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Threads West #3
Uncompahgre: Where Water Turns Rock Red
The Adventure and Romance of the America, her people, her spirit, and the West. This is our story.
Uncompahgre-where water turns rock red is the third book of the #1 bestselling, Threads West, An American Saga series, recipient of twenty five National Awards--Best Historical Fiction, Best Romance and Best Western! Compared by reviewers, authors and readers alike to Lonesome Dove, Centennial, and L'Amour. Called by some the " Gone with the Wind of the West," and applauded by others as "rings true and poignant, as authentic and moving as Dances with Wolves ."
In Uncompahgre , the time nears when the first of the next generation of Threads West characters will be born of the brave men and courageous women who have come so far and risked all. The men and women of the saga, having reached their initial destination, pre-Denver, Cherry Creek, are each faced with life-altering decisions. Some must decide to pursue or abandon torrid love affairs that have flowered on the dangerous journey from Europe and across America. Their lives shaken by events they could not foresee and convergence with souls they could never image, they begin to build a nation that's essence is in transition. They have neither country nor culture in common but their dreams and survival demand a tension filled emergence stitched by fate and history. The Oglala Sioux family struggles to cope with the inevitable change casting shadows upon their lands, culture and scared traditions. The elderly slave couple, and the renegade and his young, traumatized captive introduced in Maps of Fate , are bound ever more tightly to the arc of the story--their tragedy and triumph-filed tales weaving into the fabric of a collective destiny, the black-hearted captor unknowingly catapulted by his tortured past into possible redemption. Mormons stream west in the Great Exodus escaping persecution and searching for Zion. Driven north by the Texas Rangers, an outlaw vaquero with royal blood quests for a new sense of self and place.
The touchstones of the past are the guideposts to the future. U ncompahgre is the continuation of this tale of America. New lineages join the many threads of uncommon cultures, differing origins and competing ambitions that entwine into the American spirit. Lives and generations are woven on the loom of history, propelled by fate and freedom to form the tapestry that becomes the whole cloth of the nation. It is uniquely American, this meld of the mosaic.
You will recognize the characters who live in these pages.
They are the ancestors of your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, and your family.
They are you. They are us.
This is not only their story. It is our story.
It is Threads West, An American Saga.
In Book Four, Moccasin Tracks , releasing in 2014, the fires of future deadly tumult between the states has begun to sweep west. The Threads West characters who have journeyed so far race against an early, foreboding winter to establish their homestead, some preoccupied with the serious complications of their pregnancies, others compelled to follow the call of a separate path, but all united to fend off ever-present danger. The "resolution" of the "Indian Problem" is evolving. It will leave families and hearts broken, forever staining the pages of American history.
The decades of the Maps of Fate era novels of the Threads West book series become the crucible of the souls of generations, the building of the heart of the nation, the destiny of a people, and the relentless energy and beauty of the western landscape. This is the ongoing story of us.
Set in authentic locations in the jagged peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the life threads of the characters -- whose personalities are forged on the anvil of the land and shaped by life, love, struggle, death, failure and success. The textured, complex and conflicted lives of these five generations of diverse, independent men and women are the fabric of the American spirit.
Uncompahgre-where water turns rock red is the third book of the #1 bestselling, Threads West, An American Saga series, recipient of twenty five National Awards--Best Historical Fiction, Best Romance and Best Western! Compared by reviewers, authors and readers alike to Lonesome Dove, Centennial, and L'Amour. Called by some the " Gone with the Wind of the West," and applauded by others as "rings true and poignant, as authentic and moving as Dances with Wolves ."
In Uncompahgre , the time nears when the first of the next generation of Threads West characters will be born of the brave men and courageous women who have come so far and risked all. The men and women of the saga, having reached their initial destination, pre-Denver, Cherry Creek, are each faced with life-altering decisions. Some must decide to pursue or abandon torrid love affairs that have flowered on the dangerous journey from Europe and across America. Their lives shaken by events they could not foresee and convergence with souls they could never image, they begin to build a nation that's essence is in transition. They have neither country nor culture in common but their dreams and survival demand a tension filled emergence stitched by fate and history. The Oglala Sioux family struggles to cope with the inevitable change casting shadows upon their lands, culture and scared traditions. The elderly slave couple, and the renegade and his young, traumatized captive introduced in Maps of Fate , are bound ever more tightly to the arc of the story--their tragedy and triumph-filed tales weaving into the fabric of a collective destiny, the black-hearted captor unknowingly catapulted by his tortured past into possible redemption. Mormons stream west in the Great Exodus escaping persecution and searching for Zion. Driven north by the Texas Rangers, an outlaw vaquero with royal blood quests for a new sense of self and place.
