Stephen A. Carter’s fully illustrated Hard Road To Freedom, the third book in the Matari series, takes readers on a gripping journey through the post-Civil War years, covering 1864 to 1882. The story centers on John Saxton, a Union officer imprisoned during the war, and his interactions with a wide cast of characters, from fellow prisoners like Lucas Garrow to the dangerous and menacing Horatio Garrow, Lucas’s father. The narrative bounces between Saxton’s trials in various prison camps, the broader social and political aftermath of the war, and the dangerous criminal underworld dominated by figures like Horatio. The story’s most fascinating moments come from the vivid depiction of prison life and the conflict between these complex characters.

Carter doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the Civil War, especially when Saxton is shipped off to different prison camps. The detail in the Danville and Salisbury prison sequences was just chilling. You can feel the grime, the hunger, and the desperation pouring out of the pages when Saxton shares his miserable meals or confronts the horrors of disease and violence around him. When Lucas Garrow, the young drummer boy, is introduced, I really found myself rooting for him, especially after learning about his backstory and watching his interaction with Saxton. The fact that Lucas’s own father, Horatio, turns out to be such a ruthless criminal adds an emotional layer to their relationship, which is built on a lie Lucas doesn’t even know.

But speaking of characters, the villains in this book are really something. Horatio Garrow is just despicable, and Carter paints him as the kind of antagonist you love to hate. I mean, the guy is not only a Confederate deserter and smuggler but also deeply invested in all sorts of evil dealings, including trying to reclaim his estranged son Lucas while keeping his criminal empire running. Then there’s the addition of Allen Pinkerton hunting down Garrow. This cat-and-mouse dynamic kept me hooked, especially as Garrow’s schemes get bolder and Pinkerton closes in. I couldn’t help but think, “How’s he going to get away with this?” And when BB shows up to throw another wrench into the whole thing, it felt like the stakes just kept rising. BB’s manipulations and Horatio’s increasingly reckless actions were like watching a train wreck you couldn’t look away from.

One of the most memorable parts for me was Saxton’s dream of a utopia on Raccoon Mountain. Despite everything he goes through, he holds onto this vision of a post-war community where both black and white veterans can live together in peace. The dream felt almost too good to be true, especially in the face of all the violence and hatred he experiences. But I think that’s what makes Saxton such a compelling character; he’s an idealist in the middle of chaos. When he shares this dream with other prisoners, it really hit home how much people need hope, even if it seems impossible. And seeing the way characters like Lincoln and Harambee responded to Saxton’s vision gave me the feels. It made me wish for a better ending, though the story stays true to the gritty, sometimes hopeless realities of its setting.

I’d say Hard Road to Freedom is a must-read if you love historical fiction that dives into the aftermath of war with a mix of hope and brutality. The writing is detailed and immersive, though it’s definitely not a light read. This book is perfect for those who appreciate stories that don’t sugarcoat history and are drawn to complex, morally gray characters like Lucas and Horatio. If you’re looking for something with layers of emotion, tough choices, and a lot of historical grit, this will do it for you.

Pages: 322