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jan1234's review against another edition
4.0
To be honest, when I started this book, I didn't think I'd finish it. That's all that appeared to be, is work, work and more work. That's all Elnar did was shout and be really irritable. The kindness and patience that Signe & Rune had was amazing. Finally, things started to slowly change. By the end of the book, I didn't want it to end. I liked the trust that they eventually had in the Lord. Signe & Rune's family really worked together and helped each other. I borrowed this on audible, looking forward to listening to the next book in the series.
sharksgrill19's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
The Promise of Dawn by Lauraine Snelling is the first book in her new Under Northern Skies series. It is April in 1909 when Signe Carlson and her husband, Rune receive a letter from Einar and Gerd Strand who live near Blackduck, Minnesota. The Strand’s need assistance on their farm and will pay the Carlson’s passage in exchange for work (they sign a contract). Signe, Rune and their three boys set off on the long journey to Minnesota. They arrive at the farm and the greeting is not what they expected. The farmhouse is a mess, there is no place for them to sleep, Gerd is sick (and rude), and Einar is demanding. Signe spends her days whipping the farmhouse into shape, cooking, and taking care of Gerd’s needs. Einar has Rune and Knute (their eldest child) out early every morning felling trees to clear the property and earn money. Signe knows life in Norway was hard, but they had family, friends, a home, and soft beds. Her trust in God is faltering. She struggles to understand why her family must endure such hardship. Then Signe falls from the ladder to the loft (where they sleep) late in her pregnancy causing her to go into labor. Signe loses a great deal of blood and is very weak after giving birth to a little girl. Things cannot go on as they have been for the Carlson’s. Is there a chance for a better future for the Signe and her family? Pick up The Promise of Dawn to see what happens (I do not want to spoil the story for you).
The Promise of Dawn is a well-crafted novel. It is one of those books that you start reading and do not want to put down (I stayed up very late—even for me). After I finished the book, I continued to think about it. The Promise of Dawn has rich, well-developed characters and a rugged, yet beautiful setting. Ms. Snelling’s vivid descriptions brought the book alive for me (the author has a special knack). I could picture the scenes in my head (could even imagine the smell of the stinky outhouse). I am rating The Promise of Dawn 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it). The Promise of Dawn is an emotional story (love, humor, heartbreak, anger, joy and much more). The plight of the Carlson’s will tug at your heart. I thought the book to be well-written, have a nice pace and flow, and to be very realistic. So much happens in The Promise of Dawn (I only gave a brief overview). The Christian element was handled beautifully. We see how Signe struggles with trusting God and keeping her faith. God has a plan, but Signe must be patient. There are good life lessons in The Promise of Dawn. I appreciated the mentions of Ingeborg from Red River of the North series (she is such a wonderful character). I look forward to reading the next installment in Under Northern Skies series.
The Promise of Dawn is a well-crafted novel. It is one of those books that you start reading and do not want to put down (I stayed up very late—even for me). After I finished the book, I continued to think about it. The Promise of Dawn has rich, well-developed characters and a rugged, yet beautiful setting. Ms. Snelling’s vivid descriptions brought the book alive for me (the author has a special knack). I could picture the scenes in my head (could even imagine the smell of the stinky outhouse). I am rating The Promise of Dawn 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it). The Promise of Dawn is an emotional story (love, humor, heartbreak, anger, joy and much more). The plight of the Carlson’s will tug at your heart. I thought the book to be well-written, have a nice pace and flow, and to be very realistic. So much happens in The Promise of Dawn (I only gave a brief overview). The Christian element was handled beautifully. We see how Signe struggles with trusting God and keeping her faith. God has a plan, but Signe must be patient. There are good life lessons in The Promise of Dawn. I appreciated the mentions of Ingeborg from Red River of the North series (she is such a wonderful character). I look forward to reading the next installment in Under Northern Skies series.
wellingtonestatelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed being back in this historical world, though glad I never had to live there!
rachel93's review against another edition
4.0
After reading the acknowledgements at the end of this book I’ve come to the conclusion the Gunlaug (Runes mother) will most likely be reunited with her cousin Ingeborg by the end of this series. So I suggest read Mrs. Snelling’s Red River of the North series before reading this. That way you’ll be a little more familiar with Ingeborg and her family. There’s also four other series that are branched off from Red River of the North that would be good to read but I don’t think are necessary to. So far the only character mentioned from her other series is Ingeborg. But if what the author said in the acknowledgements is any indication then there’s a chance we could see mention of some other characters from Blessing, North Dakota.
First of I could not stand Eniar and Gerd during the first half of this book. They’re incredibly mean and rude to family members who packed up their belongings and moved to another country to help them. Runs and Singe were good characters and I enjoyed them and their boys. I also liked that this focuses on Gunlags side of the family. This was well written. I enjoyed it and am definitely going to read the rest of the Under Nothern Skies series.
Most definitely recommend if your a Lauraine Snelling fan.
First of I could not stand Eniar and Gerd during the first half of this book. They’re incredibly mean and rude to family members who packed up their belongings and moved to another country to help them. Runs and Singe were good characters and I enjoyed them and their boys. I also liked that this focuses on Gunlags side of the family. This was well written. I enjoyed it and am definitely going to read the rest of the Under Nothern Skies series.
Most definitely recommend if your a Lauraine Snelling fan.
ellingtonfeint's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. That's the quintessential break down of it. I could knit pick it and say what parts annoyed me but it wouldn't really matter because I read it every spare minute and truly, purely enjoyed the read. I like the writing style, I loved the characters, I like the dialogue, I liked the way Gerd's character went from "nei, coffee" to being a permanent, loved, useful part of the family. All the boys were great. I agree with other reviews, there was one character, that shall remain nameless, that went nowhere with no reasons for their behaviour. But this book was truly like a little house on the prairie for adults and I loved it.
I am looking forward to the next I the series but there were negative comments about them so I'm apreshensive but I can enjoy most books.
I am looking forward to the next I the series but there were negative comments about them so I'm apreshensive but I can enjoy most books.
skigirl1689's review against another edition
1.0
One of the dullest novels I've read in recent memory. It just dragged on and on with very little plot movement.
wintermote's review against another edition
4.0
While lighter on the faith element than I would’ve liked, this was an interesting story, I appreciated that there was character development in multiple characters.