The touchstones of the past are the guideposts to the future. U ncompahgre is the continuation of this tale of America. New lineages join the many threads of uncommon cultures, differing origins and competing ambitions that entwine into the American spirit. Lives and generations are woven on the loom of history, propelled by fate and freedom to form the tapestry that becomes the whole cloth of the nation. It is uniquely American, this meld of the mosaic.
You will recognize the characters who live in these pages.
They are the ancestors of your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, and your family.
They are you. They are us.
This is not only their story. It is our story.
It is Threads West, An American Saga.
In Book Four, Moccasin Tracks , releasing in 2014, the fires of future deadly tumult between the states has begun to sweep west. The Threads West characters who have journeyed so far race against an early, foreboding winter to establish their homestead, some preoccupied with the serious complications of their pregnancies, others compelled to follow the call of a separate path, but all united to fend off ever-present danger. The "resolution" of the "Indian Problem" is evolving. It will leave families and hearts broken, forever staining the pages of American history.
The decades of the Maps of Fate era novels of the Threads West book series become the crucible of the souls of generations, the building of the heart of the nation, the destiny of a people, and the relentless energy and beauty of the western landscape. This is the ongoing story of us.
Set in authentic locations in the jagged peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the life threads of the characters -- whose personalities are forged on the anvil of the land and shaped by life, love, struggle, death, failure and success. The textured, complex and conflicted lives of these five generations of diverse, independent men and women are the fabric of the American spirit.
447 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2012
48 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Reid Lance Rosenthal
20 books61 followersReid is fourth generation land and cattle, a rancher, and a multiple #1 bestselling author whose works have been honored with fifteen national awards. His cowboy heart and poet’s pen capture the spirit of the western landscape and its influence on generations of its settlers. His long-standing devotion to wild and remote places and to the people—both past and present—who leave their legend and footprint upon America and the American West, is the inspiration and descriptive underpinning of all of his writing.
“If your mind and spirit are seduced by images of windswept ridge tops, flutters of aspen leaves caressed by a canyon breeze and the crimson tendrils of dying sun…if your fingers feel the silken pulse of a lover and your lips taste the deep kisses of building desire…if nostrils flare with the conjured scents of gunpowder and perfume, sage brush and pine, and your ears delight in the murmur of river current…if your heart pounds at the clash of good and evil and with each twist and turn of interwoven lives you feel a primal throb, then I have accomplished my mission.”
~Reid Lance Rosenthal
Passion fuels each thrilling, history, action and romance-packed novel in this widely acclaimed five-generation epic series of the historical and contemporary American west. Threads West has been compared to L’Amour, and Centennial, and some call the series, the “Gone With The Wind of the West.”
“If your mind and spirit are seduced by images of windswept ridge tops, flutters of aspen leaves caressed by a canyon breeze and the crimson tendrils of dying sun…if your fingers feel the silken pulse of a lover and your lips taste the deep kisses of building desire…if nostrils flare with the conjured scents of gunpowder and perfume, sage brush and pine, and your ears delight in the murmur of river current…if your heart pounds at the clash of good and evil and with each twist and turn of interwoven lives you feel a primal throb, then I have accomplished my mission.”
~Reid Lance Rosenthal
Passion fuels each thrilling, history, action and romance-packed novel in this widely acclaimed five-generation epic series of the historical and contemporary American west. Threads West has been compared to L’Amour, and Centennial, and some call the series, the “Gone With The Wind of the West.”
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 2, 2014
“Uncompahgre: where water turns rock red” is the third book in the Threads West, An American Saga series by Reid Lance Rosenthal. I waited and waited for this book to be released and finally, it happened!! There are few authors who I can say, without a doubt, are born to write. Reid is one of those authors. Book three was more than worth the wait! I have been reading during every spare moment from the time it hit my mailbox and I finished the 480 pages last night, much to my disappointment. I wanted it to just keep going and going!
