The Estelusti Trail


Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
310 Pages
Reviewed on 09/20/2023
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Kimberlee J Benart for Readers' Favorite

The Estelusti Trail is the second book in the Pete Horse Series by Roy V. Gaston and is set in Florida during the Second Seminole War. Pete is a young Estelusti warrior. The Estelusti, or Black Seminoles, were descendants of runaway enslaved Africans who sought refuge in (then) Spanish Florida and developed a unique culture that was a mix of African, Native American, and Spanish traditions. Now, the Estelusti and Seminoles are resisting forced relocation from Florida to make room for more white settlers and slave-based agriculture. After several failed attempts, a new American officer is put in command, and he brings overwhelming forces with him. Can the Estelusti and Seminole warriors survive the onslaught, or will they be forced to accept defeat and relocation?

In The Estelusti Trail, Roy V. Gaston gives us a compelling story that addresses a period of tragedy, trauma, and terrible violence. Seen through the eyes of a teenage Pete Horse, the complex mix of political and social forces at work in this conflict is laid bare. The blend of fictional and historical characters, battles, and events are joined in a fast-moving plot that engages the reader with vivid details that reflect the brutality of the time and the determination of a people fighting for their freedom. I was utterly captivated by the narrative and often found myself turning to the search engine to learn more about the American and Native American leaders and the series of events that brought this fascinating story to its conclusion.