The historical component of Donna E. Lane’s book This Hallowed Ground has been well studied and is incorporated into the plot in a seamless manner. You may be reminded of the biblical character of Job as Aidan MacAlister battles his many emotions while attempting to deal with his anxieties and despondency. Killing is wrong in God’s eyes, according to Aidan MacAlister’s mother, but his father thinks one must fight to defend their land no matter what. Thus, when the country is torn apart by conflict, young Aidan is forced to make a decision that will challenge him in more ways than he can ever comprehend as he enlists as a reluctant Confederate soldier in the Civil War. Get first-hand knowledge by reading Donna E. Lane’s book This Hallowed Ground.

First of all, I want to thank Donna E. Lane for her work since I learned a lot about an aspect of American history that I didn’t know. The Lakota characters were among the secondary characters who had a strong sense of development and interest. I vividly experienced Aidan MacAlister’s harrowing quest for atonement and the abandonment of his once-cherished faith as he battled the suffering and anguish that were inflicted upon him as a result of his time spent away from home in a war he never intended to fight. The writing made it easy to experience the emotions that Aidan MacAlister was going through as things happened to him. This Hallowed Ground is a book I wholeheartedly recommend to readers of all genres, not just those who enjoy historical fiction.

This Hallowed Ground by Donna E. Lane is a Christian historical novel that would appeal most to a mixed audience of Christian readers who enjoy fiction based on the late 1800s. Aiden MacAlister grew up in the south wanting to either be a teacher or a preacher but ended up a soldier for the south due to his pa’s belief that a man has to defend his land and his people. As a soldier in the Confederate army, his ma’s view that killing is always wrong is taken from him and his actions as a soldier lead him to feel lost and in need of redemption. Will Aidan find redemption in his journey west to fight the Native American people or will he find himself falling deeper into despair?

This Hallowed Ground by Donna E. Lane was a well-written book with an equally intriguing cover image and summary that grabbed my attention. This is the first Christian historical fiction book on the civil war period that I have read and I have to say the author did a spectacular job of making the whole story feel real. At times I had to remind myself that the book was a work of historical fiction and not a non-fiction book due to the realistic way that Aiden MacAlister was portrayed. I particularly liked how the author focused on Aiden's quest for redemption and his sympathy for the Native American people once he could see his reason for having taken part in the war mirrored in their reasons for fighting. I found this book to be an enjoyable read and I hope the author decides to continue to write books in this genre as she has a gift for it!

This Hallowed Ground by Donna E. Lane is a Christian historical fiction novel following the life of Aidan MacAlister as he navigates one hurdle after the other. Set in 1861 and at the heart of the Civil War, Aidan was having a hard time with life. Losing everything to the war, Aiden, a.k.a. Mac, was floundering. Fighting battles that he never believed in, Mac had no clue where he belonged. Injured and desperate, Mac had no idea where he was supposed to go and what he was supposed to do with his life. His only salvation was claiming his family's land back. However, when it proved to be lost as well, he joined the West in their senseless crusade against the Native American people. But Mac knew what it was like to lose his land and his people and his sympathies lay with the natives. But what can Mac do in this situation? Can he protect these people from the inevitable? Or would duty come before purpose?

This Hallowed Ground is filled with action, compassion, emotions, and a fantastic protagonist. It was very easy for me to form a connection with Mac and feel his despair as he fought for a cause he didn’t believe in. When he did find a purpose to live for, Mac realized everything was completely lost to the war. The story was immersive, and author Donna E. Lane transported me right next to Mac. I was feeling what he felt and almost cried at certain parts. His redemption arc was so well-executed that I had a hard time separating myself from the story. The scene between Will and Mac is heartbreaking because that was the first time Mac accepted how broken he was. His transition from Aiden to Mac was powerful. Of course, religion played an important role in the story, but it never overshadowed Mac’s journey to salvation. The pace was perfect, the narrative style was incredible, and the overall atmosphere was outstanding. You don’t have to have complete knowledge of the Civil War to love this story. All you need to do is read it!