The characters in all three books are so well developed and described in such depth and detail that you get to know them as well as your best friends. Reuben, Johannes, Sarah, Rebecca, Zeb, Dot, Black Feather, Eagle Talon and Walks with Moon have become as much a part of my life as those friends. I look forward to renewing our relationship every time Reid releases each book in the series and I can’t wait for book four now!! Each book, starting with the first builds on the last—new conflicts and dangers, resolutions of nail biting story lines, big surprises—and always more intrigue to be resolved in the upcoming novels!
“Uncompahgre” is even better than the first two books if that is even possible. His descriptions of the characters and their emotions, the land and all it encompasses, and even the animals draw you into their world and do not let you go. It’s as if you’ve been magically transported into the past and into another life – one you don’t want to leave anytime soon. The series is a wonderful reminder of the diversity of the country and the strengths of the American spirit.
My only regret is that this book ended way too soon for my liking. I will be anxiously awaiting book four, “Moccasin Tracks” to continue this journey Reid is taking us all on; one of family, cultures (each form their own perspective) thrown together by history, heritage and a long lasting legacy.
The characters in all three books are so well developed and described in such depth and detail that you get to know them as well as your best friends. Reuben, Johannes, Sarah, Rebecca, Zeb, Dot, Black Feather, Eagle Talon and Walks with Moon have become as much a part of my life as those friends. I look forward to renewing our relationship every time Reid releases each book in the series and I can’t wait for book four now!! Each book, starting with the first builds on the last—new conflicts and dangers, resolutions of nail biting story lines, big surprises—and always more intrigue to be resolved in the upcoming novels!
“Uncompahgre” is even better than the first two books if that is even possible. His descriptions of the characters and their emotions, the land and all it encompasses, and even the animals draw you into their world and do not let you go. It’s as if you’ve been magically transported into the past and into another life – one you don’t want to leave anytime soon. The series is a wonderful reminder of the diversity of the country and the strengths of the American spirit.
My only regret is that this book ended way too soon for my liking. I will be anxiously awaiting book four, “Moccasin Tracks” to continue this journey Reid is taking us all on; one of family, cultures (each form their own perspective) thrown together by history, heritage and a long lasting legacy.
June 19, 2019
3 stars
This is a series of novels about the Old West and the white settling thereof. Please be aware that these books have many, many characters and that they are cliffhangers.
It is a pretty competent telling that begins in 1854. I must admit straight off that I personally would not have had the strength or courage to do what the characters in this book did.
I decided early on that I would review all three books in one review for there is much sameness in the books and I had a very hard time trying to come up with three differing reviews.
In the books we have wagon train travelers complete with travails and romance, mountain men trying to scratch out a living from pelts and living an isolated life, Native Americans fighting for their way of life, grownig tension between the Union and the South that errupts into war, differences of opinion based on cultural views, gamblers and ne'er-do-wells of all stripes.
These books were adequately written and plotted. (No barnburner...) Larry McMurtry Mr. Rosenthal is not. I am not sure why the two authors were so linked in the introductory blurbs.
I want to thank NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group/Rockin' SR Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of these books for me to read, enjoy and review.
This is a series of novels about the Old West and the white settling thereof. Please be aware that these books have many, many characters and that they are cliffhangers.
It is a pretty competent telling that begins in 1854. I must admit straight off that I personally would not have had the strength or courage to do what the characters in this book did.
I decided early on that I would review all three books in one review for there is much sameness in the books and I had a very hard time trying to come up with three differing reviews.
In the books we have wagon train travelers complete with travails and romance, mountain men trying to scratch out a living from pelts and living an isolated life, Native Americans fighting for their way of life, grownig tension between the Union and the South that errupts into war, differences of opinion based on cultural views, gamblers and ne'er-do-wells of all stripes.
These books were adequately written and plotted. (No barnburner...) Larry McMurtry Mr. Rosenthal is not. I am not sure why the two authors were so linked in the introductory blurbs.
I want to thank NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group/Rockin' SR Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of these books for me to read, enjoy and review.
March 8, 2014
I loved this 3rd book in this series. Can not wait to get my hands on the 4th!
