This was a mixed bag for me. I loved the setting and the general eerie quality of the bayou - it had a ring of True Detective about it, which I appreciated. I also enjoyed the folktale elements of the narrative and I thought the author did a good job of weaving these into the plot. I struggled with the characters and more specifically, character motivation and I found it hard to keep the characters straight in my mind. Overall, this was a book full of vibes but a little lacking in substance for me.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

DNF at 29%, starting listening to this on audio and the prologue was full of vibes that I was really digging, but it quickly turned into something that I wasn't expecting and I was bored. I tried going back to the e-book in case it was the narrator, but no still bored. I couldn't do it to myself so had to DNF, sorry.

I absolutely enjoyed this book! The poetic prose is perfectly matched with enthralling storytelling, compelling characters and a magnificent setting. Miranda is strong, capable, protective and has integrity, even though her work is morally objectionable. She cares for the old witch, Iskra, who raised her after her father’s death, and a special boy, Littlefish, who she sees as her brother. I love found family tropes and this book has the best of it. They are different people brought together under terrible circumstances yet you could feel their love and care for each other.

The book also has some really messed up villains, the kind of humans that are more terrifying than any supernatural entities. Billy Cotton, the mad preacher, is the kind of character you never want to meet again. He’s surrounded by men like Charlie Riddle, a corrupt one-eyed sheriff, and John Avery, a dwarf looking after his own interests. But the aforementioned supernatural entities are not to be dismissed either. Bringing in Slavic mythology by giving form to spirits such as the bathhouse demon Bannik, the book conveys the terror of the mystical and the unknown.

I do think this book is a slow burn and in this age of too many books too little time, I can understand if readers might not have the patience for it. But I promise you the payoff is worth it! I felt emotionally connected to the characters. After the intense ride through hell, the ending is surprisingly hopeful. There are some visual images that stayed in my mind long after I finished the book. This is a stunning, poignant dark fairy tale about family, loss, justice and survival. Highly recommended!

A dark, dark fantasy-crime-folktale concoction, The Boatman’s Daughter is an unusual modern fairytale. Davidson gets across the heaviness of the character’s lives and the character of the swampy landscape superbly. It’s undeniably bleak, and Davidson sprinkles its magical elements with a heavy dose of grit. I’m not sure I’ve read anything quite like it before, and the balance between the elements is intriguing. Poetically written, which for me at times can make it hard to get into, once you’re absorbed in it the images it leaves on your brain are lasting.

trigger warning
<spoiler> attempted infanticide, mutilation, torture, implied child rape, self harm, alcoholism, drug abuse </spoiler>

Though her life is not how she wants it, Miranda tries to keep everything as it is to protect others, until her boss demands something she won't do.

The swampy waters of the bayou are full of magic and all characters are morally grey. The question is, how far will each of them go to shield loved ones, and when will it become too much - and how will they respond to that. The horror is two-fold: the nightmare that is drug trafficking with added-on prostitution that might not even halt before children, and demon things that can be called to do one's bidding, for a price.
Then they have to deal with legacies. Everyone knows that the old woman is a witch, but she never bothered - or maybe decided against it - to train an apprentice, so the things she does are creepingly unfamiliar. The old man living in Sabath House seems to have run a cult, years back, until it crumbled to dust, and now does so many illegal things to keep himself afloat, counting on the obedience of his minions.

It was not for me. On one hand, the atmosphere was something I wished for in the heatwave, and I am a mood reader. Also, I am dealing with brain fog right now, and I am very sure it took some of my enjoyment of this away.
The rating is more me than the book, because the writing is cool.

The arc was provided by the publisher.

I began reading in fits and starts, the opening chapter had my attention but once we slipped ahead I found if hard to settle into the book or keep track of who or what I was reading about.

The setting is what made me reach for this title initially and it doesn't disappoint! The atmosphere is enhanced by the frequent, unsettling appearance of cranes and claustrophobic humidity Davidson describes. The writing itself is beautifully done, almost lyrical in places, providing a stark contrast to the heinous deeds and deviant characters of The Boatman's Daughter.

As wonderful as the writing may be, I struggled to keep a bead on what was really going on. I felt there were large pieces missing, as if the novel was heavily edited leaving the story some what of a stutter.
There were glimpses into character motivations but very little development or even much personality.

At 70% in with a little under an hours worth of reading left I put down The Boatmans Daughter, I just didn't care how it would end.

The Boatman's Daughter is a deliciously dark modern fairy tale that is both weird and wonderful.

From start to finish this story is as taught as a bow string, tension seeping through every page, creating a tempo that keeps you desperately turning pages to find out what happens next. The lyrical writing let's the dark tale unfold in a beautiful way and each moment feels visual and alive.

I loved the depth of each character and how much presence they had on the page. Their thoughts, feelings and motives so thoughtfully crafted that their stories create an emotional and deep impact to the story. The setting felt like a character of it's own because of how detailed it was and I loved the prominence of nature within the story.

I can't say much more without giving too much away and this is definitely a book you should go into blind, so all in all, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed this. If you are looking for an atmospheric read that is perfect for the autumnal season that will send a chill up your spine and keep you on edge, this is it.