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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage
Moderate: Animal death, Abortion
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson had my emotions all over the place.
The heart of this story is a married couple who live in a California logging town. Their relationship and community are tested when suspicions rise about the dangerous impact of the logging company’s herbicides on the community’s health.
Damnation Spring has a lot of elements I love: multiple POVs, a focus on nature, and family drama. It is character-driven with a very gradual buildup. A few parts felt drawn out, but I enjoyed getting to know the characters along the way to the heart-wrenching final chapters.
Colleen’s chapters were particularly evocative as she struggles with miscarriages and advocates for public health. The story had a lot going on with many side characters, so I would’ve appreciated a narrower focus that gave Colleen more attention.
Even though the book takes place in the 1970s, many of the themes mirror today. It’s very much about our relationship with nature and the ways we try to protect ourselves and each other. I loved these layers to the story.
Overall I enjoyed this and recommend with the caveat that you should be patient with the pace. If you need quick action, this might not be for you.
The heart of this story is a married couple who live in a California logging town. Their relationship and community are tested when suspicions rise about the dangerous impact of the logging company’s herbicides on the community’s health.
Damnation Spring has a lot of elements I love: multiple POVs, a focus on nature, and family drama. It is character-driven with a very gradual buildup. A few parts felt drawn out, but I enjoyed getting to know the characters along the way to the heart-wrenching final chapters.
Colleen’s chapters were particularly evocative as she struggles with miscarriages and advocates for public health. The story had a lot going on with many side characters, so I would’ve appreciated a narrower focus that gave Colleen more attention.
Even though the book takes place in the 1970s, many of the themes mirror today. It’s very much about our relationship with nature and the ways we try to protect ourselves and each other. I loved these layers to the story.
Overall I enjoyed this and recommend with the caveat that you should be patient with the pace. If you need quick action, this might not be for you.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Miscarriage, Misogyny
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I haven't been this emotionally invested in a book in quite awhile. Really strong writing. It honors the Keseyian "never give an inch" spirit of the logging community while also asking at what cost? And, who is paying?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
emotional
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes