Our Broken Bond

In this warm and engaging sequel to Our Precious Bond, accomplished author Marlene F. Cheng closely follows the life stories of three characters who are as unique as their names: Raven, Oriole and Tree.

Raven is the now-grown son of Geneva, from the first book, and his NHL hockey star father, known only as “Y.” He turns one day from a PhD path and impulsively joins the Canadian army, eventually becoming a superior sniper. And even though his parents are nonplussed at his new life choice, he never looks back through two harrowing tours of duty in Iraq.

Oriole is a downtrodden refugee camp survivor who miraculously emigrates to America one day, sponsored by, of all organizations, a college fraterity. There, he finds new brothers to replace the family that was brutally gunned down so many years before by rebels, when he was a child in his native Sudan.

And Tree? She is the U.N. relief worker who discovers Oriole in the dusty back byways of the refugee camp, aids in his emigration, and finally follows him to Canada.

This is an epic saga filled with endearing characters and lyrical writing. About Raven’s skills as a sniper, the author says he is “as fast as a flitting firefly, as silent as falling snow.” And Raven’s mother, in a wistful moment, describes her ache for the relationship that ended when Y returned to Sweden to be with his original family:

"When I watch the moonshine on the water, a nostalgic longing comes over me ... a strong yearning that moves me to tears.”

Five-plus stars to Our Broken Bond. Like its predecessor, it is rich with complex characterizations and compelling narrative that puts the reader squarely in the middle of a sweeping tale of duty, honor, love, compassion and hope. -- Publishers Daily Reviews.