Book Review: “Whither Shall I Go?” by Gina Holder

“Whither Shall I Go?” by Gina Holder

Review copy from the author

 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

 

About the Book:

“I miss him too, Bitty, but God knows best. Someday you’ll see.” If only I could believe that…
In 1911, Ellie Williams struggles to see God’s hand in her life when she loses both parents and is sent to live with her wealthy, estranged aunt, who transforms her from awkward country bumpkin to socialite heiress. Six years later, she meets a young preacher and finds hope as they serve the Lord together.
Robert Hampton is deeply devoted to God and desires to take the gospel to the unreached natives of Brazil. He didn’t expect to fall in love. When he is drafted, Robert is torn between his duty as a soldier and his budding affections for Ellie. Will Robert survive the trenches? Will he lose the only woman he’s ever loved?
Ellie’s journey takes her from her home in Cades Cove, Tennessee, to the concrete jungle of New York City, and finally to the harsh unforgiving world of the Amazon River Basin, where she meets Paul, a doctor who’s lost his way, and Jack, a soldier with amnesia. Encountering anacondas, jaguars, and an antagonistic shaman, will Ellie give in to the fears that threaten to overwhelm her?
Or can she depend on God’s grace to bring about His will for her life?
Whither Shall I Go? combines compelling characters, sweet romance, vivid setting, and historical details in this emotionally-charged story of one woman’s struggle to surrender to God’s plan and allow His grace to work in her life. Can life take her anywhere that his hand does not lead and his presence cannot be found?

 

 

My Thoughts:

I loved how this book started out with a Bible passage before the prologue. And how so many verses were sprinkled throughout the story – I very much appreciated that and enjoyed that aspect! To me, you can never get enough Jesus. His Word, His truths, they’re amazing and should be used more often in fiction.

Another thing I really liked about “Whither Shall I Go?” was the emphasis on waiting and following God’s will – that His will for our lives is so much more important than following anything else. If God leads us to do something, we must forsake all else to follow Him.

This is a book that follows the main characters through their lives. Ellie is the majority of the book’s main character, but we also follow along with Robert and his journey, and Paul and his family’s journey too, till they all meet up in a satisfying ending.

This book was a little slow at times, and didn’t have a huge build-up – it was really more of a journey – but it was still good, and I enjoyed reading it. It was really neat to see how God’s plan for the characters lives was orchestrated completely, and glory given to His name for it.

There were some instances of behaviour by the characters that I couldn’t relate to – things would happen and the characters wouldn’t react to it – they wouldn’t do anything about it, and were…passive. Which seemed weird to me. I’d explain more but I don’t want to give any spoilers.

I didn’t agree with all of the character’s behaviours (like the parents of Paul sometimes), but they were realistically portrayed.

I did enjoy how a fair part of this book was missions-related, as missions are close to my heart.

“Whither Shall I Go?” is a unique story, filled with Biblical truths, and the real factors of life.

“Just keep your trust in the Lord. He knows every thought and intent of the heart. Remember, the will of God won’t lead you where the grace of God can’t keep you.”

“We can’t let heartache keep us from loving. We can’t let the bad memories cover the good ones.  Just think of all the good times. Would you give them up just to be rid of the pain you feel now?”

“But I do know that God is always leading us, even when we don’t understand. Even if it feels like we’ve done made our bed in hell; the Bible says, ‘when I awake I am still with Thee.’ …God knows the horror we lived through, but He brought us through it. And He’s going to bring you through this too.”