A well written story that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
The characters draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.
They are realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself hooked, turning the pages.

What a fascinating and captivating work of Canadian historical fiction this is!

Abigail’s journey is difficult in so many ways; through people that have disrespected her, through her loss and grief, and through the harsh Canadian winter as she travels treacherously by canoe and on foot.
But I loved journeying with Abigail as she carved her own path in life and discovered some valuable truths about herself and the communities she became part of. Abigail’s scars made her strong. Some people were part of Abigail’s journey for a short time, but that friendship and trust was exactly what she needed to carry her through that point of her journey.

The historical context, the locations and the fur trade are so well researched that this book also became an enjoyable educational experience, as well as a moving fictional plot featuring the inspirational Abigail. The descriptive writing gave me such a vivid sense of time and place.

The Fort is a superb, 5 star story of hope and survival that I highly recommend.

Thank you to Rising Action Publishing for a digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I requested an ARC of The Fort as soon as I read Canadian historical fiction and I love the fact it's penned by a Canadian author based in BC. The setting is Fort Edmonton during the peak of the fur trade, with icy winters, fierce voyageurs, and that tug between English and French Canadian.
Abigail Williams is a fascinating character. A single mum fleeing scandal in England, she arrives at Fort Edmonton hoping to restart her life as a blacksmith. There’s the earnest officer Henry, the rugged Métis trapper Gabriel, and even a roommate with ties to Marie-Anne Lagimodière (an actual early female pioneer in the fur trade) to add some spark.

Lee carefully blended historical detail and emotional depth. The harshness and beautiful Canada’s wilderness was described vividly, I even felt the chill during this recent heat wave.

Yes, some might question how plausible a British woman blacksmith fits into an early 1800s fur fort life, but Lee leans into that with inventive storytelling that made it totally plausible.

All in all, if you enjoy vivid and immersive Canadian historical fiction featuring strong female leads, moral dilemmas, and a sweeping wilderness backdrop, The Fort is a solid pick. Lee’s Canadian roots give the story authenticity and her pacing keeps the plot moving.

My thanks to Rising Action for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

The Fort is a well-researched and well-written historical fiction. It’s well-written in the fact that we aren’t bogged down in facts and figures, as some historical fiction tends to do. We can understand that the book is set in the early 1800s, and that life isn’t easy; yet, we are still able to find the characters relatable. Abigail wants to do what is right for her father and her son. Henry is trying to keep up appearances. Gabriel wants to live a life of his choosing, even if that goes against what others expect.

Another remarkable aspect of the story is the discussion of the expectations placed on women in the era in which the book is set. A woman’s place was traditionally in the home, where she took care of her family and household. Abigail understands that, but has also learned a trade to help support her family. Several of the men in the very masculine cast are surprised to learn she knows blacksmithing and is a talented smith in her own right.

My biggest issue with the book is the lack of female characters. There are a few at the fort, and a couple of others appear in other circumstances. While I understand the setting is very male-dominated, and that there would have been only a handful of women in the forts, it feels like the cast is lacking.

Overall, I enjoyed reading The Fort. Who do I think it would be perfect for? Anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction with medium stakes. Or anyone who enjoys reading books set in a period and location that is not the normal historical fiction.

This single mom overcomes unthinkable odds just to save her son. Reading this book was amazing, the descriptions and details made me feel like I was really back in the 1800s living in the fort and hunting in the woods. The tragedy just kept coming and this women kept fighting. I could identify with so much of her sheer determination. This is what I did as a single mom and I never gave up
Definitely recommend
Thank you NetGalley, publishers and Christy Lee

I really enjoyed this story! I could not put it down as I was just so invested in Abby's journey. Lee's writing style is simple and easy to follow, but offers a ton of historical detail that I appreciated as a Canadian history nerd. Set in the early 1800s in Western Canada, Abby must do her best to survive as a single mom working as a blacksmith in male-dominated HBC and NWC forts. Multiple men compete for her attention, but in the end, she must do what's best for her future. It's a historical romance, but also a story of survival and resilience.

