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estellegodard's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
the writing style in this book was far too lyrical and poetic for my taste. I found the metaphorical language unrealistic and cringey and it consistently took me out of the story. thus, reading it wasn’t very enjoyable and I was disappointed. the story overall was quite good, though I felt like I never got to know the characters very well due to how repetitive it was. I also found that I lacked the emotional connection with the peripheral characters, so the deaths never felt very impactful. I think this book would have benefited from being shorter and more concise. I thought the last 50 pages were very strong and there were certain standout passages throughout. I also really enjoyed the perspective of the river in the early parts of the book as well as the inclusions of drawings. I thought these were unique additions that broke up the monotonous pace.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Rape
emmasdil3mmas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
a devastatingly emotional read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Addiction, and Drug use
katieurban's review against another edition
4.0
Tiffany McDaniel is an unbelievable storyteller. Her last book, BETTY, was so incredibly written - but also very intense and hard to read at times. This story is equally raw and emotionally draining, and there were many times I had to put the book down and take a break. This book is not for the faint of heart, with many triggers such as pedophilia, sexual assault, drug use, violence against women. But the author's prose is STUNNING, and she really brings such powerful emotions to your core as you read. I will be reading her next book - and all those to follow!
elenabracadabra's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
caseyanncoen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sjgomzi's review against another edition
5.0
With only three released books, I honestly believe Tiffany McDaniel may well be the greatest novelist writing today. I don’t make these kinds of statements lightly. I believe it to be the absolute truth. The way she brings her tales to life so vividly on the page is magical and unique. Her style is one of a kind, yet reminiscent of lost greats like Ray Bradbury, with her uncanny intermingling of metaphor and myths and the kinds of stories passed down from generation to generation.
I’m not going to get heavily into plot, since this book won’t be released for a while. Instead, I’m going to concentrate on the intense feelings and emotions this new release stirred within me. There is not a single wasted word here. Every carefully crafted sentence serves a purpose. Her prose is breathtaking and beautiful. Her words lift off the pages and fill you with wonder and enlightenment.
There’s simply no one else out there writing like her.
On The Savage Side loosely retells the story of The Chillicothe Six. Six women, of impoverished backgrounds, who were all found dead in a local Ohio river. All victims of a suspected serial killer. These women, their lives lost to prostitution and drug abuse, were sadly forgotten for the most part, and this book is McDaniel crafting stories and lives for them. A tribute to those unloved, forgotten souls who never had a voice in life. People often forget we all start out as children, full of dreams and promise, but sometimes children are forced down dark paths due to circumstances out of their control. It is unfortunate that many forget this, as society often holds preconceived beliefs that people always have a choice in the lives they find themselves. And these people are often ignored or vilified. McDaniel humanizes the victims and provides a loving tribute to these six woman who never had a chance for justice.
This book is a devastating work of literature. Her previous book Betty nearly killed me. With this one. It felt like McDaniel was shoveling dirt over my head at the end of every single chapter. This book is horror, pure and simple. And having read a lot of horror over the years, I can honestly say no other book has even come close to burying itself under my skin and burrowing into my bones like this book. At times, I found myself feeling physically sick reading the words on the pages. McDaniel leaves little room to breathe. So much darkness mingled in with such beauty.
This was a life changing work. One of those books that stay with you your whole life. There are things I will never look at the same way again after reading this. A warning: this story contains every single trigger warning imaginable. Not kidding.
In closing, I hope everyone takes a chance and reads this incredible story because Tiffany McDaniel is one of our most treasured storytellers and her stories deserve a wide audience and all the awards there are to give. This ended up being one of the best books I have ever read. No hyperbole.
I’m not going to get heavily into plot, since this book won’t be released for a while. Instead, I’m going to concentrate on the intense feelings and emotions this new release stirred within me. There is not a single wasted word here. Every carefully crafted sentence serves a purpose. Her prose is breathtaking and beautiful. Her words lift off the pages and fill you with wonder and enlightenment.
There’s simply no one else out there writing like her.
On The Savage Side loosely retells the story of The Chillicothe Six. Six women, of impoverished backgrounds, who were all found dead in a local Ohio river. All victims of a suspected serial killer. These women, their lives lost to prostitution and drug abuse, were sadly forgotten for the most part, and this book is McDaniel crafting stories and lives for them. A tribute to those unloved, forgotten souls who never had a voice in life. People often forget we all start out as children, full of dreams and promise, but sometimes children are forced down dark paths due to circumstances out of their control. It is unfortunate that many forget this, as society often holds preconceived beliefs that people always have a choice in the lives they find themselves. And these people are often ignored or vilified. McDaniel humanizes the victims and provides a loving tribute to these six woman who never had a chance for justice.
This book is a devastating work of literature. Her previous book Betty nearly killed me. With this one. It felt like McDaniel was shoveling dirt over my head at the end of every single chapter. This book is horror, pure and simple. And having read a lot of horror over the years, I can honestly say no other book has even come close to burying itself under my skin and burrowing into my bones like this book. At times, I found myself feeling physically sick reading the words on the pages. McDaniel leaves little room to breathe. So much darkness mingled in with such beauty.
This was a life changing work. One of those books that stay with you your whole life. There are things I will never look at the same way again after reading this. A warning: this story contains every single trigger warning imaginable. Not kidding.
In closing, I hope everyone takes a chance and reads this incredible story because Tiffany McDaniel is one of our most treasured storytellers and her stories deserve a wide audience and all the awards there are to give. This ended up being one of the best books I have ever read. No hyperbole.
lydiacherith's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kateander's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75