This novel's premise intrigued me because I live close to Franklin, Tennessee, and have learned a good deal about the Battle of Franklin in recent years.  McGavock is a well-known name around Nashville, which added to my interest.  I eagerly picked this book up and dived in, prepared to meet the main characters and learn more about the battle and its aftermath, and previous reviews made the book that much more appealing.  However, as I read, I found myself disappointed in the actual retelling of the battle itself; I was hoping for more action and deeper characterizations.  The plot meanders between points of view and Carrie McGavock's motivations are particularly difficult to understand.  On a personal level, I could delve into her darkness of depression over the loss of her children, but since it was a common occurrence in the mid 1800s, I found it a bit over-the-top.  Her feelings for Zachariah are not in character and are never believable.  Mariah is a strong character who never achieves her own voice and a few of the side stories seem forced as well.  The novel finally achieves its goals in the last 100 pages as the focus for Carrie becomes clear and her determination shows.  Hicks has a wonderful way with words but he needs to show the why of his characters rather than letting them stew in their own juices for much of the story.  Overall this is a good book, but not as compelling as I'd hoped.