The Girl in the Thistles: A Novel of the Dakota Homeland, Inspired by Actual Events

by S.K. Sandvig

Emilie, the 19-year old daughter of a Sioux mother and a Scottish father, finds her home destroyed when her clan is caught up in the US-Dakota war of 1862. Her mother is sent to a prisoner-of-war camp, and Emilie sets out to find her father, who has been missing since the beginning of the war. With help from two new and unlikely friends, Eustis and Anders, she begins a treacherous and emotional journey to track him down. Will she find him? Will her mother be set free? And will Emilie be able to rebuild the home she's lost?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical

465 pages, Paperback

Published January 16, 2023

Reviews

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this story (which is based on real events) is good. It's compelling and interesting. Unfortunately, I don't think the story was executed very well. The characters seemed very two dimensional and I didn't care all that much for any of them. They all lacked a spark to make them feel real and important. Emilie is a mixed blood. Her father is Scottish and her mother is Dakota. She straddles both worlds and loves them both pretty equally. When the US-Dakota War of 1862 erupts her clan is embroiled in it and her home is destroyed. Her father goes missing in the chaos and she is determined to find him. Again, the events are compelling, but Emilie is not. Very slow read.

[Abigail Westbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a greater appreciation for the plight of the Dakota people thanks to Sandvig’s well of knowledge and truthful retelling. The author’s attentiveness to detail was evident, and necessary in weaving together elements of a story that come together perfectly in the end, like the click of a locket.

I appreciated learning the setting and context of a war I knew very little (to nothing) about prior to reading. The characters were compelling, and the trial in the final chapters kept me in suspense to the very end.

I loved this book from start to finish and can’t wait for the next Hillhead Chronicle! 📚

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

S.K. Sandvig has created a thought-provoking story that brings to light the realities of a time when cultures were colliding as the land of the Dakota prairies quickly became a hot commodity. Little is written about the US-Dakota War of 1862, and yet, it had a huge impact on the people of this region for generations. This beautifully crafted story, inspired by true events and people, does not read as if it has an agenda, but merely educates the reader on the realities of the time. Sandvig reveals the complexities of the issues and their impact on everyday people. “The Girl in the Thistles,” is not only educational, but entertaining at its core. It is filled with a variety of well-developed characters, corruption, greed, mystery, and heartache. The story unfolds through the eyes of the main character, Emilie, the feisty daughter of a Sioux mother and Scottish father. The artful descriptions in this book will transport the reader to the prairies of the 1800’s and feel nestled in a buffalo hide tipi. It is evident that the author has a love for the Dakota prairies. “The Girl in the Thistles: a novel of the Dakota homeland,” is an engaging story and the perfect summer read. This book has become one of my favorite reads of 2023.

[Dali Smolsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emilie, a young woman who is half Scottish and half Sioux navigates the newly changed world when her home has been destroyed, mom wrongfully imprisoned, and her father turned to be dead, murdered by a man who is greedy for the estate that is newly acquired from a death of a family. Emilie must investigate who murdered her father while also navigate a world that is drastically difficult for her as she is half-Sioux and half Scottish, a culture group that has been always told as a not of either descent. Along the way, Emilie is employed by a secretly Jewish family as a tutor for their two children, and she also meets her future husband, Anders. I think my favorite part is when Emilie gets hired as a tutor, as it becomes a turning point for Emilie in terms of her gaining independence as well as learning who she is. We also find out more closely how she feels about being of two different descents and yet how loyal she is to both sides of her family.
Generally, I recommend this story to those that enjoy historical fiction. It has a pretty traditional ending that is not really inspiring however it is a different take on history that is rarely told and talked about. It provides some historical context to a people that have long struggled to find their voice.

[Nonikell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am SO conflicted as to what rating to give this. On the one hand, it's a good, compelling story that kept me interested the entire time (even if I could spot where it was headed). On the other hand (and this is a pretty weighty hand), there definitely is NOT enough information on the WHY of the war that this book is centered around. If the main character is living on Native land, with Native people (even if she wasn't Native, which she is), she would have intimate knowledge, her entire day-to-day would have been saturated in what was happening (that buzz of electricity you can feel in the air when someone is about to start, the ENTIRE tribe literally starving, etc.).

Coulda been a 5 star, not even sure I should give it a 3
5 = 🤩 would read again
4 = great, would recommend
3 = average, probably wouldn't tell someone to not read, but not recommending either

[B Ahearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a son of the Prairie comes a wonderful debut historical fiction book; The Girl in the Thistles by S K Sandvig, will take you on a journey through mid 1800’s Dakota lands. The author respectfully and lovingly shares history and personal family recollections through the eyes of Emilie Ferguson as she comes of age seeking to honor her heritage as a daughter of a Scots father and Dakota mother during this time of rapid development of the prairies, and the peoples and cultures that meld, collide, and struggle to make meaning and home during this often-overlooked piece of American history. A read that will keep you engrossed and engaged as you see the wider story through one girl’s coming of age tale during this turbulent time.

