Member Reviews

This is a fictional retelling of an actual historical event which makes it equally horrifying as interesting. I know almost nothing of US history in the 19th century so being able to fill a gap through fiction was great. The fact that the author has used her own family history made it to have a special feel to it too.

The story takes place in (what is now) the Utah desert in 1857. It’s a time of migration and we follow a wagon caravan with families going from Arkansas to California to start new settlements. Utah, in the 1850s, is not a part of the United States, it becomes the 45th state in early 1896. The area which the wagons are travelling through is on Paiute land but is part of the Mormon settlers bigger area, called the state of Deseret.

In the story we follow both members in the wagon caravan, members of the Mormon settlers in a nearby town and the indigenous character Kahpeputz so the reader gets the full range of interpretations of the things that happens which gives nuances to the story.

It is a terrible history that Ihli portrays in the book about people caring about their familes and communities and how little there has to be to divide, and for violence to take place. It is marketed as a thriller, and even though it was thrilling at times, I would rather call this pruely historical fiction. However, I was eager to read a few chapters a day because I cared about the characters and the story.

Was this review helpful?

What an incredible story! This one will always stick with me! This is truly one of my favorite authors. A truly heart wrenching story, but one so worth being told! Wow!!

Was this review helpful?

None left to tell is very different from the other two books I've read by Noelle west Ihli. This isn't much of a thriller but more of a historical fiction story. I had a hard time getting into the story as there seemed to be a lot of different characters. It took a minute for me to really get immersed into the story. Once I got a fair amount in I was very invested in the lives of these people who were seeking a better life for themselves and their family.
As a person who enjoys history I thought Noelle did a wonderful job telling this story and captivating the devastating tale of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Although this isn't a book I'd normally chose to read I did end up enjoying the story.

Was this review helpful?

This book is classified as a thriller. It isn’t what I would consider a traditional thriller, more of a historical thriller. Definitely kept me interested. I felt very close with the characters and there were a few tear-jerkers. I love that it is based on history. I would reccomend this book. There are some graphic scenes but it is necessary to tell the story and emphasize what happened back in that time period.

Was this review helpful?

I don’t even know how you can review this book. Noelle is one of my very favorite authors. This book is a historical fiction based on true haunting events. She masterfully makes you want to keep reading and throw your book at the same time. Heart wrenching and yet a beautiful way to let those who can no longer speak have their story told. Stunning.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Wow! This book was amazing. Be perfect combination of history and fiction. Told from 3 POVs - this is the story of Mountain Meadows Massacre. Each POV represents a side of the story. The "Indians," the Mormons and the gentiles.

Each side painful in their own way. So many wrongs do not make a right. This is a poignant story about survival in old America. Religious persecution, politics and greed. The ending was a jaw dropper. I can't say enough about this book. Thank you to the author, Noelle W. Ihli for writing this, I'm sure it wasn't easy.

Was this review helpful?

I am a huge fan of all Noelle's thrillers. This one had a very different tone and theme, but the underlying tension and fear was there. This topic was unknown to me before reading but thought the book i found myself doing side research.

Was this review helpful?

3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
None Left To Tell
Author: Noelle W. Ihi

Thank you so much Netgalley for this ARC! I absolutely love Noelle’s thriller reads, and I was eager to get my hands on this one. Based on the true story of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, that fact alone leaves you feeling super uneasy and on edge as you start reading this book. I was not familiar with that event and of course, had to go research a bunch of stuff after because it is an absolutely terrible piece of history. Three women with interconnecting stories in this book. It was a bit slow paced for me, and I had a hard time getting invested into the story. It was extremely dark so please know that going in. Noelle still does an amazing job translating history into a story that will grip you from page one. I just felt a little disconnected from each of the characters, but the book overall was worth the read.

Was this review helpful?

