Reviews with content warning for Colonisation - The Frozen River: The Extraordinary New York Times Bestseller Based on a Real Life Heroine

Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'

The Frozen River: The Extraordinary New York Times Bestseller Based on a Real Life Heroine by Ariel Lawhon

66 reviews

sdudley2209's review against another edition

4.25

challenging hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

allisonpicksbooks's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous informative inspiring mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Prompt 32 - a book about an overlooked woman in history - July 10, 2025 - This book is centered around Martha Ballard, a midwife from Maine in the late 1700s. Martha documented her medical calls and daily life in a journal that was used as evidence in a rape trial. Although Martha's delivery record is incredibly impressive, no one knows who she is. Her legacy lives on through her female descendants however, with one founding the Red Cross and another becoming the first female doctor in the US.

Content Warnings

jeggert10's review against another edition

4.5

challenging mysterious relaxing fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

oelhoward's review against another edition

4.5

emotional informative inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-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: No

Emotionally immersive and feminist to its core. This story pulled me in with its strong, quiet rage and stayed with me for days. Martha Ballard is a midwife, mother, and all-around badass trying to bring truth to light in a time when women’s voices were dismissed, ignored, or punished.

I loved the biographical fiction angle—it gave weight to the story while still feeling fresh. Some plot points didn’t fully click for me, which knocked it down half a star, but it’s a powerful and necessary read nonetheless.

For fans of layered female characters, historical justice, and slow-burning tension with high emotional payoff. And once again, for the people in the back: screw North.

Content Warnings

madddv's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

mbwoconnor's review against another edition

5.0

hopeful mysterious sad tense 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: No

The last 50 pages are intense. A great historical fiction with a little bit of who done it. A strong woman MC. In Maine 1789-90.

Content Warnings

houseofglances's review against another edition

2.0

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Very slow first half. Picks up in the second half. Characters tend to be very black and white in characterization. Antagonists in particular are cartoonishly evil with zero nuance. There are some nice historical details and family/small town dynamics and the protagonist and family are likable enough if not very interesting.

Content Warnings