A review by chelz286
The View from Half Dome by Jill Caugherty, Jill Caugherty

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-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? Yes

4.5

I loved reading about Yosemite in this novel. An interesting historical novel about one of the first female naturalists in Yosemite and how she fought to pave the way for other women in this field. Isabel is sick of the dreary, dirty San Francisco neighborhood and she is not sure how much longer she can put up with her mother and always having to be the caretaker of her sister and do the cleaning and cooking on top of school. After a terrible tragedy occurs, she makes a rash decision to seek her out her brother who serves in the CCC at Yosemite. A large favor taken from a friend, she finds her way out there with no plan, no money and nothing further beyond just the need to see James. With the help of strangers, Isabel slowly finds herself enveloped in the Yosemite beauty and all it has to offer. Feeling like she finally belongs and is a part of something, she is quickly taken under the wing of Enid Michael to learn and grow but her past isn't far and Enid knows there is something more to Isabel's story. As Enid has learned, humans just like nature will grow and eventually their secrets will be revealed. Carrying the burden of what she ran from and the need to finally do something for herself, Isabel has some hard decisions to make and whether she is doing them for the right reason. I really loved all the nature through out this novel. Thank you to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite and to the author for the free novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord.