Eliza Spalding Warren struggles with feelings of displacement after her captivity by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre in 1847 and the death of her mother a few years later. Wanting to find love and acceptance, she impulsively makes a decision that forever changes her family dynamic. But this choice has consequences. Now she is facing a move back to the territory where she spent her captivity. Desperate for comfort, she finds her mother’s diary in the attic and spends time reading of her mother’s struggles in a new land, surprised to find similarities in their circumstances. As Eliza learns to trust and grow despite her surroundings, she finds peace and healing in her past and her future.
This novel is full of interesting history. It is especially fascinating because the author based much of the facts on real events. I appreciated the author’s ability to tell the story without romanticizing the plot in any way, making it as realistic as possible. One part of the novel that made the plot a little choppier was the chapters of Eliza’s mother’s diary interspersed among Eliza’s story, despite the fact that it was interesting to read about the parallels in both of their lives. Overall, I really liked the characters, especially Eliza. I also enjoyed the author’s writing style, which flowed well. The story moves quickly as it occurs over many years, but the development of the characters does not make this feel rushed. A novel recommended for its great historical depth!
I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Life of Literature 