🏔️ “A View Most Glorious” (American Wonders Collection #3) (2021) 🏔️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: American Wonders Collection (Book #3)
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Revell (October 5, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800736419
ISBN-13: 978-0800736415
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Reluctant socialite Coraline Baxter longs to live a life of significance and leave her mark on the world. When her local suffragette group asks her to climb Mount Rainier to raise awareness of their cause, she jumps at the chance, even though she has absolutely no climbing experience. If she can do it, any woman can do it. And after her mother issues an ultimatum--that Cora marry the man of her mother's choosing if she is not successful--Cora must do it. But she can't do it alone.
Noted mountain guide Nathan Hardee initially refuses to help Cora, but has a change of heart when he sees what is at stake. He knows enough about the man Cora's mother has chosen to know that the headstrong young woman should have nothing to do with him, much less marry him.
Climbing Rainier will require all of Cora's fortitude and will lead her and Nathan to rediscover their faith in God and humanity. These two loners make unlikely partners in righting a wrong and may just discover that only together is the view most glorious.”
Thank you in advance to publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books), for providing a complimentary review copy of the book through the author’s launch team. A positive review was definitely not required or requested in any way; all words are my own.
First off, I want to note that it was the first book of this series, A Distance Too Grand (2019) that piqued my curiosity with Historical Fiction. As a result, I’ve read quite a bit in that genre (the time period this is set in, Civil War, Regency, WWII). Credit to Scott for writing such a book that drew me to a “second” favorite genre.
I absolutely loved the first book and requested to be a reviewer for future releases in the series. That left me eagerly awaiting the second book, Nothing Short of Wondrous (2020) which was absolutely stellar. And, this book? I knew it would be the conclusion to the AMERICAN WONDERS COLLECTION, and while I will definitely miss this series, I HAD to read this one. And, aren't all those covers absolutely gorgeous??
For those who haven’t read them, Scott takes the readers through the now famous parks:
🏔️ A Distance Too Grand (Grand Canyon, 1871) – #1
🏔️ Nothing Short of Wondrous (Yellowstone, 1886) – #2
🏔️ A View Most Glorious (Mt. Rainier, 1893) – #3
None of the books are connected by characters or locations. There is no mention of anyone from the prior books. These are definitely standalones. The only commonality is the theme – National Parks.
This has a LOT more in the way of historical content in it than the previous two books. Character-wise? I have a deep, special fondness for book #1 namely due to a character name (Benjamin Coleridge. If you’ve seen Charmed (1998), you get the reference).
But, overall, in the story category – this was definitely my favorite. That’s not to say the other two books were “less than”, both – like this one – were five (5) star reads.
A View Most Glorious has historical figures such as Fay Fuller (the first woman to summit Mt. Rainier; age 20) and So-To-Lick “Indian Henry” making significant appearances. Also, there is a Longmire family and even the mention of Philemon Van Trump who ascended the mountain in 1870. This truly brings the story to life and gives me background I didn’t even know. These could’ve been created characters but were written so well, were I not an investigate type, I wouldn’t have looked them up.
Like its predecessors, A View Most Glorious has a gorgeous cover! It, very slightly, pales in comparison to the second book.
Just as in her other books, Scott adds some realism to this one:
📖 Women’s Suffrage (the right to vote; denied in 1854 and 1871; passed in 1883, overturned; finally passed in Washington state 1910, federally 1920)
📖 The Panic of 1893 (much like the depression some 30 years later)
📖 Debate on the mountain’s name – Tacoma, Tahoma, Rainier (In 1890, the United States Board on Geographic Names declared that the mountain would be known as Rainier; there was still a movement to change the mountain's name to Tacoma and Congress was still considering a resolution to change the name as late as 1924)
📖 Lobbying of making Rainier a national park (would later pass in 1899)
📖 One brief incident of “domestic violence”
Her fictional characters are as complicated as the task that lay before them:
🔵 Coraline (Cora) – wants to climb Rainier for two reasons. One is personal
🔵 Nathan – guide that Winston hires to help his step-daughter up Rainier
🔵 Cora’s mother – impossible woman who feels her daughter could do better by marrying in society, namely …
🔵 Cash Kincaid – has his eyes set on Cora, not as he appears
🔵 Stephen “Winston” – Cora’s step-father, her mother’s second husband
🔵 Waldo – stand in father for Nathan
🔵 Mimi – part of the Tacoma Suffragette group
Along with other support characters throughout the book.
