Book Review: Forsaking All Others by Allison Pittman

Publisher: Tyndale House
Publication Date: October 1, 2011

This second book in the sister wife series continues the story of Camilla Fox, who at the end of the first book is left lost in the snow after being forced to leave her home when she refuses to be rebaptized into the Mormon religion. The cost to her decision is staggering as she is forced to leave her children behind. After Camilla is rescued from the snowstorm, Forsaking All Others follows Camilla's journey to Salt Lake City, where she discovers that her very life is at risk. With the help of the U.S. army, she flees back to her parent's home, returning like the prodigal son with the hope of open arms but unsure whether she'll be truly welcomed. Throughout the story, she longs to be reunited with her children and must trust God to guide her steps and show her how she can be a mother to her children without giving up her faith in God.

Allison Pittman has again written a powerful, moving story in Forsaking All Others. The circumstances of Camilla are both heartbreaking and inspiring as we watch her faith in action, despite the enormous cost of being separated from her children, and the author has succeeded in bringing to life a truly endearing character. The rich, historical details regarding Mormonism that are woven into the story are fascinating to read about and consider.

Even though this is the second book in the series, Pittman did a fine job of reviewing the first book through a clever "letter" sent to a journal that is placed at the beginning of the story. I think that readers who haven't read the first book would be able to enjoy this book despite missing out on the first story. The first half of the story did not move quite as quickly as I would have liked, but the writing is rich and the drama of Camilla's hard choices does keep the story moving along. The ending is all I hoped for, though bittersweet in it's triumph.

God's love and grace shines through this story, and this is definitely a worthwhile read. I strongly recommend this book, and give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

This book has been provided courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers, who provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purposes of an unbiased review.