The Covenant

White Pine Chronicles #1

by Hilda Stahl

This first book of The White Pines Chronicles is a sweeping historical novel of Janet Cordell's struggle to find freedom in a land torn by the Civil War. It is also the revealing story of the lumber barons who amassed millions of dollars as they robbed the northern midwest of its beautiful white pines.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Romance

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1991

About the author

Hilda Stahl was an American author of middle grade and young adult novels, many of them in series. Most of her books are classified as Christian fiction.

Biography from one of her books: "Hilda Stahl was born and raised in the Nebraska sandhills. As a Young teen she attended Bible college, where she met her husband, Norman. They raised their seven children in Michigan, where she lived until her death in 1993. When Hilda was a young mother with three children, she saw an ad in a magazine for a correspondence course in writing. She took the test, passed it, and soon fell in love with writing. She wrote whenever she had free time, and eventually began to sell her work. The first Elizabeth Gail book, The Mystery at the Johnson Farm, was made into a movie in 1989. It was a real dream come true for Hilda. She wanted her books and their message of God's love and power to reach and help people all over the world.
— biography from Elizabeth Gail and the Mystery at the Johnson Farm

Reviews

[Lilyana Page]

This book was...interesting. Intense is the first word I would choose. The female protagonist is whipped by several male characters, indentured to an uncle who hates her, and forced into a marriage with a man she is not loved by, among other questionable things. It is presented as a somewhat Christian book, but I don't know how I feel about that. There was just so much in it that I haven't fully processed.

I will say--this is NOT a book I would give a young teen right off the bat. There is some intense stuff in there. Probably worth your time to read/scan before handing it off to a teen in your life.

I think that a well-grounded teen from a good background like myself will do better with this book, as we have decent skills to sift through and process this than teens from shakier backgrounds. The behaviours of certain men who have significant bearing in the female protagonist's life (e.g. father, boss, uncle) are anything but exemplary. Any decent man would not whip his niece for the smallest math mistake in his shop ledgers. This behaviour isn't necessarily portrayed as RIGHT, but it isn't as strongly portrayed as WRONG like I think it should be. These sort of actions should never be portrayed as okay. Women should expect better. Much better.

All that said, many of the characters in the wrong do come to a place where they realize that the way they treated Jennet was absolutely terrible, and they repent. I do appreciate that author Hilda Stahl doesn't fall for or portray the idea that if you become a Christian, your life will be all rosy and happy forever and ever. It won't. That doesn't mean that the Christian life isn't worth it, but roses and happiness aren't all there is to it. :)

Take this review with a grain of salt, please. Still processing this jam-packed book. Might just be that I do not like this style of writing. I don't think that is completely the problem, though.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I read this was as a teenager (longer ago than I care to think about), and I happened to borrow it from my grandma just to have something to read. So glad I did! I don't normally read Christian fiction because it seems like a lot of them fall into the same problem that the movies do: as long as you believe in God and pray, your life will be great and nothing will go wrong. You will win the football game for sure! This book does do that a bit (hence 4 instead of 5 stars), but definitely not to the extant that I have seen in other books. The overall message of forgiveness and love for your family definitely rings loud and true. No one in this story had an easy life, and it showed in their actions. Right from the beginning I cared about Jennet and what happened to her. I was hooked right from the start, and just kept reading till I was finished. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a dramatic historical story with lots of heart in it.

[Sally Lindsay-briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very spiritual, (with pertinent Bible verses), inspiring story of Jennet, who works very hard. She makes a plan but is sent off as an indentured servant with her uncle. She has little to eat, and works even harder than before and hates every minute, especially when she is beaten for making mistakes. An old friend pays off the debt and they marry. She does so reluctantly. From there we see forgiveness and love blossom. Jennet helps with runaway slaves. She acquires her own land which speaks to the next book, The Inheritance. I am reading it now and it should be just as good as this one.

[Linda Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christian struggles to save an old-growth stand of white pine from those who would want to lumber it.

[Jea123nneyahoo.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book. The first two books in the series are very good. The last book has some issues. Which was sad to find out.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this series several years ago, and decided to read it again. Pretty good. Some of the characters were jerks, but did change....though I thought Free owed his wife a huge apology

[Mariah Martinez · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1992, the writing is a little different from the way Historical Fiction is being done now, however, the story is a lovely and warm tale about preserving the land, marriage, love, and honor. This first book of the series of The White Pine Chronicles was by far the best with the first of the Havlick Family and the revealing tale of Jennet Cordell who is sold by her father. The pain, so raw, and yet she perseveres through that disappointment and then the forced marriage that she was so unsure about. This is a great story in Michigan in the 1800's where slaves are still running and the war has been raging. If you can separate yourself from modern day novels a bit, you will love this high/low story with lots of action.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Book 1 in the White Pine Chronicles) *A sweeping historical novel of one young woman's struggle to free herself in a country divided by bloodshed.* In a land torn by Civil war, Jennet struggles to find freedom and the right to follow her dreams.Where
will God take her? What is His plan for her life? Can she let go of the bitterness and unforgiveness residing in her heart? And what about her husbands bitterness towards his past as well? Can God heal them? Find out! .... This book held my attention and was hard for me to put down :) There were very few things that I didn't like about it.
So, I give a 5-star rating.

[Jaclynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the White Pine Chronicles, a story revolving around an inheritance of white pines. Taking place between 1863 and 1865, much of the book is about a girl named Jennett and later her marriage to the young man who inherits the white pines. Can she save them from being turned into lumber so their future generations can enjoy them? Will she forgive her father for her past? Can he forgive his father for keeping a secret from him all those years? And will their love for each other grow in a way that glorifies God?

[Laura Smallie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written romance, set during the end of the Civil War in Michigan. The progression of the lives of the lead characters is compelling as they come to realize their need for God and the gifts He brings to them as they come to know him.

[Megan]

With (above)

[Karine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting reading about the american civil war and how the women lived at that time, but the book developed into a romantic cliché...

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

An old favorite that I still practically have memorized. It is always interesting reading a book like this, that you enjoyed, from an old married woman's point of view though.

[Robin Wittenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book and it talked about the Civil War. Time Period was 1863-1865. Hilda Stahl is an awesome Christian Author. Loved reading her books.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story, loved the entire series

[Amber]

Entertaining read.