The real characters were portrayed so realistically and authentically, they practically came to life:
🔵 Fay Fuller – the first woman to summit Rainier, age 20, school teacher, later a journalist (died at age 88, 1958)
🔵 So-to-Lick/“Indian Henry” – skilled mountain guide who led James Longmire, John Muir, and many other early climbing parties to Mount Rainier; died in 1895.
Scott definitely captured the realistic personalities of Fuller and Henry that I would almost guess with 100% certainty she used the same resources I found.
Told from Coraline (Cora) and Nathan’s POV, the story starts in Tacoma 1893. Not only is Cora looking to bring some exposure to the suffragette movement, she’s also trying to refuse the advances of a tyrant.
Nathan doesn’t want to take some society girl up the mountain – that is until he learns that he would be saving her from the likes of Cash Kincaid. A man that Nathan has a grudge with. It is Cora’s step-father, Winston, who persuades Nathan to help.
Cora clashes with her mother about this and Kincaid – he’s smarmy from the beginning. It is clear he has an agenda. And, Cora also knows his character, or lack of it.
Nathan has his own history with society and is glad he is out of it. He recounts the past as he is forced to wait for Cora. At one point, Nathan and Waldo are at the theater and Cora’s mother is horrified at them being there.
Nathan is being realistic about the journey, Winston will support Cora, Cora’s mother is determined to force her way, and Kincaid is pretty good at being smarmy.
Eventually, Cora gears up to go. One of the funniest, and slightly recurring moments, is when Cora’s mother decides to go. Every time she is told no to something or of adverse conditions, she wants Nathan fired.
Cora gets a little encouragement from Fay Fuller who ascended the summit in 1890, some three (3) years earlier. She tells Cora of her secret weapon – her clothing choice: flannel underwear, a thick flannel bloomer suit – definitely deemed immodest for the times.
It is clear to Nathan – Cora has to succeed to secure her freedom, and future.
After some trial runs and shopping – Cora is ready to go. Her mother then insists on tagging along. And, Kincaid is there at almost every single turn.
Nathan’s plan and journey is complicated and full of danger. Yet, he feels confident in Cora’s abilities. She now has to learn to follow his orders. She doesn’t follow any orders.
Each bit of the journey is filled with new people, accidents, and a determination. Cora is even warming up to friendship with “Nathan”. And, he wonders, off and on, what it would be like with Cora. And, she does listen to him.
Scott beautifully described the scenic views as well as the harsh realities of the journey and location.
Cora wasn’t “more” from her life and when situations to help present themselves, Cora steps in. She’s also noticing that despite all the suitors her mother has brought her way, including Kincaid, none make her feel the way Nathan does.
Along the journey, they meet people who have settled in the area. The Longmires remark about Rainier becoming a national park and want to see it because of the protection it brings – much like Yellowstone (book #2 setting) and Yosemite.
Her mother, seeing how determined her daughter is, begs her not to go. But, knowing what is at stake – Cora sets her mind to the journey.
Eventually those they encounter begin to see something between Nathan and Cora – Waldo, Henry, and Winston (who offers to put in a good word for him).
Though Cora is faced with a choice when it appears Winston might not be able to make the journey – face marriage to a tyrant, or risk her reputation by going it alone with Nathan.
Just when Cora things she has “settled” the deal – something confronts her in the face and jeopardizes her future with Nathan in a plot point I didn’t expect. Nor did I expect the person behind it.
