About two years ago, I watched a documentary about the tremendous ordeal of the Donner Party, a group of American Pioneers on their way to California in a wagon train. A number of the group had to resort to the act of cannibalism in order to survive when disaster stroke. I am always attracted to stories that involve controversial issues and what better genre to narrate such a story than Historical Fiction. So, this book proved to be an interesting, well-constructed example of Historical Fiction. Nothing out of the ordinary but well-written and satisfying enough for me to consider it a successful read.

We follow Jessie and Daniel, the main characters, in a journey full of hardships and obstacles that are created not only by nature but by the ones around them. It is always the same story in every era, isn't it? The prejudice, the stereotypes, the way one can damage your reputation and mark you for the rest of your life. In this case, the theme of Munn's novel is quite modern and universal. This becomes much more evident when it comes to the position of women in society. Jessie has to behave in a certain manner. She has to marry. She has to avoid making decisions of her own. She must be prevented from thinking for herself, she must be discouraged from obtaining land that belongs to her and only to her. She must be stopped from loving the man she wants to love. It doesn't get more suffocating than that and the way Munn composes the story is satisfying and atmospheric. The depiction of the Antebellum era, the daily life, the convictions were brilliantly portrayed. The dialogues were vivid, although there was too much repetition at certain points. Still, the interactions were faithful to the era and I didn't notice any anachronistic phrases that would make me cringe.

The two main characters are excellent. Both Jessie and Daniel are powerful, opinionated individuals with Daniel being a bit more complex and with a much more interesting background. They are realistic and their choices echoed the restrictions and dangers of their era. I admired Jessie for her courage and her determination to defy traditions and I could certainly see Daniel as an ambiguous, protective, tormented figure. And on a girly note, any woman would fall in love with him, so please...

Don't be fooled by the hideous cover. The book had been published in the '90s with a much better cover that suited the essence of the story. This is not a Romance. This is a very well-written Historical Fiction novel that happens to include a man and a woman that fall in love with each other. This is one aspect of the story not the whole plot. It is tastefully written and the prose has an almost nostalgic era, sounding dated but in a positive way. This is the reason why I wasn't bothered by the sentimental part of the story. I wasn't focused on it. My attention was on the depiction of the era and the social and moral prejudices inflicted on women. I read this book as an example of Historical Fiction and this is exactly what I found.

Jessi is part of the ill fated Donner party headed to California and is rescued by Daniel . The hardship, danger and decisions made envelope the reader in another time and place.

Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks . Opinions are entirely my own.

*ARC from Netgalley for Honest Review*
I Give this book 3 Stars

Don't get me wrong this is a good read, but it was a struggle to read in the beginning because it was a very slow read, so I wasn't that.. invested in trading this book. But sometimes you just gotta bust through that wall and see it through, and it turns out it wasn't too bad.  I was an emotional rollercoaster but not too bad.
Would I read more from this author? I wouldn't say no :)

A dramatic and gruesome survival journey, under blizzard conditions with a lack of food and any prospects of securing meat, even the animals safe from the weather, Jesse was adamant that orphan baby Elizabeth must survive and with Raymond the only other survivor in the broken cabin with her, went scavenging in the graves of their dead ones, her stomach and heart could not handle such atrocious and morbid measures, but the baby needs sustenance. Despite all her remorse, she couldn’t let her die, so she dipped the spoon and place it to her lips.  She couldn’t do it to herself though, every time the hunger pains attack her, she looked at the soup in the pot and her heart cries out, although having not eaten for at least four to five days, she just could not, no not her mom, and so she tried to make it hoping but hope in what, until that fateful day. The wild west was a mans world women were considered too feeble to survive and make it on their own they must have a protector but Jesse chooses to prove them wrong no matter what, she wanted her farm and after what she had been through no one is going to tell her who she must marry, who to love and what she can do. A heroine with a fighting spirit that gave this book a truly enthralling storyline, aided but superb characters, a most interesting and awesome read filled with all of life's passion and emotions.

Survivor of the Donner party

This book was first printed as DAUGHTER OF THE MOUNTAIN in 1993.

Jessie Spear was part of the ill-fated Donner party that succumbed to cannibalism in order to survive. Jessie herself didn't partake but she saved the life of a baby by using the forbidden sustenance.

She and others that are remaining are rescued by Daniel Bear and helped out of the Sierra Nevada mountains to Fort Sutter. Once there and recovered, Jessie finds land to start a farm - a dream she's held her whole life. But she finds she can't forget the man that rescued her.

This was an okay story to me although the storyline seemed rather repetitive. Just as things start to look up for Jessie, some disaster hits her again. Read a few more pages and bam, repeat. Over and over.

Okay characters, okay setting, okay storyline. Not a favorite of mine, if you can tell.

I received this book from Beyond the Page Publishing through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read the book and write an unbiased review.

I found it a bit of a slow read and some characters were not fully developed.  A little more explanation into the male main character's background would have been a good addition to the book.

I must admit that I did not enjoy this book at first, however, I am so glad that I persevered  as I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it right through from start to finish in one go. A highly recommended read.

I loved Jesse and Daniel’s story. This was a great historical romance! Jessee was a strong willed female character and I loved her determination to survive despite her harsh circumstances. I loved how Daniel was a little bit misunderstood, unfairly labeled a murdered. This was a great story of beating the odds together!

What an awesome story, so intense your heart will be pounding with the tragic experiences Jessie Spear endured. The will to survive is strong in Jessie she means to see her dream come true no matter what. Daniel Bear is an outcast he’s branded a murderer but that’s not what Jessie sees in him he’s her saviour. Jessie sees a man that will jeopardize his well being and life to help her reach safety.
A bond of the soul has formed that will keep them forever united. A story of passion and trust two souls that have endured and survived. I highly recommend this author her writing is descriptive and breathtakingly vivid, Ms. Vella Munn has given a splendid visual of all Jessie and Daniel have endured..
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest unbiased opinion.