This is an historical fiction novel that takes place in the 1840's and 1850's. It is about Maria, a German immigrant to the U.S. who became an indentured servant to pay for her parents' (who both died on the ship) and her passage. She ends up with a master who won't give her her freedom, but decides to have a baby by her. Maria escapes, but the "master" pays big money to anyone who will return her. She meets Hank who helps her and, eventually, they marry. Maria and Hank join the LDS church and come to Utah after many harrowing experiences, but the bad guy is still after them. I learned a lot about the indentured servant system, about the Mississippi saints who came to Utah, and about church history. Jean Holbrook Mathews did her homework, I'll grant her that the story was well researched and she knew her history. Guess it helps having a BS and Masters in History too bad they're no help at all in telling an entertaining story.I mean, really, how many slave owners in American History would go to so much trouble tracking one woman clear across the country even all the way to Utah? There was so much in this book that disgusted me. I quickly grew tired of every hot blooded male who looked at Maria attempted to rape her while we could always count on good old Hank to come swinging in from the rafters and save the day. Every time. Too bad it took till page 279 to kill him off.
What do You think about Escape To Zion (2010)?
I didn't know about the metif slaves and learned a lot about this in the book. Enjoyed it very much.
—Micah
Cute romance with an end I wasn't predicting.
—asdfgh
