A review by grahammatthews
Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson

emotional mysterious reflective 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? Yes

5.0

A Book that feels like it could be a TV series that surprises everyone for how raw and real it is.

Let me start by saying I found this book in the Brightside bookstore in Flagstaff, Arizona. I was on vacation, and instead of buying a book I would normally get, I decided I would pick something from a Local Author. This book caught my eye by not only its beautiful cover, but because the description was something I normally wouldn't read, and seeing Ash Davidson is from Flagstaff, Arizona I bought it. 

With that, Damnation Spring is about a family in a small logging community in Northern California, based in the 1970’s. This book is about 3 key characters: Rich, the Logging Husband, Colleen, the wife who helps the locals with their pregnancies, and Chub, their son! The community is fed off the logging community, and the money it brings in, but it gets flipped on its head when some of the locals have more miscarriages, the Salmon in the rivers are dying, and some of the deer have strange growths. It's led to believe its from the poison the logging company is using to kill the weeds. This is the foundation of the story and how it affects Rich, Colleen, Chub, and the people of the community.

Ash Davidsons writing is beautiful. As I said above I felt it was a hit TV series that swept the nation because of the visuals she built and how it created both Mystery and Tension as I read. I will admit, even with my rating, I did find a few sections of the book feel over descriptive as well, but it only lasted briefly as the story continued to unfold. 

I highly recommend this book to someone who enjoys dramatized TV shows, like Bridgerton or Yellowstone. I haven't read very many books like this before so I can't compare it to others, but I will say what this family goes through, just be prepared to feels all the emotions, i laughed, I cried, I was filled with rage, and I was happy through the course of this story. My heart was constantly being pulled in different directions throughout the entirety of the book.

I give Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson 5 out of 5 Redwood Trees.

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