I have to admit I don't think this is my kind of book.

I understand the tragedy and how it can move you to seek something/anything.

It's a wonderful story but ? Really?

I know I'm going to be slammed for this but I feel it's the person and not necessarily God. Just my opinion.
Now I'm going to go and duck out of sight.

This is one of those memoirs that will grip you and will not let you go even after finishing the last page. It will leave you will a great mixture of different emotions that in many ways made me want to restart the book all over again through i knew i couldn't handle going through the horrors and heartbreaks all over again right away that those men experienced.

If you want a powerful gripping memoir that keeps you reading and interesting and thinking about it long after you finished the book, if you want to experience an adventure without leaving your safe home, this is the book to do that with!

Survivor by Duane C. Miller is the author's true story of surviving a canoe trip that ended in tragedy for some of the people he was with. The author explains the context of the trip and the participant's deep faith in God, a faith not shaken even by death. Duane deals with survivor's guilt and works through this in the book. I think what makes this book wonderful is the author's sincerity and boldness in telling about the power of God to overcome horrible circumstances and to redeem them. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher. These opinions are entirely my own.

I was given this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. Very adventurous and brave book. Highly recommend!

I highly recommend that you read this book! I was moved to tears several times. This powerful story grips you tight and will leave you thinking about it long after you turn the final page. This is a story about faith, perseverance, redemption, and trusting in God and His designed plan. I cannot imagine the horrors and heartbreak that these young men experienced on that day in the Canadian wilderness.

The intro describing the Trail to Life Camp sounds amazing. I would love to experience a place like that. It reminded me of my time as a camper and counselor at our local Boy Scout Camp, except that TTLC was focused on making soldiers for Christ. These young men learned how to be disciples in their community and schools, but they also learned the value of preparedness and survival. Nothing they learned could prepare them for the tragedy they experienced that day. However, they soon realized that God always has a plan. He planned to use these young men and this unthinkable experience to further His Kingdom.

As the story goes along we learn more about God's timing. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. This group of guys found themselves at the place and time that God designed a few times on their journey. Shortly after the tragedy, the author says he was reminded of Romans 8:28 - "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are the called according to his purpose." This verse gave them comfort and hope in the wake of what they had experienced. However, the author later describes how he used this verse as a tool to hide the demons battling inside of himself. I love this quote from a pastor in the book - "With the Lord, there are never accidents, only incidents that draw us closer to Him.”

This story reminds me of a popular song out right now "In the Eye of the Storm", which reminds us that God is always in control, no matter the situation. I believe this book would make a great movie. It would reach a much larger audience in hopes that more lives would be changed by its message. The end of the book invites the reader to accept Jesus as their personal savior, providing questions and key scriptures designed to lead someone to Christ.

I highly recommend this book to all Christians. The story of what happened after that fateful day in the Canadian wilderness is truly life changing. I received this as a free ARC from Discovery House Publishers on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.