Under This Unbroken Sky

From the back of the book;


Spring 1938. After nearly two years in prison for the crime of stealing his own grain, Ukrainian immigrant Teodor Mykolayenko is a free man. While he was gone, his wife, Maria; their five children; and his sister, Anna, struggled to survive on the harsh northern Canadian prairie, but now Teodor—a man who has overcome drought, starvation, and Stalin's purges—is determined to make a better life for them. As he tirelessly clears the untamed land, Teodor begins to heal himself and his children. But the family's hopes and newfound happiness are short-lived. Anna's rogue husband, the arrogant and scheming Stefan, unexpectedly returns, stirring up rancor and discord that will end in violence and tragedy.

My Review

Under This Unbroken Sky is a great historical fiction novel. It was a very different read for me as I usually drift more towards feel good books. I love historical fiction so when Barnes and Noble offered it as a First Look Book I thought I would give it a shot. I am glad I did. The novel opens up on the first page with a very haunting description of a family photograph taken in 1933 in Willow Creek, Alberta. The description leaves you wanting and needing to know more about those pictured in the photograph. Shandi Mitchell is a wonderful descriptive writer. I felt as if I were present in the setting. Northern Canada throws everything it has at these families as they try to survive. This book has it all tragedy, love, conflict, determination, survival, and a lot of suspense. It was a captivating read. There is some violence in this book but it is important to the story. I was very surprised at the ending.

This is a book I would recommend over and over again. This is a debut novel for Shandi Mitchell and it does not disappoint. I hope to read more from her in the future. Thanks to Shandi Mitchell and Barnes and Noble First Look Club for the opportunity to read this wonderful novel. I would give it 5 out of 5 stars.