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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Before highways and motels, there were wagons and campfires, and for one determined young bride, that meant seeing new land and building a new future. Rodantha’s Road by Joyce Stotts begins in 1856 with 18-year-old Rodantha and her new Welsh husband, William, leaving Virginia for a fresh start in the Kansas-Nebraska Territories. She’s rather spirited, but not afraid of hard work. He’s ten years older, is steady with the oxen, quick-thinking, and fiercely protective of his new wife, but keeps his past guarded. They face some setbacks along the way, including an encounter they’d probably both want to forget and a sorrowful event that shakes them to their core. They meet generous strangers, form unexpected friendships, and strengthen a bond no one can break. William does tell Rodantha of his ties to the Underground Railroad, and along the way, that past comes back and has them both involved in a quiet act of kindness. By the final pages, their road leads to choices and challenges that could change the course of their journey and their lives forever.
I’m always drawn to stories of moving west, and Rodantha’s Road made me even more intrigued because there’s the added element of the Underground Railroad. So, I was able to learn about two parts of history at once. Joyce Stotts blends historical details with personal storytelling, making me feel every jolt of the wagon and the pain the characters feel. Both Rodantha and William are relatable. As a couple, they balance each other quite well. She’s feisty, and he’s calm. I was rooting for them the whole way, hoping they’d reach their destination. After finishing the book, I realized this isn’t just a book about traveling, it’s about freedom, doing what’s right, resilience, and the winding roads we take to reach our dreams.
