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A review by cynicaltrilobite
The Boatman's Daughter by Andy Davidson
3.0
The Boatman's Daughter faffs about a bit
Man, I have mixed feelings about this. I think the premise and setting are absolutely fantastic. Davidson does a phenomenal job at crafting this world and setting you in the muggy bayous that host this sordid tale. I grew up along the Texas Gulf Coast, and a lot of the details he provides are absolutely spot on.
My favorite characters are Isgra the Witch and the unnamed girl at the center of the plot. Isgra especially is such a complex nuanced character, and whenever she was in a scene, it was fantastic. I couldn't help but picture my own Granny in her place.
There's also some pretty brutal and strikingly realistic kills, so that's always a plus.
My main negative with this book is that it feels a bit lost with its identity. I get the sense that it can't tell if it wants to be folk horror, crime drama, or something else. There's aspects of Eastern European mythology smashed in with Southern Gothic, and the resulting mix isn't quite what it could be. There are elements of magic and monsters, yes, but they're often set aside to explore the very human side of this world more.
My super petty critique is this: During the climax of this book, people are getting hacked at with machetes, shot, beat, and more. Our main character, the titular Boatman's Daughter Miranda, spends most of this time just kind of going to and fro doing things in a somewhat unbothered manner. Like, ma'am, your brother is currently being tortured. Can we pick up the pace a bit??
In fact, a number of characters make bafflingly awful decisions, seemingly in sole focus of moving the plot, Miranda and John Avery being the two main contenders.
One final thing, and this is a positive, I love that trope where a bad guy recognizes the strength of their adversary and instead of pursuing them further leaves with a sense of respect. This book does that, and I liked if a lot.
This could have been much more than it was, and that's got me feeling aimless like a rudderless allumicraft in a bayou.
Man, I have mixed feelings about this. I think the premise and setting are absolutely fantastic. Davidson does a phenomenal job at crafting this world and setting you in the muggy bayous that host this sordid tale. I grew up along the Texas Gulf Coast, and a lot of the details he provides are absolutely spot on.
My favorite characters are Isgra the Witch and the unnamed girl at the center of the plot. Isgra especially is such a complex nuanced character, and whenever she was in a scene, it was fantastic. I couldn't help but picture my own Granny in her place.
There's also some pretty brutal and strikingly realistic kills, so that's always a plus.
My main negative with this book is that it feels a bit lost with its identity. I get the sense that it can't tell if it wants to be folk horror, crime drama, or something else. There's aspects of Eastern European mythology smashed in with Southern Gothic, and the resulting mix isn't quite what it could be. There are elements of magic and monsters, yes, but they're often set aside to explore the very human side of this world more.
My super petty critique is this: During the climax of this book, people are getting hacked at with machetes, shot, beat, and more. Our main character, the titular Boatman's Daughter Miranda, spends most of this time just kind of going to and fro doing things in a somewhat unbothered manner. Like, ma'am, your brother is currently being tortured. Can we pick up the pace a bit??
In fact, a number of characters make bafflingly awful decisions, seemingly in sole focus of moving the plot, Miranda and John Avery being the two main contenders.
One final thing, and this is a positive, I love that trope where a bad guy recognizes the strength of their adversary and instead of pursuing them further leaves with a sense of respect. This book does that, and I liked if a lot.
This could have been much more than it was, and that's got me feeling aimless like a rudderless allumicraft in a bayou.