I received "The Last Orphan" by Jeffrey Lowder as a Goodreads Giveaway. I often don't buy books when except at second hand stores so I can't say I would've bought this. But I'm so glad I had the chance to read it. If I hadn't, I would've surely missed out. "The Last Orphan" is a book full of rich description, suspense, intrigue, and history. I couldn't put it down. Quite literally I read the entire book in one sitting.
I was a little confused by the title as the story jumps around a bit between the character who is the last orphan and other characters. Once I read the afterword the title made more sense. That would be my only thing I would say to other readers is the story isn't all about this last orphan, Thomas, and yet it is.
This is a great story that's fast paced and engaging. I strongly recommend it. I also strongly encourage reading the afterword as it delves into Lowder's inspiration and thought process which was helpful in sussing out and understanding some of the aspects I saw as potentially problematic.goodreads-giveaways9 s April218 23

The Last Orphan piqued my curiosity since I grew up in Utah (as a non-Mormon).

The story is loosely based around the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857, in which local Mormon officials ordered a group of local Mormon militia to ambush and massacre a wagon train passing through the territory. The massacre killed some 120 people, with the Mormon officials blaming it on the native American population in the area.

The only survivors of this attack were children assumed to be below 8 years old, as Mormon theology teaches that prior to the age of reason (deemed to be age 8) an individual is sinless and thus innocent in the eyes of God, and therefore those who called for this massacre refused to shed "innocent blood".

There are a couple of monuments where the massacre happened, one of which lists the names of all of those who were brutally murdered, and at the end of the list the monument states "at least one other survivor remained in Utah." The book is the author imagining who that child might have been, what his life may have been , and whether any family back in his home state of Arkansas may have been seeking him. Thus begins the story of little Thomas Dunning.

I would not say the author is exceptionally talented, but I enjoyed the book. His character development is a bit lacking and most of the characters (especially the supporting cast) are very one sided - either completely good or completely evil. There does not seem to be much middle ground, and the lack of shades of grey causes many of the characters to come across a bit wooden. Additionally, though a story such as this one may well have included a fair bit of drama, I daresay this book is a soap opera. I think the author would have a pretty good career writing for daytime TV!

The plot, overall, was well developed and the pieces fit nicely together to make a good story. The end was not given away, and I appreciated that I did not know for sure with whom the boy would end up until the very end. Giving away that mystery early on would have surely taken the wind out of my sales, so to speak! And I ly would not have finished the book.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. Mostly because of my having grown up in Utah and seen all of these places, and being extremely familiar with the LDS (Mormon) church, its theology, and very speckled history, despite never having been a part of the church.

No spoilers from me, but if you're ok with a bit of gratuitous drama it's not a bad read, and the ending is satisfactory. However, it doesn't measure up to other books set in pioneer days such as News of the World. general-fiction7 s Karla JayAuthor 7 books569

A terrific story that examines a powerful range of human experiences and emotions. I loved the authentic voices of one small boy and the two women whose undying beliefs are tested until the end. Lowder does a great job of setting, and he creates believable characters who resonated with me long after the last page.5 s Carol Ann162 2

Some Western U.S. history.

Such a terrible tale to be told. The worst of this story will not be apparent til the end of this book. The book was good for telling this sad story and you will not find a HEA for everyone but for a few. Thank you for giving us this story. 3 s Cheryl1 review

I borrowed this book from a library at work and could not put it down. It was gripping, beautiful and I loved the history represented.
Well written and I will be looking at Lowder's other book, The Red Truk.2 s Jennifer Malenius635 4

Fascinating perspective

This is a riveting story. The families are familiar yet vastly different from what I know. The civil war as a background/side note is such a twist compared to other books set in this time frame. Certainly makes you side with the "wrong side". 2 s Melissa Rogers1 review

The Last Orphan

I couldn’t put this book down! It was so interesting and moved at a great pace! Great book! I loved it!2 s LitPick Book Reviews805 29

Just before the start of the Civil War, the Dunnings, a Mormon couple who have settled in Utah, live in constant fear that their son, Tommy, will be taken away from them. Tommy was taken in after his birth parents were murdered in an attack on their wagon train, and his new mother, Eva, and her husband, Bennett, have raised him for the past three years. However, over in Arkansas, the boy’s biological grandmother, Ruby Seddon, has been looking for her grandson ever since she learned of the attack. With the help of a politician, an outlaw, and her own determination, Ruby will stop at nothing to get Tommy back. However, she fails to underestimate the fact that Tommy has lived a relatively happy life with his new family and that he might not want to leave his adopted mother—nor will Eva willingly give him up. Set against the historic backdrop of the U.S. territories just before one of the most turbulent times in history, The Last Orphan explores the complexity of family, relationships, race, and religion in a personal, heartbreaking tale.

