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A review by sophiejohn
Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
What...what do I even say about this book? Ash Davidson, you are a fucked up lady who can WRITE.
The first thing I have to say about this book is that it is LONG. Way longer than necessary. Like the end just kept going and the first third of the book was very drawn out. The first third though, I get that. The worldbuilding in this was totally immersive, and it had to be because PNW logging culture in the 1970s is incredibly niche. So I think that the first third to half is a character study that provides the necessary context in the fall and early winter months to understand the nuances of the actions that the characters take when the plot starts to snowball in the late winter to spring-summer months.
Emotionally, this was a roller coaster. The writing was out of this world to me, but the cover looks way too happy for this ultimately devastating book.
having rich die at the end felt like it undid all the tension that had been so carefully built throughout the very long story. I was hoping for some kind of payoff - and we were about to get it, too. in the last 50-85 pages (I think? I read this digitally), I felt like I was gulping water after being thirsty all day, then the bottom just fell out of my glass.
also the dog stuff? fucked. sick in the head. my mental health during this book was hanging on the thread that is scout the dog, most tender and loyal hound, and Ash Davidson just snipped it (like that other dog's vocal cords 😳).</spoiler
The first thing I have to say about this book is that it is LONG. Way longer than necessary. Like the end just kept going and the first third of the book was very drawn out. The first third though, I get that. The worldbuilding in this was totally immersive, and it had to be because PNW logging culture in the 1970s is incredibly niche. So I think that the first third to half is a character study that provides the necessary context in the fall and early winter months to understand the nuances of the actions that the characters take when the plot starts to snowball in the late winter to spring-summer months.
Emotionally, this was a roller coaster. The writing was out of this world to me, but the cover looks way too happy for this ultimately devastating book.
also the dog stuff? fucked. sick in the head. my mental health during this book was hanging on the thread that is scout the dog, most tender and loyal hound, and Ash Davidson just snipped it (like that other dog's vocal cords 😳).</spoiler
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Miscarriage, and Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Blood
Minor: Colonisation