4.5 stars.

"just like life. The clouds. They never hold still. Sometimes you think you're seeing one thing and a second later, the whole picture changes."

This book was fantastic!
It had great writing, nice characters, a wonderful friendships, great diversity and beautiful moments all mixed together.

I did enjoy the story as a whole a huge amount.

The writing was great, sucking you into the story and taking you along for the ride (pun intended with there being lots of horses and even Cowboys in this book!) and the female friendship was wonderful to see.

I enjoy the difference between the two main girl -Sammy and Andy- since Sammy the Chinese girl was more shy and unsure and just pretty overwhelmed by what happens and how she got on the journey she is On, while Andy is very determined, sure of herself and in a way loud and just there and proud without going over board with it. But it's beautiful to see such different characteristics in a story and still have them go along and be great friends.

I also loved the knowledge that Sammy had and was taught by her father, which I loved because a father that didn't care at all that it was against traditions to teach his daughter everything he knows without any restrictions at 1849? That just so great to read. He taught her Chinese medical knowledge and many different languages and other useful information as well as as the one that taught her the violin even if during that time it was a male instrument apparently. And I loved that Sammy really quite capable in her own right once she came out of her shell a little.

I did think the entire girls dress up as boys a bit unbelievable especially since apparently Sammy is a rather beautiful and female looking girl so even dressed as a guy it's noticeable, but you know what who cares? And it's not overly talked or done up that those two girls dress up and more a side thing that happens because it's safer and that's it.

I wasn't the biggest fan of the guys in the book to be honest, but that was mostly personal things. I didn't really like west and did feel that especially compared to the wonderfully and fleshed out rest of the characters he fell a little short in the characterization department since he basically had no personality? He was a nice and mostly sweet guy that did what he thought was right, but I would have enjoyed a bit more depth in him.
The other two were alright as well, even if with their as well I felt there was something deeper missing, but maybe that was just because I really liked the back stories and knowledge we got with Andy and Sammy that we didn't really get with the three guys.

The story itself is not really about gold rush or going anywhere specific it is more about the journey you take and what you do while on it. And I loved that.

All in all this was a wonderfully, beautifully done story.
Huge amount of diversity, lots own fantastic characters.
Good amount of friendship, love, lost, adventure, action and quieter heartfelt scenes mixed tighter in a delightful way.
It's a great book, fun and easy but at the same time one that stays with you after finsihing it for a while simply because of the great writing and characters we get to know through out this book.

I had a great time with this book and can't wait to reread it sometime in the future!

I will definelty read more by this author! And you all should pick this book up and love it as well!