Opinion:
The Last Orphan is slow to start, despite delving right into action as Eva hides Tommy from the militia in his best friend Clara’s cellar. It takes some time to catch up on the details of the situation, but once all of the key characters are in place, the story becomes more compelling and suspenseful as the cat-and-mouse game ensues between the Dunning family, the U.S. government, and Ruby Seddon. The true historical situation that inspired the novel is cleverly worked into the plot, educating readers about a piece of U.S. history that we don’t learn about in school. It also explores the Mormon faith as part of the driving motivations behind certain characters, without vilifying it or its heroes. As the suspense builds, so does the desire to keep reading in an attempt to find out which woman will win the title of Tommy’s caretaker...and how the rest of the characters will help or hinder their pursuits. The ending is abrupt yet satisfying. As with many historical tales told from a modern point of view, The Last Orphan points out the error of our ways and reminds us that large concepts such as history, family, and religion are not as starkly defined as some might to believe.
2 s Jane Ingram39 1 follower

Extremely well written with lots of old time says and terms. Great job of proofreading, this makes a story flow so easily. Fantastic storyline and character development. Definitely one of the best western historical novels I’ve ever read. Maybe even the best.
Jeffrey Lowder, please keep writing more fantastic books! 1 Lori13 24

I won this book on Goodreads and was so grateful. What a great, powerful, riveting story told during the civil war. A fantastic storyline as well as having very able characters. I couldn't put it down.
You will not be disappointed in the least!!1 Lori241

I won this book on Goodreads. Really enjoyed this historical fiction story about the Utah territory and the Mormon religion. It is well written, suspenseful, and enlightening.1 Csimplot Simplot2,662 90

Excellent book!!!1 Susie Seeber99 1 follower

Never heard this story

I had never heard the story about the Mountain Meadow massacre and I enjoyed this story Although the event itself was extremely sad I'm traveling. As I read the story I found my self 1st pulling for Eva and then for Ruby. Now I would urge the author to go back to page 219 and correct a piece of misinformation....Fort Sumter is in South Carolina not North Carolina. 1 Brenda LowderAuthor 13 books764

Wow! A compelling story, well told. I was fully along for the ride with the twists and turns of this novel. The ending blew me away. Fantastic! Loved this book!1 Lana69

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
I was not at all familiar with this part of history – I’m sure it’s something we touched on in my history classes, but I didn’t remember any of the details.

This is a fiction story based on an actual story that happened in history. I thought it started a bit slowly, but once the story picked up (about 1/3 of the way in), I found it to be an excellent read.

A majority of the book takes place in the Utah Territory in the 1850s. During this time, a caravan of settlers from Arkansas were attacked as they headed west. All the adults and many of the children were killed, there were about 17 children that survived. They were taken in by multiple Mormon families living near where the attack took place. They raised these children in the Mormon faith. Keep in mind, that at this time, the Mormon church believed in polygamy. The church had a strong hold on the Utah Territory and the men of the church were also soldiers who protected the area when necessary.

A couple years after the attack, the family members of the settlers back in Arkansas worked with their politicians to try and see if any of the children survived. Soldiers from the US government came and took the children back to their families. All but one child, he remained with his adoptive family.

Levi (now known as Tommy) was three when his parents were killed in the attack. He had nightmares for quite a while, but they have started to go away. When the soldiers came to round up the other children, he hid from the soldiers and stayed with his adopted family. But his grandmother believed in her hear that he was still alive and she decided to do what she could to bring him back home. She ends up working with the Pinkerton agency to try and bring him home.

Throughout this story, I was torn as to who I wanted Levi/Tommy to end up staying with. I could see where his blood relatives should keep him, but his adoptive mother took care of him and loved him too. As the story progressed (no spoilers, I promise), I struggled with what the fair or just solution should be.

