yet Margaret’s and John’s fates become irrevocably linked to several powerful men in England, including the Earl of Warwick and Sir Edwin Sandys. These two wealthy men lead opposing factions vying for control of the Virginia Company and their financial interests abroad in the American colonies. Though Margaret and John find peace and contentment in England, they are merely pawns in a larger political game. They are sent to Virginia where Margaret must endure the ever-present hardship and fear of an early colonist. At times tragic and gruesome, Knight’s first installment in a series of historical novels is a story of resilience and survival. The author does an excellent job of using Margaret’s and John’s experiences as a window to a broader narrative involving universal themes of power, money, and religion. The often overlooked story of the “black Mayflower” and the early arrival of Africans on the shores of America is detailed and well researched. Knight capably interweaves facts with fiction, bringing the historical figures alive.

A compelling cast breathes life into a story that traces the roots of American slavery back to the 17th century.