Review: The Winds and the Waves by Dean Hughes

Book Description:

Will Lewis is stuck. The class system in England in the 1840s seems destined to keep him in his place as a poor tenant farmer who cannot improve his lot and will never be able to marry the woman he loves. But the "new religion" that is sweeping through congregations of the United Brethren, Will's church, may hold the key to the better life he longs for. As he listens to the preaching of Wilford Woodruff, he almost dares to hope for the Zion the young Apostle describes.

Will's struggles to believe and to face the rigors of immigrating to an unknown land are paralleled by the modern-day story of Jeff and Abby, a young married couple facing challenges of their own. When Jeff begins digging into his family history, he finds himself particularly drawn to "Grandpa Lewis," an ancestor whose life was more like his than he would have imagined.

The skillful interweaving of these two stories brings Church history to life while demonstrating how much we can learn from those who went before us. Anyone who has ever faced the winds and the waves, in some form, will love this novel.

Review:

I enjoy historical fiction and was excited to receive The Winds and the Waves for review.

The cover art for this book is incredible! It is very fitting with the story, and eye catching-definitely something I'd pick up in a book store.

I didn't devour this book, finding it a bit slow at times (especially the modern-day chapters). But that could have at least been partially due to the hectic summer I've had. I was very interested in Will and Liz's story, and near the end of the book I started becoming more attached to all of the characters and their stories.

The conditions for tenant farmers and life for the lower classes in the cities was so sad. The journey across the ocean and on to Nauvoo sounded so miserable. Books like this are a great reminder to count your blessings!

Near the end of the book a steamboat pilot is talking to Will about ladders, and looking down on people. I liked the idea about the ladder-not looking down on people who don't have the gospel.

The story left off in a good way, and I was grateful to have the next book in the series waiting for me so I could continue on with Will, Liz, Abby and Jeff's stories.

About the Author:

Dean Hughes has published books for readers of all ages, including the bestselling historical fiction series Children of the Promise. Through Cloud and Sunshine is his one-hundredth published book. Dean holds a bachelor’s degree from Weber State University and master’s and PhD degrees from the University of Washington. He has taught English at Central Missouri State University and Brigham Young University. Dean and his wife, Kathleen Hurst Hughes, served a mission to Nauvoo, Illinois. The parents of three children and grandparents of nine, they live in Midway, Utah.

Facebook Author Page

Title: The Winds and the Waves (Come to Zion Volume 1)
Author: Dean Hughes
Publisher: Deseret Book
Published: 2012
ISBN: 1609070585
FTC FYI: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Deseret Book | Seagull Book