Thank you NetGalley and Bay Feather Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Ellis wakes up screaming, the nightmares feeling real. Someone’s chasing her. Then she sees the man fall and the blood – he’s been shot. She shot him. That was weeks ago, but the memory still haunts her, just like the memories of her mother and brother dying in her arms. Ellis has been desperate to survive, dressing like her twin brother and living as a man. She’s only 15, but the Civil War has made her grow up much faster than she wanted.
Ellis River is Nicki Ehrlich’s debut and award-winning novel about life for those left behind when the soldiers went to war. This book explores the uncertainty that gripped the nation during the Civil War – families unsure what happened to their loved ones, former slaves and freedmen unsure of their safety, and a nation unsure how to move forward. Ehrlich additionally focuses in on the women left to fend for themselves and the dangers they faced from raiding parties, sickness, and the inability to provide for themselves.
I give Ellis River 3 out of 5 stars. Ehrlich impressed me with her knowledge and inclusion of historical facts such as people, places, battles, and the struggles of the women in this era. However, several scenes felt forced and predictable. I felt like the inclusion of some of the female soldiers was unnecessary to get the point across. I also felt like a handful of characters could have been better developed to bring their stories to life and connect them with the overall narrative. While this was a pleasant read, I felt like it was missing quite a bit.
I would recommend this novel to readers looking to better understand the female perspective of this era. I would also recommend this for Civil War history enthusiasts – without focusing too much on either side of the war or the well-known battles, this book gives a glimpse into life during that time. Also, if you enjoyed The Red Badge of Courage or Lonesome Dove, this book is for you – the long trail rides, the effects of battle, and the determination to survive all remind me of these two great literary works. As with any book about battle, this novel includes descriptions of death and injury that may not be suitable for audiences under 13.
I was provided the audiobook version of Ellis River by the publisher for review consideration. When I noticed it was available through NetGalley for review, I was immediately intrigued. While this book has been on the market for a few months and won several awards, I had not specifically heard of it prior to seeing it on my dashboard. The description and subject matter also caught my attention – having lived in Georgia in the heart of Battle of Atlanta territory for most of my life, Civil War history is something I have always been interested in. I was a bit surprised at the direction Ehrlich took in some scenes, but overall enjoyed the reading.
Ellis River is now available for purchase from your favorite independent bookstore!
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What I’m Reading
- Current print book: South of the Buttonwood Tree, Heather Webber
- Current audio book: The Storyteller, Dave Grohl
- Book I’m most looking forward to: The Rules of Magic, Alice Hoffman
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