An ancient, long-buried evil has been unleashed upon the community, and its up to Archie Coomes and his friends to stop it before its too late. If you enjoy historical fiction, you should add this to your reading list.About the Book The adults in town are acting strangely. Where the Lost Wander is one of my favorite reads of the year thus far. Namely, the story opens with a tragedy, where the fate of the characters is left unclear, so you are motivated to keep reading in order to see not only what happens to the characters but also what events led up to the tragedy. It is also structured in such a way that your attention is retained throughout the book. Its use of a first-person narrative with dual points of view, John and Naomi, creates an immersive reading experience, in which we get to know both of the primary characters equally well. Where the Lost Wander is beautifully written and well-paced. They also have wonderful chemistry, which further endears them as a couple.īringing everything together is the book’s writing and structure. It was touching to see the evolution of their relationship from flirtation to the deep commitment that it is by the end of the book. With a White father and Pawnee mother, he has a foot in both worlds but never feels fully accepted by either.Īs a couple, John and Naomi strengthen and support one another. John is an equally interesting and complex character. When it comes to her relationship with John, she pays gender norms no mind and unabashedly pursues him. She is strong-willed, forthright, and intelligent. It was refreshing to see this exploration of the Indigenous experience, as too often, westerns either sideline or omit it.Ĭomplementing the story is a pair of well-penned and compelling protagonists, Naomi and John. We see how the movement West promises new beginnings for Whites but an ending to the way of life for Native Americans. In particular, the story explores the impact of westward migration on Native American tribes. The daily struggles of life in a wagon train are highlighted, as are the broader societal and cultural conflicts of the day.

With well-crafted and sensory descriptions, Harmon brings both the time period and location to life. Set in the mid-19th century, Where the Lost Wander transports you back in time to the height of the westward migration in the United States.

It is a story that will remain with you well after you turn the final page. The hardships and prejudices of the day are front and center, as are the hardiness and resilience of the characters. Where the Lost Wander is a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that breathes life into the past without romanticizing it. TLDR: A beautifully written historical novel.

Where the lost wander