St. Helena Island slaves speak English, but African drums still throb in their veins; they hear the whispers of their ancestors. From this arises a girl of unusual strength, whose pampered life ends when her kindly mistress dies, and she moves to a shanty in the quarters. Kedzie soon learns that the punishing fields aren't nearly as grim as her master's abuse. Enter Rio, a young man without a family and at a loss for a heritage. He loves Kedzie, but he can't rescue her. Kedzie alone can save herself. How a people survives adversity is a story that never grows old. This is a bold look at slavery. No explanations. No apologies. If you like historical fiction, Kedzie is a must-read.