May 21, 2019
I recently finished reading this series of books. I have to share that the last book was finished at a very relaxing beautiful home with an amazing scenery that complimented the finish of the series :-) Reading these books that stating that they are very well written is simply stating the obvious. One of the desires with reading for me is to be taken away - to be me part of the story or maybe one of the characters or both. I was diffentally taken away. The era of these books is one of my favorites. To read about the time in life that at times I wish I could have grown up in. The hardships they had to endure and we will never ever really truly experience was experienced. The purity of those times and loyalty to family and friends. I laughed, I cried, I was frustrated and sorry but some what upset. The death of Sara I was not prepared for. Still working on that forgiveness. I will get there but..... (Saying this with all smiles). I am patiently (saying that without grace) for the rest of the story to come out. I have a sense of the beginning of book 4 ~ looking forward to finding out out if I am right :-) Thank you Reid L. Rosenthal for your very talented and gifted writing style with all your details to many things I did I not know to our romantic side that as always touches a woman's heart. Especially this Dakota ladies heart.
July 3, 2019
This is the third book in this series, and I have enjoyed all of them. Set in the 1850s it follows a disparate group of people who, for various reasons, have chosen to move to the American West and make a new life.
The characters are interesting and fairly well rounded, although the author does tend to get engrossed in their romantic liaisons a little too much. The interplay of the new settlers and the Native Americans is touched upon. There is also a side-strand involving a couple of Negro slaves, which is not really developed during the books and appears rather extraneous to the tales. Maybe it all becomes clearer later, as I have now discovered this is not a trilogy, but actually has at least one more book in the series!
The books really need to be read in order to fully appreciate the back stories, although the author does repeat some key information for new readers.
Overall an enjoyable tale, following this group's adventures as they travel across the States to their new homes.
Thank you to NetGalley, Greenleaf Book Group and Rockin' SR Publishing for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The characters are interesting and fairly well rounded, although the author does tend to get engrossed in their romantic liaisons a little too much. The interplay of the new settlers and the Native Americans is touched upon. There is also a side-strand involving a couple of Negro slaves, which is not really developed during the books and appears rather extraneous to the tales. Maybe it all becomes clearer later, as I have now discovered this is not a trilogy, but actually has at least one more book in the series!
The books really need to be read in order to fully appreciate the back stories, although the author does repeat some key information for new readers.
Overall an enjoyable tale, following this group's adventures as they travel across the States to their new homes.
Thank you to NetGalley, Greenleaf Book Group and Rockin' SR Publishing for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 24, 2017
This is the third book in the series and I really enjoyed this one. I think I liked the second one a little bit more. I felt like it had a lot more going on and was fast paced, this one was a little bit slower. You really need to read the first two to fully understand and appreciate the story and character. After three books I've come to know these characters so well. I fee like if I met them in person we'd be great friends! I still think that some character's are way underdeveloped, like the runaway slaves. They could have so much more to them that I feel bad I haven't head much about their journey.
Overall, I am really loving this series. If your interested in this book, read the first two so you can really appreciate these character's and their stories. I'm sad it's taking so long for the 4th book to come out. I hope it's fairly soon while my mind is still fresh with all that is going on.
Overall, I am really loving this series. If your interested in this book, read the first two so you can really appreciate these character's and their stories. I'm sad it's taking so long for the 4th book to come out. I hope it's fairly soon while my mind is still fresh with all that is going on.
July 14, 2019
Reid Lance Rosenthal has out done himself. While I admit, the pace of the story is still a bit slow for my taste, the characters draw you into their lives in such a way that you feel as if they are friends of yours. This series really does need to be made into either a movie or television series, something where they can take their time showing the story and adventure that lives within these covers to even try to do them Justice. Book four should be coming out shortly, and I can hardly wait to see what the next installment has to offer. I feel like I'm actually missing a part of my family now that I am finished reading this series up to this point. Mr. Rosenthal is a truly remarkable, and talented Author.
