Book Review: Favorite Daughter: Part One by Paula Margulies

Favorite Daughter: Part One
by Paula Margulies
Release Date: July 21st, 2014
Publisher: One People Press
Paperback, 189 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Get a Copy: 
      Amazon 

Goodreads Summary: Set in the time of the Jamestown settlement and the English explorer John Smith, Favorite Daughter, Part One recounts the story of Chief Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas, as she prepares to take her place as one of our nation's earliest leading women. Pocahontas invites readers to experience her native world when strangers appear on the shores near her village. From forging a relationship with the charismatic Smith, to experiencing love for the first time and creating a role for herself in her father’s plans for peace, this young girl takes us on a poignant and harrowing journey through the turbulent events of her life. Eventually betrayed by all of the men she loves, Pocahontas matures into a heroine of tremendous nobility, courage, and heart. 

Told in first person, in a voice brimming with compassion and wisdom, Favorite Daughter, Part One provides a compelling look at the early days of one of the most remarkable legends in American history.

Cindy's Review:

**Copy provided via the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.** 

At a Glance/The Cover:

For those who know me, I absolutely love historical fiction, especially when they have to do with romance. I especially like the ones set in the Victorian/1800s time period or the medieval with princes and queens, because the guys were such gentlemen. :) 

But this one isn't. It goes even more back. And I'm totally totally fine with that. In fact, I encourage it. Because I also love to read about stories that no one is really sure of in history. For example, the lost colony novels. Love those. No one knows what happened to them, but one could imagine.

In this lovely novel called Favorite Daughter, we read about Pocahontas' early life as little girl and watching her grow up into a young lady meeting the European explorers for the first time. 

The Characters/My Opinion: 

Pocahontas - The narrator of the story. Was definitely fun to see things in her point of view. Talking about her life as the Powhatan chief's favorite daughter, becoming a woman, being betrothed. It's the side of the story we, as Americans, never truly saw it in. 

Kocoum - Kocoum is Pocahontas' fiance. The Powhatans have this ceremony where the girl chooses the suitors she wants for her husband. Kocoum was a very expressionless, stoic boy. He seems super calm and very warrior-like. For some reason, I find an attractiveness part of him. I actually want Pocahontas to like him and end up with him. I really did. He may seem super cold on the outside, but he's so sweet inside. 

Pocahontas actually didn't want to marry him. Not at all. She didn't want to get married. She just wanted to learn more about the English explorers. But I enjoyed seeing Pocahontas' and Kocoum's romance blossom. Really enjoyed that part. Although there are some "adult" scenes in here. 

John Smith - Of course, the famous John Smith. He was nothing like the Disney movie type. No blond hair. Apparently, he has red hair and facial hair. And a bit inappropriate. Nothing like the young, blond, strong, tall man in the Disney movie. This guy is short, but super friendly. His personality definitely seemed like a friend type. I do not know if Pocahontas has any feelings for him.

It seems as if Pocahontas is really interested in him. And she is. But I do not think it's love. It seems like it at first, because even Pocahontas can't tell. But as time passes, it seems like Pocahontas knows Kocoum is her lover and she's just "interested" in John Smith and his culture.

Of course, following as least the real historical timeline, we know that Pocahontas marries none of them. In fact, I actually searched online for this, cuz I was super curious, Kocoum might not even have existed. Historians are not sure if Pocahontas was really engaged in the beginning. They think it might have been John Rolfe. Or nothing at all. 

In Favorite Daughter, it ends with a somewhat open ending. This ending allows for the second book to tell Pocahontas' story in the history books. The part where she got captured. The part where she turns Christian, etc. 

Overall Thoughts: 

Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely. I would love to read Part Two and see what happens in Pocahontas' life later on. I want to see how Pocahontas changes and find out what happens to the Powhatan tribe. 

:) For historical fiction lovers, here's one for you! 

The Rating: (1-10): 8.8

Happy Reading~