The story had an unexpected ending, but I really enjoyed the read.
ebooks-own Teri108

Interesting story about a little boy that was orphaned in a wagon attack in the Utah territory right before the Civil War. Little Thomas (Levi), survived (left unharmed) during a wagon attack that his parents perished in. The Mormon group handed him off to a childless couple in their territory along with about 17 other young children that survived the attack. Then the US Army showed up in the settlement of Parowan to collect the children that survived and return them to their blood relatives, Thomas' "mother" hid him away. Meanwhile, back in Arkansas where Thomas' blood relatives lived, his Grandma Ruby knew in her heart that her Levi (Thomas' given name) was still alive and managed to make arrangements to travel to Utah with the help of a Senator friend to collect her only grandson. When Ruby finally makes it to the Parowan territory and confronts Eva, the woman raising Thomas as her own, the truth comes out about the attack. The Mormons themselves attacked that wagon and killed all those people and their children only leaving the kids under 6 at the time thinking they wouldn't remember the attack. A stand off ensues between Eva and Ruby and Eva's husband who admits the horrific deed that he himself was involved in and Thomas'/Levi's future is determined.
***I won this kindle edition in a Good Reads Giveaway and this is my honest take on the bookgiveaways Linda Rogers534 5

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I teach a monthly class on Utah history for The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, so I have read and heard about the Mountain Meadow Massacre. This was a difficult time for the Church and the people living in Parowan at the time. Imperfect men made horrible decisions to do what they did, but we should not judge because we were not there and can't really understand all the decisions that were made. The author wrote a well written story about something we all wish hadn't happened. While this is not really historical fiction, it is a story based on fact and after much research he presented a fictional story based a real historical events. Some of the characters were real live persons, and others were made up, but the story The Last Orphan is interesting and based on fact, there was one orphan left when the others were found and taken back to relatives in Arkansas. On a personal note, most Bishops and other church leaders are not as depicted in the story now or have ever been, they are kind and loving and try to make the best decisions they can with the help of the Lord. Please don't judge the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints based on this wonderfully written story on this story alone.
Than k you. Lori1,500

I received a copy of this book from the goodreads giveaways. This is a book of western historical fiction. However it is based on the real life part of history known as "the Mountain Meadow Massacre" It takes place mostly in Utah from 1857-1861. A group of wagon train travel from Arkansas toward California. They stopped a massacred by a group of mormons and Indian allies[ The Americans} of the mormons. Almost all are killed but 18 young children who are taken by the Mormon families to raise. Eva is raising Thomas since he was three years old. Two years later a group raids the area and takes back all the kids to take home but cannot find Thomas who is hidden.When the boy's grandmother back in Arkansas finds her grandson was not brought back home. She spends the next two years trying to get him herself. Thomas reals name is Levi does not remember what happened at the massacre since he was three but has nightmares. He is close to his adopted mother Eva who will do anything to keep him with her. I don't want to give any spoilers of what happens over the next couple of years. I found this to be a very good read. Especially since it comes from a real life historical event.historical-fiction Robyn1 review

Full of half-truths & lies

The premise of this book sounded intriguing. Once I started reading, I got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. Knowing and living the standards of the only religion mentioned in this book (why wasn't the religion of the grandma mentioned), the actions and foul language of the men & women was atrocious. Yes, they many have practiced polygamy at that time, but it wasn't as common a practice as this book represents. Nor was it appropriate for the local leaders to grant permission to participate. And if any if the brethren were to treat their families as was represented, they would have been excommunicated. I know the tragedy of the Mountain Measures Massacre happened. Do I agree with how or why it happened? No!! Nor did the leadership of the Church at that time, when they eventually found out the truth of what happened. I would have given this book a half or no star if i could have. It is said that the devil will tell 99 truths just to get you to believe a lie. And this book is full of half-truths and lies that misrepresent the said religion. I most definitely do NOT recommend this book! Paula Singleton191 2

Great Historical Fiction

First book by this author and won't be the last one I read. This was a great book based loosely on some of the first Mormons to settle in the Utah area. The book dealt with the orphans that were left behind after pioneers were going through and their wagon train was attacked. The only ones who were saved were the children young enough not to talk. The raid was blamed on the Indians for years but in the end the truth comes out about the real murderers. The military came after 2 years and rounded up the orphans after families had raised these children as their own. One orphan was hidden and this is mainly who the book is about. It is interesting to read the authors notes and to know there is a sign there about the ones who parished, the orphans and also about the one who was never found. Make sure to read the authors short note. A fast paced book that keeps one up reading to see what is going to happen next. Firetruckmama1,150

I won a free copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.

I didn't know any of the history behind this book and found myself consulting Wiki in order to educate myself. The author's note in the back of the book helped give additional background to the story (historical and fiction) and also provided some additional information about the book.

I cannot say that I d everything in this book - at times there were too many characters with too many woven in story lines. I'm also not a fan of monologues at the end of the book in order to get a story's main point told to the reader. However, the overall idea of the book I found an interesting and it was a quick read.

