I don’t even have the words. Simply incredible. This author’s writing is unbelievably phenomenal. My review will not do this book justice. I am without words. I have never read anything on the Donner party. Of course I have heard stories of what happened, but I’ve never read any books – nonfiction or fiction - about them. Honestly, if this wasn’t by a trusted author, I would not have picked it up. But my life is so much better for having read it. I recommend it to all. Yes, you will struggle through emotional times. There is heartache and struggle and tears but also laughter and family and faith. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book, but I was pulled in very quickly. Three women (13, 19, and 41) and their families in 1846 preparing to make the journey West to California. It was incredible. As a kid, I liked to play the CD ROM game Oregon Trail. Throughout reading this story I could picture images from that exact game as they were trading for the food they would need and how many pounds per person, going out and hunting game, etc. This was such a unique story. This story was strong and captivating. I think sometimes horrific events make us forget that there are real people involved. Those people all have histories and the story we hear isn’t the entire thing. What happened before they were even near the Sierra Nevada mountains? What were their hopes and dreams? Who did they lose along the way, who did they find along the way, and so much more. When we hear about the Donner Party, all we think is “cannibalism.” I’m here to tell you that this story will change everything. Real people. Gut wrenching events. An unbelief that they even lived long enough to make that hard choice. My views and world have been changed. My eyes and heart opened. Over two thousand miles of horror happened on their trip before those fateful months. No one can even begin to comprehend but this book will take you in and show you. I think this should be required reading at the college level. Never have I read a book with this depth and historicity that captivated me so. My sincerest thanks for to the author for pushing forward against the naysayers and publishing this. I really cannot say enough about this historical fiction. Simple wonderful. I don’t normally do this, but I will be purchasing a physical copy of this book immediately and lending it out to everyone I know who can’t get a copy for themselves. I received an e ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.