[Review] AT THE MOUNTAIN'S EDGE by Genevieve Graham

Source: Received an ARC from S&S Canada / Purchased copy from Indigo.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: April 2, 2019
Number of Pages: 368 (Paperback)

DESCRIPTION

From bestselling author Genevieve Graham comes a sweeping new historical novel of love, tragedy, and redemption set during the height of the Klondike Gold Rush.

In 1897, the discovery of gold in the desolate reaches of the Yukon has the world abuzz with excitement, and thousands of prospectors swarm to the north seeking riches the likes of which have never been seen before.

For Liza Peterson and her family, the gold rush is a chance for them to make a fortune by moving their general store business from Vancouver to Dawson City, the only established town in the Yukon. For Constable Ben Turner, a recent recruit of the North-West Mounted Police, upholding the law in a place overrun with guns, liquor, prostitutes, and thieves is an opportunity to escape a dark past and become the man of integrity he has always wanted to be. But the long, difficult journey over icy mountain passes and whitewater rapids is much more treacherous than Liza or Ben imagined, and neither is completely prepared for the forbidding north.

As Liza’s family nears the mountain’s peak, a catastrophe strikes with fatal consequences, and not even the NWMP can help. Alone and desperate, Liza finally reaches Dawson City, only to find herself in a different kind of peril. Meanwhile, Ben, wracked with guilt over the accident on the trail, sees the chance to make things right. But just as love begins to grow, new dangers arise, threatening to separate the couple forever.

Inspired by history as rich as the Klondike’s gold, At the Mountain’s Edge is an epic tale of romance and adventure about two people who must let go of the past not only to be together, but also to survive.

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REVIEW

I've said it before and I'll continue to say it, I absolutely love Genevieve Graham's historical fictions! Not only do I love her writing style, as it always quickly pulls me into the story, but I also love the events that she chooses to write about! Historical fiction is often centred around similar locations and time periods, but Genevieve always brings a fresh perspective and piece of history into her stories, especially with her focus being on Canadian history. She's written about both World Wars, the Acadian Expulsion, the Halifax Explosion...and now, the Klondike Gold Rush!

I've been excited about At the Mountain's Edge since I heard about it ages ago, and you know what...it was completely worth the wait! Before I read it, I was so excited to see a historical fiction about the Gold Rush...especially since it also features a male lead who's a Mountie! I don't know about you, but I have never read a historical fiction featuring a Mountie, nor any book that features the Gold Rush...until now, and I have to say, I absolutely LOVED it! As soon as I finished, I immediately hugged the book to myself! It had me giddy, it had me crying...it had me swooning, and I could not put it down! I loved Liza and Ben so much!😭

Let me tell you a bit about it! At the Mountain’s Edge is centred around the Klondike Gold Rush. The chapters alternate between Liza and Ben. Liza Peterson’s family is moving their store to Dawson City in order to cash in on discovery of gold in the Yukon, and Constable Ben Turner is a recent recruit to the North-West Mounted Police who is tasked with keeping the prospectors and people of the Yukon safe. It follows both of their journeys to Dawson City, and it also shows them coming together...and it was absolutely wonderful. There was a lot of tragedy in this story...so many people were vastly unprepared for the journey to the Yukon during the Gold Rush, but it was also full of heart and the history was so fascinating!

Overall, I loved At the Mountain's Edge! I love Genevieve Graham’s writing style, and I also really love how she always introduces me to new sides of Canadian history. I was familiar with the Gold Rush, but everything to do with the Mounties was totally new for me...and I loved learning about it! At the Mountain’s Edge was not only a beautiful story with tragic and lovely moments, it was also an eye-opener for me when it comes to another side of Canada’s history. As always, thank you for sharing your research with us readers, Genevieve!

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