August 23, 2019
In the third book of this series, our cast has made decisions that place them on collision courses with destiny, some good, some bad, some it is hard to decide. I have decided that these books remind me more of John Jakes family historical than Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove. Reid Lance Rosenthal obviously spent the time and effort to build his characters and his communities. His road to building dynasties in the west is so real, you feel you are there. There's no greater compliment to any book than to say "It pulled me in"
August 29, 2019
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is the third book in the Threads West series and follows the main characters from Cherry Creek almost to their settlements on Uncompahgre in their wagon train. This book covers more of the relationships between characters than the journey iself. Reuben and Rebecca become closer to planning a future together, Sarah has a possible new suitor, causing Zeb to be jealous. The story covers more on the Indian characters also.
Great western/romance/adventure book full of action and descriptions of beautiful scenery! I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
This is the third book in the Threads West series and follows the main characters from Cherry Creek almost to their settlements on Uncompahgre in their wagon train. This book covers more of the relationships between characters than the journey iself. Reuben and Rebecca become closer to planning a future together, Sarah has a possible new suitor, causing Zeb to be jealous. The story covers more on the Indian characters also.
Great western/romance/adventure book full of action and descriptions of beautiful scenery! I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
March 8, 2021
This is the third book in the Threads West Series. I very much enjoyed the continuation of the story line and following the characters on their journey to their new homestead, and look forward to reading the remaining books in the series. l highly recommend this series to all of those who enjoy historical fiction.
August 6, 2019
Have had this in my TBR list for quite a while. Now I know why it was on my list!! Looking forward to the next book in the series and will be going back and reading the first two books which I didn’t realize I also had.
November 21, 2018
Cherry Creek (Denver) to Pagosa Springs, in what I assume will take 10-12 volumes to reach a conclusion.
June 19, 2019
This is a good series with decent writing. This books are even paced to slow paced. There are several characters.
August 20, 2019
This was an enjoyable series, I liked the plot of all four books and the characters in them. Overall I thought these were a great western series.
January 14, 2021
Awesome western series
February 3, 2025
I do not read very often but this third book was so good I finished it in 2 days. Just like the two before it, these are great books with a great history and story line.
October 14, 2019
Book three in the Threads West series doesn't disappoint. The detailed vivid descriptions Rosenthal paints of the west are amazing and show a true understanding of the area. His characters are flawed and deeply dynamic. The story line is well thought out in how each person ties back to the main group from book 1. Amazing read.
August 19, 2024
Uncompahgre
“The adventure and romance of America, her people, her spirit, and the West. Threads West, An American Saga. This is our story”.
Reid Lance Rosenthal’s Trails West series has been compared to classics such as Centennial and Lonesome Dove, and has been awarded twenty-five national awards including Best Historical Fiction, Best Western, and Best Romance. The first book, Threads West is essentially a collection of short stories describing each of the main characters’ immigration to the United States. The book wraps up with all coming together in the same wagon train. Book two, Maps of Fate, depicts the wagon train’s journey to Cherry Creek (later renamed Denver, Colorado).
Uncompahgre: Where rock turns water red is the third book in the Trails West series. Uncompahgre begins with an introduction, thoughts from the author, and a biography of the primary and secondary characters in each of the first three books which I found to be quite useful.
The book begins with the wagon train having arrived in Cherry Creek and breaks up as the emigrants go their separate ways. Aside from a rich variety of subplots, the book follows three general storylines. The first follows a group of emigrants -Rebecca, Rueben, Johannes, and Sarah who are led by the mountain man, Zeb to Uncompahgre. The second follows a band of renegades who captured a young girl, Dot from the wagon train, and the third recounts the escape of Israel and Lucy, married slaves who have escaped, and all are headed for the Uncompahgre.
Johannes and Rueben are able to purchase 300 head of cattle with the intent of starting a cattle ranch and hire Philippe, a known cattle rustler, and Michael, a boy from a destitute family. While driving the cattle to Uncompahgre, Zeb leads them to a large Ute village and out of respect, obtains their permission to start their ranch at Uncompahgre, although the land has already been deeded to Rueben.
Zeb arranges the shaman to marry Rueben and Rebecca, but after finding Sarah and Philippe together, leaves for his cabin at Uncompahgre.
Reid Lance Rosenthal states that he is driven to capture the visual, and memorialize the singular passion of our individual paths merging to form the shared trail of our American spirit. If that is his goal, then his books have surpassed it.
Reid writes from the experience of a fourth generation rancher. His understanding and appreciation of the West clearly evident, his love and respect for the land, the people, and the animals that live upon it are richly described. I found myself experiencing the daily life of these people from a different perspective than the many Westerns I have read.
