TIDES OF ACADIA

In Daigle’s historical series starter, an intrepid young military man and his companion struggle for survival against a bullying French naval officer.

The adventurer’s lot is often a solitary and complicated one, but for those who persist, the future teems with unimaginable riches. Not all of them are material, as this epic adventure set in the wilds of 17th century Acadia—now Eastern Canada—reminds us. Though rich in resources, it’s also a hotly contested region, and the story unfolds through the lens of the French-English rivalry, where an ever-resourceful French naval officer, Charles de La Tour, struggles to protect his newly established fort, built with the permission of the local Maliseet people, against the English. A successful campaign, as a French cardinal notes approvingly, will leave “A dagger pointed at the heart of English colonial ambitions.” However, Charles soon comes to realize that his military struggles are nothing compared to his personal ones, especially after he meets Françoise Jacquelin, an independent-minded aspiring stage performer, who shares his spirit of adventure. Before they can start a life together, Charles, as Acadia’s governor, must fend off a homegrown menace in Charles de Menou d’Aulnay, a bullying French noble who expects automatic deference—and has his own designs on Acadia. For Charles, the power-hungry d’Aulnay represents everything that he despises about French colonialism—namely, “connections, entitlement, and the willingness to crush anyone who stood in his way.” It’s a conflict that’s tailor-made for a 1980s-era miniseries of the sort they don’t make anymore—and one that readers will find compelling in this book series’ opening salvo. It’s a world where alliances shift as rapidly as the tide, and survival hinges on choosing every word carefully. It’s an epic story, artfully rendered, yet sweeping in its scope; and although it’s clear that the author has done his historical homework, the rich details on parade here never overwhelm the narrative, which is a frequent danger in historical fiction. Where Charles’ destiny takes him in the next installment will surely prove engaging to watch.

A swashbuckling historical thriller that brings the struggles of 17th century trade wars to life in unexpected ways.