Historical fiction at its best brings us back to a different time and place.The author brings the people the raw fight for survival so well written so involving.#netgalley#st.martinspress

Thanks to THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS (An imprint of St. Martin’s Press) and NetGalley for sending me this Advance Reading Copy. Expected publication date will in be in January 2020.

I’m not usually a reader of “pioneer” fiction but I am a huge fan of Nancy E. Turner. Her characters come alive to me. Their struggles and triumphs are so real that I almost feel like I am inside the story living it right beside them.

Light Changes Everything is a fantastic historical fiction novel. Nancy Turner is a brilliant author and brings her stories to life. A wonderful read.

About ten years ago, I read and adored the Sarah Agnes Prine trilogy by Nancy E. Turner, so I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that I could return to that family in the Arizona Territory after all these years away. This author has a truly unique style. The first person narration is conversational, like catching up with an old friend, but it is also somehow lyrical and poetic at times. Mary Pearl Prine is one of those rare, unforgettable characters who truly does feel like a friend you'll miss. The raw emotions were palpable; I was angry on her behalf and sad at times and amused and even proud of her. This story was captivating...as in, losing track of time while reading into the wee hours of the morning. As a desert-dwelling Arizona resident, it was particularly fascinating for me to imagine those gritty settlers who battled every obstacle imaginable to make this unforgiving place one that we can comfortably call home today. Light Changes Everything transported me to another time, and what I learned there will linger in my mind for a long time.

*I received an ARC of this book, and this voluntary review is my honest opinion.*

Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 4
Plot development: 4
Characters: 4
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of Reading: 5

Overall rating: 4 out of 5

This book was received as an ARC from St Martin's Press - Thomas Dunne Books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

We continuously are in the search for new Historical Fiction novels and I absolutely was ecstatic when it was reflecting on Jane Austen Novels especially Pride and Prejudice. I love the twist Nancy Turner approached this book with in the characters of Mary Pearl and Aubrey (a.k.a Elizabeth and Darcy). I also found it very interesting that Jane Austen books during the time of 1905 were banned and to an extent I can see some reasoning but when you have a banned book, at least in my opinion that makes you want to read it even more so it made me very happy that Mary was a little rebellious to start in reading Pride and Prejudice and daydreaming of living that livelihood. I know our patrons and community will really enjoy this book and it will do very well.

We will consider adding this title to our Historical Fiction collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Mary Pearl is from the Arizona Territory which sounds a bit like the old west. It’s the early 1900’s, Mary Pearl can ride horses, shoot a gun, kill rattlesnakes, etc etc.
One day she realizes her artistic talents and gets accepted to an art school. In order to go to school, she has to decline/delay a marriage.
The man she slighted was not happy about it and he found several ways to attempt to ruin her life.

Mary Pearl is always strong and rather independent.

This book was very well written. The storyline was unique as was the setting.

It was way more serious than I expected. For some reason I thought it would be a light read. It’s definitely not. It’s sad and somewhat dark at times. There were parts of the storyline that weren’t enjoyable to me because I don’t do well with violence. But I loved how strong Mary Pearl was written.
I liked the way the story concluded too.

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thanks!

A beautiful book by a talented author. She has a way of bringing history to life. This book has a raw unmistakable beauty. It shows the the hardship and steely resolve of the settlers of the Arizona territory.this was an excellent book club read
thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

Light Changes Everything by Nancy E. Turner is part historical fiction part coming of age part finding what matters in life kind of novel. It begins 1907 territory of Arizona (including her stint at Wheaton College in Illinois).

I truly love the female protagonist, Mary Pearl Prine, who is around 17. I had no clue about the trilogy of books Ms Turner had written about her aunt, Sarah Agnes Prine, until after I began exploring the author and her other works. I love the whole cast of characters; you cant make this kind of stuff up. I loved everything about this book. The dialects, the lingo, the daily chores, and habits. Mary is such a strong young woman who truly has a solid moral compass. I love that she gets to spread her wings and learn about the world, and more importantly, about herself. I love Zach and Ezra, Granny, Aunt Sarah, and Brody. I laughed and cried along with them (and when you read this, you will know what I mean).

I am only just now beginning to read more fiction and nonfiction involving the west/western territories during the 1800s and early 1900s. It is beyond fascinating to me, and through this venture, I have begun to learn so much about our nation’s past as well as the trials and daily events people lived out in these harsh conditions. It is not for the faint that is for sure.

This book is so amazing that I cannot wait to read the author’s trilogy about Mary’s Aunt Sarah. This is a must read.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this amazing ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

This is posted to my GR account immediately and will be posted to my Amazon, Bookbub, and B&N accounts upon publication.

As this story begins, it is summer in the Arizona Territory, and the year is 1907. Mary and Esther Pearl are reading Jane Austin novels which they’ve borrowed from their Aunt Sarah (Agnes Prine), and sharing their hopes and dreams for a husband of their very own. However, these relatively innocent dreams compared to their more serious plans for their futures.

Mary and Esther have other, older, siblings. Older brothers, Clover, and Joshua. Joshua is studying medicine, and Clover wants to run the pecan farm their father owns. Older sisters, Rachel and Rebecca, but Mary is the youngest girl. Two younger brothers, Ezra and Zachary who Mary is their “keeper.” Keeping them in line, and out of trouble. As this story begins, Mary is about to turn seventeen, and she dreams of going away to school, she wants more out of her life, and one day, her parents show tell her about an advertisement for a college “back east,” and that her Aunt Sarah had sent them a picture she had drawn, and now Wheaton College would like to accept her as a student.

”You’ll make friends there in Illinois. It’s a real state, not just a territory. They’ve got more law and order. Likely most girls don’t even own a pistol.”

Mary is momentarily swooning over Aubrey, a lawyer who comes from money, when he manages to steal an illicit kiss. He offers her promises of marriage and a life of ease, but Mary only agrees to consider marrying him if he will wait until she has finished her two years at Wheaton.

This is the first of the Sarah Prine series that I’ve read, although I have had Nancy Turner’s These is My Words on my to-read list for years. I loved Mary Pearl’s voice, her no-nonsense sense of right and wrong, her love for her family, and the lengths she will go to in order to ensure their well-being and happiness.


Pub Date: 14 Jan 2020


Many thanks for the ARC provided by St. Martin’s Press / Thomas Dunne Books

Set in Arizona Territory in early 1900's, gritty tale of a woman who pursues a dream of education and who becomes drawn to photography. The love of and sense of responsibility to her family cut her education short, but she does not abandon her dream of being a photographer. The characters are believable and true to their place in time. Very compelling read and well written. I couldn't put it down.