In this great anticipated sequel to Chains, Anderson continues her story of a pair of slaves living through the American Revolution. This time, the story shifts from the viewpoint of Isabel to Curzon. At the conclusion of the earlier novel, the two have escaped from bondage in 1777 New York City and fled to New Jersey, where they stayed for a few months before becoming separated. Isabel wanted to continue south toward Maryland, where her her sister was likely sold off to, while Curzon knows that is the way to get recaptured.

While he continues on the run, Curzon comes across a battle between the British redcoats and the colonial rebels. Just as one of the young colonials is about to get shot, Curzon throws a stone at the attacked, throwing him off kilter and saving the American. This young man, who is named Eben, quickly becomes friends with Curzon. Before Curzon knows it, he has signed up to join the colonial army and becomes a part of Eben's unit. Curzon is only allowed to sign up because everyone believes that he is a free man.

Technically, he is just that. While Isabel actually ran away from her owner, Curzon had been enlisted in the army in New York by his owner with the promise of his freedom at the end of his service period. The question is whether or not that promise will be kept.

Eben and Curzon find themselves, along with their division, heading to Valley Forge. They join the rest of the army there for what turns out to be a terrible winter. Most of us are familiar with the what happened, but this provides a first-hand perspective of the horrors of that winter.

For Curzon, the challenges become even more intense when Curzon's former owner arrives to work with Nathanael Greene, a general from Rhode Island. The two will be taking over responsibility for supplies. Curzon's former owner is more than happy to stake a claim on him, and the result is that Curzon is once again a slave.

The one semi-bright spot in his recovered condition is that he finds that Isabel is also working in his owner's house as she has also become his property. The two friends have once again been reunited, and they are going to do everything they can to regain their liberty.

I do have to admit that I had a tougher time getting drawn into this second volume in the Seeds of America trilogy. The story was interesting, particularly once I got used to Curzon and the new approach. The real strength of this series is the fact that it highlights the irony of the colonists fighting for their own freedom when some of them have no problem not only with owning slaves while not recognizing the hypocricy.

Curzon and Isabel are both really likable characters, and it is really interesting to see the addition of Eben and some of the other guys who make up Curzon's army unit. I am definitely looking forward to Ashes, which will be the final book in the trilogy.