Although relatively new to the game Tristi Pinkston is one of the foremost historical fiction writers in the LDS market with two books under her belt and six more on the way. Nothing to Regret was her first release and is the book I’m reviewing today.
Uniquely, Tristi, a perfectly delightful woman, wrote this book in masculine first person. It worked. She skillfully takes the reader into the beginnings of WWII in the Pacific Rim through the eyes of a young Japanese American, Ken Sugihara. Through no fault of his own, other than his nationality, Ken, along with his parents, are caught up in the wartime hysteria of World War II. He and his parents are taken from the only home Ken has ever known and interned at the Japanese Relocation Center, Topaz, in the middle of the Utah desert.
The author takes us through life at this camp and Ken’s incredulous response when an old friend shows up with an offer. He can leave there if he takes on an espionage mission to Japan. From there, we are taken into Japan and into the shadowy world of spying, the underground and betrayal. As Ken easily blends into the Japanese culture, he finds people who don’t agree with their governments goals in war. With them, he fights to find the information he’s been sent to find and return home to his family.
Nothing to Regret is a masterpiece of prejudice, acceptance, defeat and triumph, more importantly, of love, loyalty and strength. Even more so, the healing power of the Atonement has rarely been made more clear in a work of fiction. It is a must read and will be a valuable addition to your fiction library.
Watch for Tristi’s new release, Season of Sacrifice, currently working its way through the publishing process. Learn more about Tristi and her website, www.tristipinkston.com.