For a book about such an immense topic, this was not emotionally hard hitting. Graphic and descriptive and uncomfortable, yes, but its fast-paced, plot-driven nature kept the whole narrative very surface-level, and there was no consistent emotional arc. I wish I could say that regardless of emotional impact, this was a highly informative, interesting book on the time period, but the abundant detail the author included wasn't so much factual, historic information as it was insight into Pheby's personal life and day-to-day struggles. That kind of focus could've been great if this were an intensely personal, moving story, but it just wasn't. As Pheby didn't really have a fleshed out emotional arc or character development, I had a hard time understanding her decisions. I wondered if the story turned out the way it did because historical accuracy was the author's priority (Pheby is based on a real woman) but the author's note suggests that only the premise and a few select events were inspired by actual history.