Through their daily lives, we see, for example, how possessions are organized inside a wagon, what do you bring and what you leave behind. How you wash, clean, cook and eat. Negotiating the purchase of cattle and driving them across a roadless landscape. Justifying the murder of innocent people to satiate your need for revenge. Struggling to comprehend why these “hairy-faced” newcomers slaughter of bison, leaving stripped of their skins and their meat left to rot while you struggle to find food. Or why they commit unwonted murder.
For such a large cast, there is no muddling of characters or events, as Reid keeps the characters distinct and the intertwining story lines clear. The characters in Reid’s books become your friends and your enemies, and I found myself drawn into the intimate life of each person, seeing the world through the eyes of both protagonist and antagonist alike.
I highly recommend Uncompahgre: Where rock turns water red and the Trails West series, which should be read in order as each book builds upon the previous in one continuous saga.
“The adventure and romance of America, her people, her spirit, and the West. Threads West, An American Saga. This is our story”.
Reid Lance Rosenthal’s Trails West series has been compared to classics such as Centennial and Lonesome Dove, and has been awarded twenty-five national awards including Best Historical Fiction, Best Western, and Best Romance. The first book, Threads West is essentially a collection of short stories describing each of the main characters’ immigration to the United States. The book wraps up with all coming together in the same wagon train. Book two, Maps of Fate, depicts the wagon train’s journey to Cherry Creek (later renamed Denver, Colorado).
Uncompahgre: Where rock turns water red is the third book in the Trails West series. Uncompahgre begins with an introduction, thoughts from the author, and a biography of the primary and secondary characters in each of the first three books which I found to be quite useful.
The book begins with the wagon train having arrived in Cherry Creek and breaks up as the emigrants go their separate ways. Aside from a rich variety of subplots, the book follows three general storylines. The first follows a group of emigrants -Rebecca, Rueben, Johannes, and Sarah who are led by the mountain man, Zeb to Uncompahgre. The second follows a band of renegades who captured a young girl, Dot from the wagon train, and the third recounts the escape of Israel and Lucy, married slaves who have escaped, and all are headed for the Uncompahgre.
Johannes and Rueben are able to purchase 300 head of cattle with the intent of starting a cattle ranch and hire Philippe, a known cattle rustler, and Michael, a boy from a destitute family. While driving the cattle to Uncompahgre, Zeb leads them to a large Ute village and out of respect, obtains their permission to start their ranch at Uncompahgre, although the land has already been deeded to Rueben.
Zeb arranges the shaman to marry Rueben and Rebecca, but after finding Sarah and Philippe together, leaves for his cabin at Uncompahgre.
Reid Lance Rosenthal states that he is driven to capture the visual, and memorialize the singular passion of our individual paths merging to form the shared trail of our American spirit. If that is his goal, then his books have surpassed it.
Reid writes from the experience of a fourth generation rancher. His understanding and appreciation of the West clearly evident, his love and respect for the land, the people, and the animals that live upon it are richly described. I found myself experiencing the daily life of these people from a different perspective than the many Westerns I have read.
Through their daily lives, we see, for example, how possessions are organized inside a wagon, what do you bring and what you leave behind. How you wash, clean, cook and eat. Negotiating the purchase of cattle and driving them across a roadless landscape. Justifying the murder of innocent people to satiate your need for revenge. Struggling to comprehend why these “hairy-faced” newcomers slaughter of bison, leaving stripped of their skins and their meat left to rot while you struggle to find food. Or why they commit unwonted murder.
For such a large cast, there is no muddling of characters or events, as Reid keeps the characters distinct and the intertwining story lines clear. The characters in Reid’s books become your friends and your enemies, and I found myself drawn into the intimate life of each person, seeing the world through the eyes of both protagonist and antagonist alike.
I highly recommend Uncompahgre: Where rock turns water red and the Trails West series, which should be read in order as each book builds upon the previous in one continuous saga.
January 30, 2015
Reid Lance Rosenthal's "Uncompahgre: Where Water Turns Rock Red" turned up at just the right time. The night before, my mother and I had been discussing books and authors. She was reminiscing about books she had read while she was younger in Illinois and mentioned the sagas of John Jakes, a local writer that she greatly enjoyed. She mentioned that it seems like authors do not write historical sagas/epics anymore and that she misses them.
