THIS BOOK!

***Possible spoilers ahead***

I personally don't normally steer towards reading historical fiction, but this book makes me want to pick up more for sure!

I adore Katherine Arden's writing style. She has a way of writing her characters perfectly for the setting they are in, and this is no different. The dialogue and themes throughout this story are extremely time period appropriate and absolutely captivating. Laura was a determined, stubborn, and fiesty FMC, and the characters surrounding her took her strengths to better themselves. Although I have never been part of a war, I could feel the damage the war did to Freddie looking back in Laura's memory of him and how his part of the story played out. I thought the two were a very nice balance for each other, and the way the storylines came together was perfect.

I also loved all of the side characters. They all felt necessary and played important roles, and I really love how Faland was a villain character that wasn't necessarily nefarious. He didn't have that typical villain tantrum, he kind of let the people around him decide their own fates without a ton of interference. It more or less felt like he was more curious about human nature and psychology, though he did try to sway them to stay with him and give over themselves, which in a way is almost a more hardened villain in my opinion.

And can we get an amen for Jones!? I absolutely loved him.

I would highly, highly, highly recommend this to any and all who enjoy historical fiction stories and honestly to anyone who just enjoys a good story. This is definitely going to be a top read for me for the year, and is quite possibly one of my new all time favorites.