There was something about this book that felt incredibly real and raw. Knowing it was based around the Mountain Meadows Massacre made the historical aspects hit so much harder. It’s one thing to read a fictional story about something horrific, but knowing the events at its core actually happened makes the whole thing feel completely different.

I really loved the way the historical elements were woven through the story. There was a weight to it that I don’t think would have been there if it were entirely fictional, and I found myself thinking about the real people and events behind the story rather than just treating it as another thriller.

It wasn’t a perfect read for me, but the rawness of it and the connection to such a dark piece of history really stayed with me. Definitely one of those books where the fact that this actually happened is what makes it hit differently.