I wish the story was a bit longer. Some things were glossed over much too quickly - like Abby's labour at the end?? Like what?? I had to reread to see if I missed anything - and I wish there was more detail about the Indigenous peoples in the story, although they were portrayed in a very positive light. I also know that while Abby's situation was the reality of single women coming to the Canadian frontier, I hated that all the women talked about was men. I don't think this book passes the Bechdel test haha. The more I think about the things I didn't love, the more I want to lower my rating. But overall, the vibes were great, the story was fast-paced, and I could not stop reading.

In this exciting novel which takes place in the early nineteenth in the Canadian wilderness we will explore the tale of one woman's survival in order to create not only a better life for herself but also for her son as well.
Our main character Abigail has recently arrived from England with her father and her son from an illict love affair. She helps her father in his blacksmith job which is quite unusual for this time period. With this new location she longs to find a husband so her son can have a father. She is first persued by an Englishman Henry who turns out to be controlling. however, she is drawn to Frenchman Gabriel who seems to understand her better.
With a unexpected turn of events Gabriel has to leave to attend to business in France. Then out of nowhere someone from Abigail's past shows up and Henry still feeling sour from being jilted seems to be making things miserable for Abigail. Concerned for her son's safety Abigail and her son decide to leave the Fort to go somewhere safer. However, with all the hardships of the journey Abigail fears she will never see Gabriel again. However, unknown to her love will always find a way back.
Overall this was a very sweet novel and I was indeed sad that it ended but at least it ended happily and that is what matters.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

I really loved this book so much. I felt so close to the main character Abby in so many ways. This book made me cry tears of grief and joy. I highly recommend.

I had a personal reason for wanting to read this new novel, since my family heritage includes Scottish fur traders posted at Fort Edmonton, where most of the action takes place. The young single mother Abby certainly has her share of difficulties, especially where men are concerned, but she faces all her challenges with sheer grit. I appreciated the level of historical detail — for example, the description of portaging boats overland between bodies of water is very compelling. I had a real sense of time and place while reading this book. It contributes yet another piece of the puzzle to our mostly forgotten Canadian history. Congratulationsto the author, and thank you to Netgalley for an Advance Reading Copy.

Talk about a moving story. This book makes all your emotions run wild. I loved this story so much. Abby is such a strong amazing person and I loved her story. Abby finds friends in every part of her life and they help her achieve the life she dreams about. If you like historical stories about a strong woman who isn't the society norm, then this book is for you.

The well-written historical fiction of the early 19th century in Canada. I've never read any fur trading before.

I remember that well made movie about coke commercial rivalry history; Coca Cola & Pepsi. The movie was so iconic and I think this book has that resemblance to the movie—with absolutely different backdrops. The fur trading history, which turns out features the commercial rivalry between Hudson's Bay Company and The North West Company. By today I acknowledged that indigenous people took the most important role in the fur trade...

I like how the author wrote the main character as a mother with an unusual job for women. Realistically shows injustice right in the society towards women, which somehow women would carry all the blame; fault; shame; scandal; disgrace etc. Abby fought for it on behalf of her son and beloved father, for her dear life, month by month to seek for a new shelter to live in. Not to discard my incredulous feeling about her pesky trait in her own love life, a little bit hard to find her lovable in the romance part. Prolly bearable to fathom why loyalty isn't a sacred thing at that time or at least in the story backdrops—yet more mature, acceptance, understanding and such. I finally got it midway about Abby vaguely thought and felt she was hard to love or to be loved, she's a mother after all. She's been throughout the tough journey and all the prejudice she got, all the disgrace in her burdens.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I really enjoyed this one (just as I enjoyed the author's first novel too!). It was a charming quick-paced read with really relatable and interesting characters, and a story arc that is both really fun/adventurous as well as heart wrenching.

While I don't read a lot of historical fiction—I often find the worldbuilding feels too much like homework—this author's books are ones I will continue to read for as long as she is publishing. She is able to worldbuild in a way that feels natural to the prose and never feels like too much, even for me, and her character's are so easy to love. The writing is quick-paced and enjoyable, and I truly enjoyed following along with Abby as she made her journey throughout historical Canada. I also really loved how the story doesn't turn out to be how you expect it might from the beginning—there are some great surprises in this little novel.

5/5 stars, definitely recommend especially for those who like historical fiction or are curious about trying the genre out.