Glorieta Pass

I have to say, books like this one are the main reason I read historical fiction. Most of us know quite a bit about the major battles of the Civil War, fought in the East but few know of just how far west the action stretched. I grew up in New Mexico but never knew much about the state's role in the Civil War. I have driven near Glorieta often but never knew the history of that place. So it was with great anticipation that I began reading this novel. The novel itself seems to have been well researched. We learn of the basics of the situation: elements of the army in Texas pushing northward through New Mexico along the Rio Grande, leading to a great battle against Colorado volunteers at Glorieta Pass. The goal of the Texans was Pikes Peak gold but they were held off because of this bloody battle. While the writing was well done, I found the characters to be pretty standard stock issue types. The male characters were mostly governed by their brutish behavior while the females were honorable, intelligent, and courageous to the point of being foolhardy. I don't know if that is because the author is female or that's just the way she wanted certain characters to behave...I make no judgements. Having said that, I did still enjoy seeing the history evolve through their eyes and I am interested to see what happens in the next book. This is what draws me to historical fiction...living the experiences through characters. I like reading text books to get the facts but historical fiction makes it come alive. I also have to mention a twist at the end of the novel concerning one of the main characters (no spoilers here). I feel like I should have seen it coming but in retrospect it was such a ridiculous twist that I wouldn't have noticed the clues anyway. Readers of this novel will know what I mean. This is Ms Nagle's debut novel so hopefully she won't stoop to such tricks in the future. Her prose is worthy of greater things.

Sure, Nagle didn't make the Texans sound as ferocious as they really were at valverde, or glorieta pass, nor did she write in much detail about the fighting or the smaller engagements(fort fillmoore,alamosa). But she deserves much praise, how many authors have paid attention to the forgotten war for the far west? Yes, i agree, it was a little too much of a love story, instead of paying attention to the fighing in the pass, it was more centered around her nursing the wounded lieutenant at pigeon's ranch, and being a guy, she did make us sound like fat, drunk, slobs. but remember. it doesnt take place in a well civilized area. most of the men out there probably were a lot like that. Even though most of the people who write reviews on this run this to the ground and make it sound like a terrible story. Dont let this stop you from buying it. it is a pretty good story and it will lead you to the sequel" The Guns of Valverde", which is a much better job and follows the texan retreat from the territory. being only 15 years old, and finding it very hard to find information on this underrated and neglected campaign, i think Nagle deserves better reviews than she's getting.

Since I also wrote a novel with a Glorieta battlefield connection, I really appreciate P.G. Nagle's careful research about what happened. Although my concept of the Texans who fought the battle are more brutal, I'm sure there were tea parties and shopping among the officers' wives. A little mild but this novel deserves five stars.

If you like Civil War novels you'll really enjoy this one. Nagle's first novel follows the characters involved in the under-appreciated battle of Glorieta Pass in New Mexico. Her writing is sharp and clear, the details of the time and place perfectly wrought, and the convolutions of plot and character engaging and thoroughly enjoyable. I'll be first in line for the sequel.