The next day, "Uncompahgre: Where Water Turns Rock Red" arrived in the mail. I set it on the desk and skimmed it and realized that it was exactly what my mother had been talking about. Before I told her about the series and got her hopes up, I figured I should read a bit and see what the quality of the writing was. After a few chapters, it became clear that the writing was actually quite exceptional.
I then showed the book to my mother and told her that this was the kind of series that she had been looking for. It is believable historical fiction written by a gifted author. She took my book...
The only downside is that now, since we like to read series in order, we have some other books from Mr. Rosenthal to buy (and more to wait for). I would definitely recommend this series to fans of the genre.
This book was won from the Goodreads.com website in exchange for a review.
The next day, "Uncompahgre: Where Water Turns Rock Red" arrived in the mail. I set it on the desk and skimmed it and realized that it was exactly what my mother had been talking about. Before I told her about the series and got her hopes up, I figured I should read a bit and see what the quality of the writing was. After a few chapters, it became clear that the writing was actually quite exceptional.
I then showed the book to my mother and told her that this was the kind of series that she had been looking for. It is believable historical fiction written by a gifted author. She took my book...
The only downside is that now, since we like to read series in order, we have some other books from Mr. Rosenthal to buy (and more to wait for). I would definitely recommend this series to fans of the genre.
This book was won from the Goodreads.com website in exchange for a review.
September 12, 2014
Mr. Rosenthal's vivid descriptions will take you straight into the past. In this 3rd book of the series, the wagon train has just reached Cherry Creek. With losses along the way, Zeb struggles with how to tell Mac's brother about his death.
The wagon train members are separating ways, and everyone is saying farewell. News from Europe has also come by stagecoach for some of the wagon train members. Some of it good, and some bad.
Rueben proposes to Rebecca, but will she accept, or is she still planning on returning to England? Will Zeb tell Sarah how he feels, or will he let Sara go with Phillipe? Find out for yourself.
The wagon train members are separating ways, and everyone is saying farewell. News from Europe has also come by stagecoach for some of the wagon train members. Some of it good, and some bad.
Rueben proposes to Rebecca, but will she accept, or is she still planning on returning to England? Will Zeb tell Sarah how he feels, or will he let Sara go with Phillipe? Find out for yourself.
January 2, 2015
Mr. Rosenthal's vivid descriptions will take you straight into the past. In this 3rd book of the series, the wagon train has just reached Cherry Creek. With losses along the way, Zeb struggles with how to tell Mac's brother about his death.
The wagon train members are separating ways, and everyone is saying farewell. News from Europe has also come by stagecoach for some of the wagon train members. Some of it good, and some bad.
Rueben proposes to Rebecca, but will she accept, or is she still planning on returning to England? Will Zeb tell Sarah how he feels, or will he let Sara go with Phillipe? Find out for yourself.
The wagon train members are separating ways, and everyone is saying farewell. News from Europe has also come by stagecoach for some of the wagon train members. Some of it good, and some bad.
Rueben proposes to Rebecca, but will she accept, or is she still planning on returning to England? Will Zeb tell Sarah how he feels, or will he let Sara go with Phillipe? Find out for yourself.
May 1, 2015
A nice continuation of the saga. The wagon train makes slow progress, but things begin to heat up between Rebecca & Reuben. Love interest may change for Sarah as a new man joins the drive Zeb shows a jealous side. Johannes holds his own against a bear. Israel and Lucy make progress and make contact with Eagle Talon. Will the crew make it to the Uncompahgre before the snow flies?
April 27, 2014
Good
I was a little disappointed that some of the chapters from maps of fate were repeated. Still a great book.
I was a little disappointed that some of the chapters from maps of fate were repeated. Still a great book.
September 15, 2014
Loved this continuation of the series. I can't wait for the next book!
November 15, 2024
Great Series
This is a magnificent series. I am so glad I happened upon it. On to Book 4 and hopefully many more.
This is a magnificent series. I am so glad I happened upon it. On to Book 4 and hopefully many more.
March 16, 2014
An interesting glimpse into the settling of the American West.
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