Book Review: Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof

A Tale of Family, Brotherhood, and the Healing Power of Love

After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of Nineteenth-Century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.

But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.

As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?

A haunting tale of struggle and redemption, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a portrait of grace in a world where the broken may find new life through the healing mercy of love.

What I Loved: I loved this one!! From the very beginning, I was hooked. I liked the mountain setting, and the addition of the KKK was a treat for this historical fan. I was a little wary about the focus on brewing and consuming hard cider. Bischof is an author that I was eager to pick up without having fully read the description, so I wasn’t prepared for this. But by the end of the book, I was satisfied with the way she handled it. I thoroughly enjoyed the love story and the love triangle was a nice touch.
For me, the highlight was Thor. It’s rare to have a hero with a disability, so he stood out to me right away. I think she did a great job displaying his form of communication, as well as his struggles (both with alcohol and communicating), and his strengths.
Sons of Blackbird Mountain is the first of a series, and I can’t WAIT to see what Joanne has in store for us next! There are certainly some redeemable characters left to look forward to.

Rating and Recommendations: I’m giving it 5 stars and recommending it to Historical Christian Fiction fans or those looking for a stand-up hero with a real disability.

~ I received a copy from NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.

*Sons of Blackbird Mountain releases on July 3rd, so be sure to add it to your TBR or Wish list. This link will take you to Goodreads.