This was my first read by this author so I wasn’t too sure what to expect. I was not at all familiar with the story of the Mountain Meadows Massacre and I’ll be honest, had this originally been marketed as a “historical thriller based on true events” I probably would have passed on applying for the arc. I don’t even feel like my rating is fair as I can tell I am just not the target audience for this book and I just know there are a lot of readers out there who will really enjoy this heart-wrenching story.

Was this review helpful?

Before I read this book, I had never heard of the Mountain Meadow Massacre, however the research that was done on this book made me feel like I did not even have to look up any information on it as it was provided in a very vivid, clear way. I did not realize this book was going to be so historical, which I normally wouldn’t pick up anything pertaining to History, but this book changed my mind. I was quickly drawn in as the 3 different FMCs in this book went through all different circumstances and how it caused them to be connected. If you’re looking for something historical yet mystery, this is the book for you.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this eARC. Thank you to the author, Noelle West Ihli for writing this masterpiece and to the publishers at Dynamite Books.

Was this review helpful?

This was a tough one for me for several reasons! Initially I didn't know if I was going to finish the book. It was originally marketed as a thriller and while it maybe has some small thriller-like aspects, it really is more historical fiction. The problem? I don't love historical fiction. The first 25% of the book really dragged for me. I get that character development needs to happen, but I struggled through it. Luckily, around 30% things started picking up and I did find that I enjoyed most of the rest of the book. Was it my favorite? No. Would I recommend it to someone who doesn't like historical fiction? Probably not. BUT for those who do, I think this is probably a must-read.

You can tell the author did a ton of research on the topic to bring a true story/event to life. I can see why others have said it is "beautifully written," as I think she did a great job of portraying the cruelty, struggle, and emotion that took place. I liked the three perspectives of the women telling the story. It was tough to read at times because of what the characters had to endure, but I appreciate that the author kept things as true to form as possible so that the historical event could be accurately portrayed.

I was probably not the "right" audience for this book but I felt like it did redeem itself in the second half. For that I am giving 3.5 stars rounded down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dynamite Books for an ARC of this novel.

Was this review helpful?

Told through multiple narrators, women and children, but I found it easy to follow. This part of American history was unknown to me and was really shocking.
This historical thriller recounts the 1850s Mormon forced migration across the country due the government's and it's people's ostracism. Graphic depictions include slaughter of draft animals, and deaths of adults and a small child.
The author tells the story with empathy and vivid images. I want to read Ask for Andrea.

Was this review helpful?

This was absolutely amazing! I was totally enthralled with this story from beginning to end, I could barely put it down, and when I finally read the last page, the house was dark, I was hungry, thirsty, needed to pee and my neck was stiff. But damn, it was worth it!

Was this review helpful?

This book threw me for a loop. I have read many books by this author and this one is so very different from their other ones. That being said...wow! Just wow! I'm not sure I can put into words how incredible this book was. It has everything from love, to strength, to heartbreak, to family bonds, to shocking moments, etc.

I love how it tells the story from different women's perspective. Each woman, with a different vantage point, expressing their views on the same situation. It wasn't confusing, going back and forth, but was incredible. The strength of all of these women could be felt page after page. The frustration and anger could be felt page after page. It was a brilliant way to lay out this story. Reading about this awful massacre in this way just broke my heart. I had quite a few moments where I audibly gasped and cried. I felt an instant connection with all of these women and this story will stay with me for a very, very long time.

This is a heavier book to read. It packs a big punch in the feels. That being said, it is absolutely incredible and if you haven't already read it - go do so right now.

Was this review helpful?

Noelle Ihili’s "None Left to Tell" is an emotionally charged thriller that highlights parts of history that are often ignored or lost. Set in Utah in the late 1800s, we follow characters from different walks of life. Before getting into the plot of the book, I want to praise Noelle West Ihli's ability to take this forgotten piece of history and weave it into a beautiful, heartbreaking narrative. As a reader, you can tell how much research was done to accurately portray the events that lead up and follow the tragic Mountain Meadows Massacre.

