Review: Where the Lost Wander

Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rarely is a book 5 stars to me. This book was an excellent read with many feels throughout it.

I wish the prologue wasn't there. After reading it, the immense sorrow I felt, made the rest of the book feel different. The prologue tells of a very important event in the story about 3/4 the way through. Then the book starts at the beginning and leads you up to that prologue and after. So the whole time I'm reading the book I am filled with sadness and dread because I already know what is going to happen 3/4 the way in. This doesn't take away from the book's greatness. I was still sucked into the lives of these people emigrating across the Oregon Trail.

Part of the fun of this book was reading about the travel across the Oregon Trail. Like any kid that grew up in the 80s and 90s I played "the Oregon Trail" game on the computer for school. It was fun to read about the places I had already been aware of from the game. It was like putting the game to life with real people. I knew where they were on their journey, I knew where they were going, and I remember the hardships my "settlers" faced at certain parts so I sort of knew what was yet to come.

I wish there was a sequel, the book was that good. I didn't skim any pages, I was thoroughly engrossed in the story the entire time. It took me 2 days to read but only because I had other things to do too. Nothing was predictable or stale, the story was awesome. 

READING PROGRESS

September 14, 2020 – Started Reading

September 14, 2020 – Shelved

September 16, 2020 – Finished Reading

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Review: Waiting for Hope

Waiting for Hope by Karen J. Hasley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book in the series started out great. The first half kept me interested and I enjoyed the story of Hope's journey. About halfway through is when the book became super predictable and not as fun to read. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't exciting or new either. It was the same old "broken girl from wrong side of the tracks meets handsome rich guy; they fall in love but don't want to acknowledge it; tragedy happens and they realize they can't live without each other." This type of story has been written time and time again. If I hadn't wanted to read book 3, I probably wouldn't have finished book 2. It was nice to learn some of the things that happened between book 1 and 2 though; I enjoy reading about Lou's family.

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READING PROGRESS

July 13, 2020 – Started Reading
July 22, 2020 – Finished Reading

Review: EMBRACE THE WIND: An Historical Novel of the American West

EMBRACE THE WIND: An Historical Novel of the American West by Susan Denning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book in this series was much better than the first. I read it in less than 24 hours because the story was so good.
Things that bothered me are that the author spends long drawn out pages on one event and then skips briefly past others that seem more important. For example, one incident takes 5 pages and a death takes 2 sentences? It just doesn't make sense.
This book ended better than the first book; however, I still feel like some parts are written weird. The main character says and acts totally contrary to what she is like in the rest of the book. I can't give specifics without spoiling. The main character needs to be consistent. She was smart most the book but then in one part was completely dense and stupid? She is strong and smart mouthed most the book but is completely helpless and meak in another incident?
Besides these flaws I was totally drawn into the story. I loved every bit. I really wish there was a third in the series.

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Review: Far Away Home: An Historical Novel of the American West

Far Away Home: An Historical Novel of the American West by Susan Denning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have a love hate with this book. I love the story, the characters, the time period.
I hate some of the ways the main character acts and her choices.
But I guess that is what makes a good book - the love/hate relationship. It pulled me in and I couldn't stop reading it until I was at the end. The end made me really angry. I hated the character's choice.
The minute I finished I grabbed book 2 in the series.

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