The book is probably more a 3.5 to 3.75 in my opinion, but I rounded it up to four stars.book-giveaways-won reviewed Karen Prive234 5

Insightful of early Mormon Utah

The Last Orphan is about a young boy who survived a massacre, where the of Brigham Young attacked a wagon train in Utah. Levi - or Tommy as he is renamed - is given to a childless Mormon couple to raise as their own. Meanwhile, his blood grandmother in Arkansas has a dream that Levi is alive and is determined to bring him home.

The story idea is intriguing but the execution lackluster. The characters are mostly one-dimensional and the series of events often too convenient to be believable. But, it did give me a glimpse of life in 19th century Mormon Utah, of which I wasn't particularly familiar.

Grateful to have won the Kindle version of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.giveaway-wins RoxAnne249 2

Fast read, a little slow in the beginning but quickly grabs your attention. Set in the mid 1800s when the Mormons were a group that had their own militia and ran a very tight ship. The story centers around a few extremely strong women disgusted with how women are treated in this ‘faith’. They take matters in their own hands to keep an orphan boy safe from harm. The event that left the boy orphaned is a true event that sadly resulted in over 120 adults and children slaughtered as they made their way west to California. The ending is not exactly what is expected, but is what is right for everyone involved. Good story, but totally turned me off the Mormon faith, at least in that time period. Mary867 2

Interesting piece of historical fiction set in Utah the mid 1800's. It is the early days of the Mormon church. What happened to a wagon train of early settlers making their way to California? Why was one orphan allowed to remain?
"Parowan, Utah Territory - August 12, 1859. Two years after his mother and father were murdered in an attack on their California-bound wagon train, little Tommy Dunning crouches in an old root cellar, quivering with cold—and raw fear. Somewhere just above him, men are searching, army men who want to take him away from the only home he remembers. The Last Orphan is the journey of a courageous five-year old and two strong women, each of whom believes God has chosen her to raise the boy in love and the “correct” faith tradition." synopsis copied Karen691 20

I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. I have read other fiction and memoirs relating to Morman history or more contemporary cultish experiences. Some of the themes are so similar that I thought I had already read this book. It takes place in the 1860's just at the cusp of the Civil War, so it is a time close to the genesis of the Mormon religion and communities in Utah. It is the poverty of the outpost homes, the total control by the religious leader, the violence, and difficulty leaving that runs as a thread through this and other books. The story is relatively simple, the writing is nice, but rambles a little as in the second half. The conclusion is satisfying.ebook JaneAuthor 6 books83

I borrowed a copy of The Last Orphan from the Kindle Unlimited Program.

The Last Orphan in the story is a little boy named Tommy Dunning and his Mormon mother, Eva is devoted to him. She hides him when other orphans are rounded up and taken back to Arkansas to relatives after the rest the families died when attacked except for the youngest children.

Tommy's real grandmother, Ruby is determined to get him back and raise him as Levi, his given name. The story deals with the reality of being a Mormon pioneer in the mid-1800s Southern Utah. I enjoyed this historical fiction and enjoyed Tommy's character, his friend Clara and his three-legged dog's devotion. 300-399-pages family-issues historical-romance ...more Sarah B White841 7

Massacre and Cover-up!

I found this book to be one that caught my attention from the beginning, when I got bits and pieces of information on this historical era, and maintained my attention when additional facts were given. It is a book that history buffs will appreciate.

We begin with an attack on a wagon train where almost everyone is killed. We see interactions within the group of survivors as they attempt to establish a settlement and then later with forces that would to kill all the survivors so no record of the events can get out.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Deb840 2

As I'm getting older, I've discovered that I enjoy books that relate to history. I wasn't aware that this book was somewhat loosely based on actual events, until I googled events from the book. That made it even more meaningful, even though I realize the story was highly fictionalized. Anyway, I enjoyed the story, and d it even more when I realized it was based on an historical event. I would have given it 5 stars except for the random typos here and there. Not enough to detract from the story, as they sometimes do, but enough that it bothered me slightly. That said, a worthwhile read! Sonja Campo28

I really enjoyed how the author wrote an interesting story to weave the two darkest parts of the Utah Mormon pioneer's history into a fantastic read. The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Mormon polygamy would be hard to write about individually but Jeffrey artistically combined both into a very captivating story. I was drawn into the characters and looked forward to finding out how it ended. One of my biggest criteria for rating a book 4+ stars is "will I remember this book in a year?" I will not forget this book and the sad story that Jeffrey brought to life! Well done! Deborah Sulkowski24 2

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