[Jessica Coelho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the story and learning about the Dakota at this time in history, lots of good information and an exciting ending. I took a star off because I felt the author could’ve expanded more on critical details and plot points. Certain lesser details were expanded upon and then other important plot points would be one sentence. Made it hard to follow at certain points having to go back and re-read to make sure I understood the progression of what happened

Spoiler comment:::
Also wished for closure on Winona!

[Taylor Bradbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

S.K. Sandvig tells the story of Emilie Ferguson, daughter of a Native American mother and Scottish father. The book is a coming of age story, a girl’s wrestling with identity, an adventure, a murder mystery, a lament, and a courtroom drama all in one. And the writer accomplishes this in an entertaining and compelling manner. Sandvig clearly enjoys both history and storytelling, and he unites both in a beautiful way.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more!

I read over 60 books a year. Some aren’t memorable…but I loved this book. Good story, well written, and intriguing. Beautiful story about events not well known. Highly recommend to those also enjoying the Yellowstone spinoff 1923. This is the historical fiction we need.

[John R. Albrektson · Rating 5 out of 5]

stellar read!

I so enjoyed reading this wonderful historical novel! I could hardly put it down as I was transported to a different time and place with which I had little familiarity. The characters were well crafted and I began to feel that I would have enjoyed knowing them. I’m already hoping for a sequel!

[Grant Bauder · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6 ⭐️

I was lucky to receive a signed copy! This book was masterfully crafted. There were so many different aspects of it but they all perfectly blended together. I learned so much about Dakota culture and was really impressed when Mr. Sandvig here was able to turn a story about a mixed Dakota-Scottish girl in the middle of a war to a courtroom drama. Overall a brilliant debut novel!

[Jeannette Portscher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

A beautiful historical timeline of events we don’t hear about anymore. It gave me insight into the life of the Dakota and their relationship with the whites whom they lived near.

[Pat Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a moving story

A very slow read until about half way through the story. A round woman, Dakota and white has to manage her place in the changing world. Her father disappears and she search for him…

[Kathy Brickert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

True peek into history with enough excitement to keep you reading! A fascinating read and a bit of a mystery thrown in!

[Betty A. Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

A wonderful story that will hold your attention from the first word to the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the book

[Stephen C Longley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story!

A beautifully written story of loss and love and loyalty. I learned a lot about the Dakota. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Lulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite line: With charity, you can sometimes stop a person from hating.

[Melinda Eikamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting historical fiction.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and tied to real people who participated in the Sioux Expulsion in 1862.

[Linda Goehring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dakota History

Excellent example of teen literature
History of the area. I enjoy reading anything that looks at my homeland in realistic terms.

[Karla Bolender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, Clean Read

Well written and full of history. This book caused me to study more of the history and geography mentioned in the book.

[Carol Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent interesting and located in my homeland area.

[S]

Review by Corinne L. Monjeau-Marz, Author of The Dakota Indian Internment at Fort Snelling, 1862-1864

During the past 160+ years, there have been dozens of books written on all aspects of
the 1862 US War & Dakota Attacks & War, the event in frontier Minnesota which began the
Great Plains Wars. But this exceptional historical adventure is an inclusive experience, sharing
actual life events woven through the lives of the settlers, the Dakota people, and one group so
important, but often overshadowed and overlooked, those of Minnesota’s mixed-blood people,
the people of the transition – and in this story, those of Dakota and Scottish heritage.

But there are many elements of this fine book that should not be overshadowed or overlooked,
due to the total quality of this work, The Girl in the Thistles: A Novel of the Dakota
Homeland. Truly from the beauty of the cover to every word within every chapter, this is a book
deserving to be read and loved. Overall, the historical expertise of the author, S.K. Sandvig, his
understanding of the events included, from 1857 to those post-war times, the description of the
geography from the end of Minnesota’s Territorial era to statehood, to the actions of may well-
known personalities involved, flawlessly blend together with this solidly designed tale, from
beginning to end with sensitivity and honesty.

The author also added a helpful Glossary of terms – of places and people to assist the readers as
well as a Biography Listing of historic personalities who appear within the pages, which will
aid their understanding of the content in any future studies. Because the story-line is so sensible,
clear, and solid, readers will be able to open this book, at any place, to review sections, enjoying
short spurts of reading as a collection of short stories. All that can be expected of an historical
adventure is more than achieved with the Girl in the Thistles. Readers can only hope that
this extraordinary author will share more of his creative talents with us in the near future.