This book is absolutely engaging. I was sucked by word one. The author has a real gift for keeping her readers on the edge of their seats with her suspenseful writing with the occasional down time to heal and recuperate. Courtney balances her story between the two wonderfully so the reader isn't bored with downtime or overwhelmed with constant action.

The story itself and the characters are amazing as well. I felt engaged by Catie’s struggle for survival in the cold mountains of Appalachia, her fight for justice for her family’s murder, and her finding love in the most unexpected of places. The author draws on real historical facts and figures to create one girls struggle against the elements, men bent on war, and to understand her place in the grander scale of historical events she finds herself smack in the middle of.

All the author’s characters are fascinating. From the minor like Susannah Emory trying to live between two worlds to the major like Lt Malcolm Craig struggling to overcome a horrific past and find love again with this stranger of a girl he rescues. Yet, I really do feel that the show was stolen by Catie. She’s such a strong character, full of passion for life that she fights so hard to keep, filled with the fire of justice that she’s struggling to bring for her family, and with such a strong will that she’s able to overcome some pretty dang strong obstacles. Courtney does an admirable job in bring all her characters to life, and she succeeds in spades.

I also have to commend the author on her historical research, not all that surprising however since she does hold a college degree in it. There are many nuggets of information hidden in this whopper of a tale that will make the historical enthusiast in anyone happy as a pig in mud (call me Ms Piggy!). From real historical figures like Captain Stuart to real events like the siege of Fort Loudon to real historical character traits like Grant and his penchant for traps, this book shows the author’s dedication to getting her facts right and using that to tell an incredible tale of survival, justice, and love.

This book was a lovely surprise. I wasn't expecting all that I got but was so happy I found it. Impeccable historical detail, strong as steel characters, and a suspenseful tale all come together to create a book I would highly recommend to any historical fiction lover. Don’t let the YA target audience fool you; this book is for everyone, old and young.

Note: Book received for free via Good Reads First Reads program in exchange for honest review. ( )