This is very different than Noelle’s other books. I rated it a 4/5 because I thoroughly enjoyed it. Learning about the history and combining that with suspense was unique. It was not as fast paced as her other novels for me but I really enjoyed it and I applaud her for branching out and giving the reader something new!

I will absolutely read whatever book Noelle Ihili writes. She has become one of my favorite authors and this one did not disappoint!

This authors last two books have both been highly rated by me. If I cry at the end it’s a pretty good sign that the book is gonna get a high rating. She’s done a fantastic job at bridging this tragic historical event to today. The prologue contains more details of how she wove together the events of the meadow massacre and the characters of her book. Your heart aches for the protagonist and all of the lives lost. A greatly woven tale.

I have not read this author before and was intrigued by the description of the book. It sounded like it was very thoroughly researched and informative on an event that I knew nothing about.

The Mountain Meadows Massacre was a tragic event involving settlers traveling west, a Mormon community, and some Native Americans associated with the religious community. Many men, women, and some children were murdered and the event was covered up throughout most of history.

Most characters and the overall story were based on real life events. It is hard to believe that such a tragic event could occur but the book does a great job of developing characters. I truly understood each character's motivation toward the massacre. I appreciated that the author included information about the aftermath as well.

I thought that this was an excellent (though sad) read and I look forward to reading more by this author.

I am obsessed with everything Noelle Ihli writes and was so excited to be chosen for this ARC. THANK YOU, for my favorite book of 2024. It immediately captured me and I didn’t realize I’d learn so much from this book. 100/10!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately I was under the impression this book was a “thriller” and upon starting to read this book realized it is a historical fiction based on true events. This book was a DNF for me after the first few chapters because of the heavy topic of animal death/slaughter.

I was prepared for a thriller, but I got something even better; a historical thriller! The writing is beautiful and keeps you coming back for more. The story is told with so much care and attention, it’s utterly heartbreaking.

I was asked to read this by a blogger friend. I've read this author before but he told me this was something completely different.
Being a huge fan of her writing I didn't mind that. However this is about as different as you can get. Based on a true story, it follows the journeys of various women, Lisa and her family who already escaped persecution by an anti-morman mob. She refuses to run away again. Katrina, and her husband and four children, in their group of travellers heading to California. Fighting hunger and thirst, before things get worse.
Finally Sally, or Sally Indian as she's often referred to. An outcast 4th wife to the leader of a Mormon camp. She tried to make the best of things.
This wasn't an easy read at times, but it was never meant to be. Considering it's based on true events, it's quite horrific enough. Set in the mid to late 1800s.
One but in particular just shocked me and really outlined the brutality. There were so many lies and double crossing. Blame of cultures when blame wasn't due.
At the base of everything was the love of family. A love that survived everything.
Despite the subject matter, I couldn't stop reading this. Its written sympathetically and in such a way that its not all doom and gloom. Far from it. There's a strength taken from religion and family that isn't held back by difference.
A really stunning read that is truly going to stay with me for a long time.

Thank you for the opportunity to read the advanced copy.

The books is well written and engaging. I'm not big on historical fiction, but this book held my attention captive for the entire read. If you're willing to branch out a little, I definitely recommend this!

This book was well written and a page turner. I would call it historical fiction as it is based fully on the Mountains Meadows Massacre that occurred in the 1800s in Utah. The sadness I feel that 200 years later there are still people murdering others over religion and gods makes me sick. We obviously still have learned nothing from history. Stop using religions as a weapon and a basis for hate. This was a great read even with the heavy content.

Well done and very engaging. Was hard to put down. Finished in a weekend.
Characters are well thought out and a little sad.

Overall great read.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy

This book I would categorize as historical fiction. I had never heard of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. This subject matter is painful, and parts of the book were quite difficult. The author’s writing however is remarkable and engrossing, making the book very hard to put down. I do not want to give anything away and let others simple enjoy diving into this experience. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this opportunity!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house, and the author for the opportunity to read a complementary copy of this book in return for a review, based upon my honest opinion

I had never heard of the Mountain Meadows massacre of 1857 before I read this book. I really enjoyed the depth of the story and how much research the author must’ve put into this book. This was a really dark and compelling story. It was told really well and the book is well worth reading. This book is about the stories of three women, Lucy, Sally and Katrina. Their stories were poignant and interesting. This book was a great read. I would definitely read more books by this author in the future.

I love this author so I was really really excited about this book but it was a lot different than her other ones. I’m not a fan of historical fiction and to me, that’s what this was. I really really wanted love this.

*Delayed review due to personal circumstances*

This. Book!
I absolutely loved it.
So beautifully written, albeit harrowing- I became super invested in the characters. I'd never heard of the Mountains Meadow Massacre 1857 before, and what a story to tell.

We meet 3 main female characters, Lucy, Sally and Katrina, and told their stories whilst Ihli also introduces the reader to the tragic events in Utah, 1857.
Please pay attention to the trigger warnings.

A million thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved everything from the cover art to the writing style. The book was very well written, and I became so invested in the characters and their stories. I loved the multiple POVs, and it helped to give such depth to the story. I admit that this stuck with me long after finishing the book. I can't wait for more from this author.

Thank you Net Galley ARC and Dynamite Books

This book had ALL the feels and you immediately become attached to certain characters. There are multiple POV and it gives you a new perspective with each chapter. The daunting research the author went through for this novel shows in the depths of these pages. Pointgant and repulsive, it truly captures this terrifying true story in a new way that will haunt you long after you finished reading.

Absolutely loved this book, so glad this story is being told!! Not many people realize the hardships that everyone faced, and this isn't a story you'll learn in school.

I had never heard of the Mountain Meadows Massacre prior to reading this book and I think it is definitely an event that should be taught and learned about. This story was absolutely gut wrenching to read and what took place is incomprehensible. Told in multiple POV's from 3 women involved, we learn about a group of people traveling through Utah on their way to California in a wagon train. When this group reaches Mountain Meadows they stop to rest. During this rest period they are attacked by a group of men dressed like Native Americans resulting in the one of the most brutal massacres in American history.

This book did take a bit for me to get into, but once I did I had a difficult time putting it down. I would recommend only picking it up when you have a good chunk of time to read. The multiple POV's took me a bit to know all of the characters.

This book is much different than Noelle’s other books. I love everything she has written that I have read so far. This book was very interesting. Based on a true story that she actually took the time to research. I loved everything moment of it!it was heart wrenching and it took my breath away! Way to go Noelle W. Ihli