Reviews

The River Witch by Kimberly Brock

tashaseegmiller's review against another edition

5.0

The River Witch tells the story of people who are broken and hurting, seeking recluse or embracing solitude on a southern island. The alternative voices of Roslyn and Damascus give insights into sorrow and lost identity. The magic in the story is subtle and quiet, but the magic in the way Brock tells the story is awe-inspiring. I loved the characters, the writing, the book. So well done.

ja3m3's review against another edition

4.0

Set in the marsh islands off the Georgia coast Kimberly Brock’s haunting, lyrical prose sing off the pages in her debut novel of regret, magic and redemption. Roslyn, broken physically and emotionally, escapes to Manny Island to nourish her neglected soul and meets Damascus a lonely little girl who might just be Roslyn’s salvation.

I love a book that turns on its self and The River Witch is never what it seems. This story could have become very predictable, but Brock doesn’t let that happen which makes the story so gut wrenching in its honesty and sadness. Highly recommend.

bpowers08's review against another edition

3.0

Easy summer read. The characters at times see a bit shallow and their actions a bit unrealistic, but overall it is an entertaining book.

emilyisreading2024's review against another edition

5.0

Overall, this is an impressive debut novel by Kimberly Brock, full of emotion and atmosphere. The writing is powerful and I enjoyed the treatment of grace. At times the plot is a bit slow-moving and some stretches of dialogue are unrealistic. Nonetheless, it's an entertaining story.

dt_pellegrini's review against another edition

5.0

I enjoyed this book much more than "Where the Crawdads Sing", although they had a similar feel to me. There's not really a murder mystery in this book, it's more about finding out who you are and where you fit into your world, without being apologetic about any of it.

robinobryant's review against another edition

5.0

Kimberly Brock offers a fresh new voice for Southern fiction that is so authentic it feels like it's always been around. The scenery is captivating, the prose is beautiful and her characters are engrossing. You'll be sad when it's over.

crysdale's review against another edition

5.0

I won a copy of this book from the author, and I'm so glad! It's beautiful and unforgettable.

jrobinw's review against another edition

3.0

I loved the relationship between Damascus and Rosalyn. Good story.

crafalsk264's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective slow-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? Yes

3.75

 Rosalyn Byrne is a well known ballerina who has come to Manny’s Island, Georgia to recover from a recent miscarriage and a serious auto accident which has ended her career as a dancer. Rosalyn was partially raised by her grandmother in a small river community. When her grandmother dies, Rosalyn seeks out a similar community and rural cabin to spend the summer healing her physical and psychological wounds. But the house also comes with gators, ghosts and one very difficult 10 year old girl named Damascus who believes Rosalyn is a witch with a special talent to “call the gators”. Damascus’  father has moved them out of the river house to help his daughter deal with the recent loss of her mother and she is feeling the loss of her home as well as her mother. These two lost souls find a solace together and their healing spreads out to those around them.

I recently read the latest book by Kimberly Brock (“The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare”) and thoroughly enjoyed it. So I went looking for her backlist to find another book. This is her debut novel and it is a formidable story for a new author. The characters are flawed but sympathetic and likable. The atmosphere is more like something in the Everglades than a river in Georgia. It was brooding, mysterious, full of Southern culture and lore, magical realism and pumpkins. This is one of the most satisfying and heartwarming endings I have read for a while. I definitely see myself reading this one again. Just the ticket to kick off a fall spooky reading list.   

chopeclark's review against another edition

5.0

Debut author Kimberly Brock has spun a magical tale of recovery and self-discovery, set in a mystical setting on the coast of Georgia. Beautiful writing. Like the river running through the island, the story meanders, turns, and silently builds, running toward the ocean to a climactic ending for each and every character, not just Roslyn Byrne. Brock does a masterful job with the secondary characters, in my opinion, in a deftly handled, layered plot that makes all come to the realization that they have more to offer life, and each other, than is on the surface. Nicely done, Ms. Brock. A wonderful piece of Southern fiction.