This was a gritty, intense novel filled with violence, raw ambition, and the harsh realities of racism and sexism inter and intra-culturally among the Indians and English alike.. McGuire writes unapologetically, exploring the extreme lengths men would go to in pursuit of wealth. Throughout the book, I felt a constant undercurrent of masculinity—his characters and their actions felt strikingly real and tangible. While the novel touches on a deeper philosophical question—are our lives driven by destiny or shaped by free will—it primarily tells a brutal story of the Indian-English trade, the extreme conditions of the time, and the ruthless will to survive.

I would recommend this to anyone interested in trade of the 1700s Hudson Bay Company, as the book not only gives the perspective of the white men but also of the native men and women. This book is both a solid story and an interesting look into a historical period. Ian McGuire used a lot of historical sources to help build this story and you can feel the effort in the way the story is written, it feels genuine and engaging. This is not surprising considering McGuire's other chosen topics for novels, and it is nice to know he can walk the line between historical accuracy and captive storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book, I am leaving this review of my own choice.

Whoa. This was a gritty, intense novel filled with violence, raw ambition, and the harsh realities of racism and sexism inter and intra-culturally among the Indians and English alike.. McGuire writes unapologetically, exploring the extreme lengths men would go to in pursuit of wealth. Throughout the book, I felt a constant undercurrent of masculinity—his characters and their actions felt strikingly real and tangible. While the novel touches on a deeper philosophical question—are our lives driven by destiny or shaped by free will—it primarily tells a brutal story of the Indian-English trade, the extreme conditions of the time, and the ruthless will to survive.

This is a fascinating blend of fiction and history set in the winter of 1766. The story begins with a well-planned yet secret mission to obtain gold from the far north. Magnus Norton, the manager of a trading post in northern Canada, is shown a rock containing gold veins. He learns that there is an abundance of gold to be found in Ox Lake, further north, and becomes consumed by the prospect of great wealth.
Driven by his ambitions, Norton assembles a diverse group of men for the journey, including Shaw, a cruel and rough character, and Hearn, who is intelligent and honest but has no interest in the gold; he views the expedition as an adventure. Several Indigenous guides join the group, adding depth and authenticity to their journey.
As expected, the expedition is fraught with adversity and hardship, leading to disagreements among the men and even death. The story is a captivating exploration of resilience and ambition, featuring a cast of interesting and memorable characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this. Great characterization, full of suspense and adventure. McGuire really pulls you into the story, and I loved that he gives the reader some interesting background to set the scene for the story. I was shivering along with the men tromping around the frozen terrain. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a gripping historical fiction read.

Thank you NetGalley and Crown Publishing for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

This was an interesting historical fiction. It was a bit boring at times for me. The characters had great depth and backstory. They felt real with their flaws. The dialogue felt natural. The setting was eerie and desolate. I recommend this if you enjoy historical fiction. I think calling it a thriller does it a disservice but it was thick with suspense and the ending was surprising

Oh, this is a perfect example of best laid plans gone astray, what goes around comes around and what lies, and cheating will get you.
This is a great read, you take an adventure with a group of 6 to go north to find gold but you want the mission to stay quiet. The writing is great, poetic in fact and the descriptions make you feel as if you are with them on the voyage.
We meet several memorable characters, Hearn and Shaw are the men chosen to lead the team. Both are a bit odd, and then several Indians are hired to lead the way. Each has a story to tell, and the author does not disappoint. The Indian superstitions are a great part of the tale too which adds depth.
I found this to be a high 5 star read and I truly enjoyed the story.
This is my own opinion expressed in this review. Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing.

4..5 stars raised to 5. Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishers for this much-appreciated ARC.
White River Crossing is a gripping, fictional historical adventure set in the wilderness around Hudson Bay. Trading Posts had been established in the sub-Arctic Canadian area to obtain furs by trading with the northern Indian tribes and the Inuit (Eskimos). The book evokes the language and attitudes of the time, and their names for the indigenous people are now considered politically incorrect. At the time, the British considered the native people to be inferior, primitive, pagan and treacherous. Britain was involved in expanding its empire by seizing indigenous ancestral land by treaty, deceit and force.

Magnus Norton is the manager of the trading post in the story. When a peddler shows them a rock containing valuable gold and tells them that much more is to be found further north at Ox Lake, Norton is overcome by thoughts of wealth.

He organizes a small group from the trading station to retrieve the gold. Three Englishmen are selected as prospectors. These include Shaw, a harsh and brutal man, Norton's nephew, and Hearn, a quiet intellectual who is level-headed and honest. He has no interest in the gold, but regards the journey as an adventure. There are Indian guides who act as servants. The trek to Ox Lake will be a strenuous one.

One of the native guides challenges a second to wrestle to win that man's wife. Shaw also gets involved in the combat and wins her for the night. This results in much resentment among the native men and dismay and anxiety for the girl. The English are unwelcome by the Indian and Eskimo groups they meet along the way. The tribes resent their superior attitude and power, considering them untrustworthy. They retrieve the gold after much hard physical work. Norton's nephew is killed, and Shaw is injured and loses an arm. The return trek is cold and exhausting. Winter is settling in. Shaw has not recovered from his injury and struggles to keep up.

Hearn has undergone a character transformation. Shaw dies, and Hearn returns alone to the trading post. Norton is dying. Hearn lies to him about recovering the gold, details about the expedition, and how Shaw died.
Norton appoints Hearn as the new chief of the post. Hearn was never ambitious, and his promotion is resented by most of the workers. Two native men who know secrets that Hearn is hiding set up camp near the trading post and refuse to leave. Hearn has ambitions to return to England and live in style. He orders the native men to leave, and chaos ensues.

The story transports the reader to the time and place. The characters are intriguing. Highly recommended for readers who like a compelling adventure story, even one that goes wrong. Vivid descriptions about the Canadian north and believable characters add to a captivating storyline. This exciting. book is scheduled for publication on February 24/2026.

I really enjoyed this one. The characters felt so vivid and real — flawed, human, and impossible to forget. The icy northern setting adds an eerie, tense atmosphere that pulls you right into their dangerous journey.

It’s not a comforting story, but it’s beautifully written and lingers with you long after. If you like historical fiction that explores the darker side of human nature, I definitely recommend it.

It's been a long time since I have read this type book, meaning the pioneer, Indian claiming the land etc type book.. But really it was quite good. I can tell you I was surprised at the ending but can't give a hint. You must ready for yourself. If you are hunting gold or treasure this is a great exciting book.