alliepeduto's review against another edition
4.0
This is barely short of a 5 star read for me, though honestly I loved it so much I’m tempted to bump it up just because. This is absolutely everything I love about historical fiction; the author created an entirely fictional story, but based it in so much historical fact that it was believable. I could very easily imagine the real life counterparts of each of these women, even if a women-led expedition to the Arctic never happened.
This book also happened to combine some of my more obscure historical interests into a single novel, and I really appreciated that aspect. I watched a horror anthology on AMC called The Terror a few years back, and while it’s another fictional take on the real life Franklin expedition, I highly recommend watching as it captures the same feeling of isolation and hostility that comes with being so far from civilization. I also happen to be a long time student of Oregon Trail history, so much so that I physically walked a part of the remaining trail a few months ago. The fact that the author could take two completely separate historical events but match up the timelines so seamlessly is incredible to me.
Ultimately, the key between the two historical events highlighted in the novel is survival against all odds. I think reading this put my 2020 experience into a much needed perspective, and as a result I want to go back and read more of this author’s work. Also, I love reading cold weather books in a warm home!
This book also happened to combine some of my more obscure historical interests into a single novel, and I really appreciated that aspect. I watched a horror anthology on AMC called The Terror a few years back, and while it’s another fictional take on the real life Franklin expedition, I highly recommend watching as it captures the same feeling of isolation and hostility that comes with being so far from civilization. I also happen to be a long time student of Oregon Trail history, so much so that I physically walked a part of the remaining trail a few months ago. The fact that the author could take two completely separate historical events but match up the timelines so seamlessly is incredible to me.
Ultimately, the key between the two historical events highlighted in the novel is survival against all odds. I think reading this put my 2020 experience into a much needed perspective, and as a result I want to go back and read more of this author’s work. Also, I love reading cold weather books in a warm home!
jaded618's review against another edition
5.0
What a read! This book hits you on so many levels. I felt so many emotions and really feel that this book reflected so many strengths women can have and are not recognized for.
The ties to actual historical events was fascinating and I found myself taking breaks to read up on other facts that were mentioned.
Although there were a lot of characters, I really felt like they were given their own personalities and depth so I could imagine them so clearly.
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebook Landmarks for a chance to read this book!
The ties to actual historical events was fascinating and I found myself taking breaks to read up on other facts that were mentioned.
Although there were a lot of characters, I really felt like they were given their own personalities and depth so I could imagine them so clearly.
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebook Landmarks for a chance to read this book!
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
RATING: 2.5 STARS
2020; Sourcebooks Landmark
Arctic Fury is my second novel by Greer Macallister, and while I enjoy the historical period they are set, I am finding a hard time loving the story itself. Like Girl in Disguise, this story focused on one woman in a man's world. I found that part of the story interesting, and my curiosity kept me reading. I wish we got to hear from the other women on the expedition. Hearing only character, I started to get a bit bored with the slow part of the book. I think if it wasn't for the trial, I may have given up if I read this in print. The audio moved me long a lot more. I do want know more about the Franklin Expedition which I have heard of but don't know the details of.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2020; Sourcebooks Landmark
Arctic Fury is my second novel by Greer Macallister, and while I enjoy the historical period they are set, I am finding a hard time loving the story itself. Like Girl in Disguise, this story focused on one woman in a man's world. I found that part of the story interesting, and my curiosity kept me reading. I wish we got to hear from the other women on the expedition. Hearing only character, I started to get a bit bored with the slow part of the book. I think if it wasn't for the trial, I may have given up if I read this in print. The audio moved me long a lot more. I do want know more about the Franklin Expedition which I have heard of but don't know the details of.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
kiperoo's review against another edition
5.0
This was so gripping! The interspersed timelines and the ominous mentions of the Very Bad Thing and of course all the historical details kept me on the edge of my seat. Very glad I was indoors under a warm blanket reading this!
asoonerstar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rrickman33's review against another edition
4.0
Oh how I enjoyed this book and now I must check out the other novels written by Macallister! I just knew this book was for me based on the cover, the title, and the synopsis. A group of women in the 1850s are sent up North in the Arctic to search for a lost party of men after multiple other groups of men fail. Why not try to send women instead? But now a year later, their leader, Virginia is on trial for murder of one of the women who didn't come back...
The book will take you on a journey aboard a train, canoes, a ship, sledding with dogs in the Arctic, and trudging by foot during a winter so cold I can't even imagine it. I loved the chapters describing life in the Arctic and how the women did or did not survive the elements and weather. I wish there had been more in the actual Arctic and less prep for the journey which took up a good chunk of the book. I also wish I had gotten to read from the other 12 women's perspectives more often, I don't feel like I got to know all of them well at all.
However, with that aside this book took me on a journey so incredible I couldn't put it down. Chapters alternated between the courtroom, the expedition into the Arctic, and Virginia's past where a big secret lays waiting to be discovered. Everything is of course revealed towards the end of the book but not too close to the end so there was still time to digest it all which I appreciated.
Historical fiction readers will really enjoy the setting of the 1850s and mystery readers will enjoy everything unfolding in the courtroom chapters along with the expedition chapters. If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure based on true tidbits of history then I highly recommend this book.
The book will take you on a journey aboard a train, canoes, a ship, sledding with dogs in the Arctic, and trudging by foot during a winter so cold I can't even imagine it. I loved the chapters describing life in the Arctic and how the women did or did not survive the elements and weather. I wish there had been more in the actual Arctic and less prep for the journey which took up a good chunk of the book. I also wish I had gotten to read from the other 12 women's perspectives more often, I don't feel like I got to know all of them well at all.
However, with that aside this book took me on a journey so incredible I couldn't put it down. Chapters alternated between the courtroom, the expedition into the Arctic, and Virginia's past where a big secret lays waiting to be discovered. Everything is of course revealed towards the end of the book but not too close to the end so there was still time to digest it all which I appreciated.
Historical fiction readers will really enjoy the setting of the 1850s and mystery readers will enjoy everything unfolding in the courtroom chapters along with the expedition chapters. If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure based on true tidbits of history then I highly recommend this book.
acon90's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sbookreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
margaret102's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0