The Acadian — Phillip Daigle

The Acadian: A Novel of Survival and Justice in a New WorldIn the contested wilderness of 17th-century Acadia, young Olivier Daigre witnesses an atrocity that will shape his destiny. When English soldiers massacre twenty-nine Mi'kmaq at Le Cran-including women and children-Olivier carries the burden of testimony that could either bring justice or ignite a war.As Mi'kmaq war captain Atahocam seeks vengeance for his murdered family, Olivier finds himself caught between worlds: his French heritage, his growing respect for Indigenous culture, and the brutal realities of colonial survival. From fur trading in dangerous wilderness to building a homestead with the determined Jeanne Gaudet, Olivier must navigate the treacherous currents of imperial politics while forging a life on blood-soaked ground.When Atahocam leads seventy-two warriors toward the English stronghold at Fort Anne, the fragile peace that has protected Acadian settlers begins to crumble. Olivier faces an impossible choice: remain neutral and watch injustice prevail or take sides in a conflict that threatens everything he's built.Set against the rivers and settlements of colonial Nova Scotia, The Acadian follows one man's transformation from naive farm boy to hardened witness in a land where three cultures clash for survival. This is historical fiction that honors the voices silenced by conquest-a gripping tale of moral courage, cultural collision, and the price of building a future on contested soil.Perfect for readers who appreciate the historical authenticity of the Northwest Passage and the moral complexity of The Covenant, The Acadian brings visceral reality to a pivotal moment in Maritime history.