Kincaid is determined to “win” Cora. At one point there is a discussion of bettering oneself which is good, destroying others to do it is bad. He doesn’t know that Cora knows the truth about him.
After a mistake, scandal also threatens Cora’s mother and step-father which forces her to re-think her own future. The author definitely had me going in circles on that one.
Scott’s attention to historical details is stellar. Her often witty, charming, and realistic dialogue; descriptive phrasing; engaging style; and relatively short chapters makes this a breeze to read. I was absolutely delighted from the first page until the last. The book gets the title from something Nathan tells Cora on page 134 at the end of chapter 11.
This book was as HUGE and epic as the mountain it was about – majestic, beautiful, stunning, glorious, and dramatic. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down – at least I didn’t want to. Scott knows how to pull the reader in the scene.
I loved that although Winston was Cora’s step-father (her second one), he seemed to care more for her and her happiness than her mother. In fact, it isn’t until nearly the end when something happens to Cora that her mother sees what she should’ve seen and turns to support her daughter.
At one point Cora muses that time spent with Kincaid left her feeling as if she needed a bath and is it bad I laughed?
One thing that is not mentioned or covered in the book – Rainier is also a stratovolcano listed as active. “While Mount Rainier’s last eruptive period was about 1,000 years ago, Mount Rainier is considered an active volcano and will have future eruptions” – National Park Service.
Those who enjoy historical fiction with some elements of realism, as well as those who read the first two books, are certain to cherish this offering.
Any future series, like this, that the author writes – I’m definitely looking forward to reading. It is a shame this one has to end – there are other parks, even where I live (hint, hint).
Since this is distributed by Revell, a primarily Christian/faith-themed publishers; there will be references to God, bible passages, and prayers. These are not intertwined with the plot but rather demonstrated by Nathan and Cora. It is not done in a preachy manner.
Additional reading (which I HIGHLY encourage):
THE PANIC OF 1893 The Northwest Economy Unravelled as the “Gilded Age” Came to a Close By J. Kingston Pierce COLUMBIA The Magazine of Northwest History, Winter 1993-94: Vol. 7, No. 4 (https://www.washingtonhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/07-4_Pierce-1.pdf)
Fay Fuller – First Woman to Summit Mt. Rainier (https://visitrainier.com/fay-fuller-first-woman-to-summit-mt-rainier/)
Indian Henry (So-To-Lick) (https://visitrainier.com/indian-henry-so-to-lick/)
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – BookBub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Other books in the series:
Series: American Wonders Collection (Book 1)
Captain Ben Coleridge would like nothing more than to leave without the woman who broke his heart, but he refuses to wait even one more day to get started. This survey is a screen for another, more personal mission, one he cannot share with any member of his team.
As dangers arise from all sides, including within the survey party, Meg and Ben must work together to stay alive, fulfill their duties, and, just maybe, rekindle a love that neither had completely left behind.”
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Revell (October 20, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800736400
ISBN-13: 978-0800736408
“It is 1886, and the government has given the US Cavalry control of Yellowstone. For widowed hotelier Kate Tremaine, the change is a welcome one. She knows every inch of her wilderness home like the back of her hand and wants to see it protected from poachers and vandals.
Refused a guide by Congress, Lieutenant William Prescott must enlist Kate's aid to help him navigate the sprawling park and track down the troublemakers. But a secret from his past makes him wary of the tender feelings the capable and comely widow raises in him. As they work together to protect the park and stand firm through injustice and tragedy, they may just find that two wounded hearts can share one powerful love when God is in control.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Regina Scott is the author of more than fifty works of warm, witty historical romance, including A Distance Too Grand--named one of the top ten romances of 2020 by Booklist--and Nothing Short of Wondrous. She was twice awarded the prestigious RT Book Reviews best book of the year in her category. A devotee of history, she has learned to fence, driven four-in-hand, and sailed on a tall ship, all in the name of research. She and her husband of thirty years live south of Tacoma, Washington, on the way to Mt. Rainier.
You can follow her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorreginascott
Website: http://www.reginascott.com/
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