I do not normally pick up Historical Fiction, but I thought I would give it a try, and I'm glad I did. In a little over 300 pages, we are introduced to a wide cast of characters who come from different ways of life. We get to meet Katrina, a mother, who is traveling with her family to California from Arkansas, Kahpeputz (Sally), a young Bannock woman, who was kidnapped from her tribe and later served as one of the wives for Chief Kanosh, and Lucy Robison, a Mormon wife, living in Utah during the time of the massacres, and more. All these women go through situations that I can't even put into words (literally, have been trying to figure out what to say for the last hour). I hope in the afterlife, they have found peace. I hope the few Mormon's who have escape their fates, DO NOT find peace and that there souls do not rest. Anyway, if you have read this far, put this review to the back of your mind and go read the book.

Was this review helpful?

When I see this authors name I absolutely request it right away she is one of my favorites. I definitely felt the thriller as well as the historical fiction part which by all means I am happy with! I do not want to say a lot without spoiling it but I learned a lot about The Mountain Meadows Massacre and there were parts in this book that had me on the edge of my seat as were parts that honestly I cried for. Noelle's attention to detail within her writing is divine.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the copy. None Left to Tell is very different from Ihli’s other novels, but it is definitely worth the read. It is a work of fiction, but is based on the true story of the Mountain Meadow Massacre. I had no idea of this event before I picked up the book. Ihli did a great job at showcasing this event for the public. My emotions went up and down as I read the story. It is told from the perspectives of multiple women with different backgrounds, but are all related to the massacre. I highly recommend reading the afterword. It gives some of Ihli’s thoughts and experiences.

Was this review helpful?

Unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me. I should have dug into what the story was more about. I had read other books by this author and I thought it was going to be more of a thriller vibe. It’s done really well it just isn’t in my own personal taste!

Was this review helpful?

I love Noelle Ihli’s writing, but this one hit a little closer to home, previously being a member of the Mormon church. What a crazy story and piece of history that I had never heard of, it’s so crazy and awful to hear about the trials that these pioneers (and natives) endured. I’m not sure it’s for everyone, but I blew through it from beginning to end, and loved her “afterword” at the end!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an e-arc!

Let me start off by saying that this book is SO GOOD. You will not be able to put it down, especially because it’s based on a horrific massacre that really happened, yet is seldom talked about or taught in schools. Honestly, I was so confused how I had never heard about this and also horrified that something so terrible can just be lost to history.

This is my first read by this author, and it wasn’t at all what I was expecting (not in a bad way at all though!) I like to go into books blind, so I knew that this takes place in the late 1800s and understood it to be a thriller/mystery type genre like the other novels by this author. Personally, to me, this read more like a historical fiction, but definitely a fast-paced one that keeps you up reading!! The story is horrific, because the real events that happened are horrific.

I’m not going to go too deep into the premise. We follow along on the journey of a family making their way across the country in a wagon, hoping to find a better life out west. The family is part of many other families in a convoy traveling together, setting up camp at various spots along the way. There are tensions with the Mormons, so the travelers try to keep to themselves as much as they can. However, when the group is told to leave an area they had been camped out, they are so quick to rush that they have no time to collect their dead cattle- very sick dead cattle, unbeknownst to them. When the Mormons and their allies take the dead cattle for meat and for its skin, a deadly illness spreads. Thinking that this was an intentional attack, the Mormons are ready for revenge, instructing their allies on what to do.

This book is written in multiple point of views, which I really enjoyed because it allows the reader to see the events from multiple sides and understand how this terrible massacre came to be. The author took such care to do a lot of heavy research, (read the author’s note/acknowledgements at the end!!) and although this was hard to read at points, I think the topic is so so important! This will break your heart, make you angry, and take you on every emotion in between.

Just as a personal aside, I am from the central New York area and I was so excited to see a mention of the Oswego River!! I know Syracuse is mentioned often in books, but I have never seen a reference to the Oswego River, so I really appreciated that detail being included!

Anyway, this is definitely worth the read!!

Was this review helpful?