In the 1950's, a group of North American missionaries go to the forests of Ecuador to find a group of Indians to convert. Five of the men are killed when trying to make contact. This is the story of the wives, how they got there and what happened after. Based on true events peppered with imagine, the five women are brought to life. Lush location descriptions.. thoughtful debates on God and beliefs. Well researched. An author I'd like to read more of.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

An absolutely fascinating blend of fact and fiction based on real life events.
This story is based on five Christian evangelical missionaries from the US who wanted to bring God to the Waorani people in Ecuador, a tribe who had never made contact with the outside world. After they are killed by the Waorani, it is left to their wives and families to make sense of the outcome of their mission and where to go from there. Whilst the names of the missionaries and their wives, and the time of the story around the deaths are based on fact, Thomas has also added some modern perspective to the story by creating fictionalised children and grandchildren who can look at it with more of a balanced view rather than the same religious fervour of the missionaries.
I was absolutely hooked from the opening chapter, and didn’t put this book down all day - a huge compliment to Thomas’s writing because there is so much blind faith and religion in this that I would usually not persevere. Whilst the outcome is incredibly tragic, I found myself frustrated with most of the missionaries and their absolute belief that God is what the Waorani need, rather than letting a civilisation carry on in the way they have been living for hundreds of years. The missionaries tend to paint the tribespeople as savages, when in reality they couldn’t possibly understand their customs and traditions. I appreciated the fictionalised character of Abby, a granddaughter who is able to look back and see all of the problems with this mission, as the parts of the novel set in the past tend to sympathise heavily with the missionaries.
This is a brilliant novel, focusing on a topic which is still so relevant today when we think of the damage being done to the rainforest and the civilisations within in, and I absolutely loved Thomas’s writing and way of weaving the past and present together.

I was interested to read in other reviews that this was based on a true story,something I hadn't realised when I picked it up.
I mostly enjoyed the book,but sometimes there was too much back and forth in the timelines,or characters story that I never felt fully settled into the story.
I definitely preferred the parts set in the past

I’ve long been familiar with Operation Auca and the killing of the five missionaries in Ecuador, so reading a fictionalized account of the incident sounded really interesting. the book is based on the events and people of Operation Auca in the 1950s, but of course the relationship dynamics and inner thoughts of those involved are creations of the author. there are present-day chapters and characters that are entirely fictional, but I did think they added an interesting dynamic to the book. if you will be bothered by the artistic license and liberties taken with reimagining this incident, then just go ahead and skip this one. but if you’re interested, I found it to enjoyable and thought-provoking. 4/5⭐️—I liked it!