It doesnt support or open after I download the protected pdf version of it.

It's also not showing in my shelf in netgalley and I cant open it to read

Please look into the issue and if you can send me the pdf in my mail ID- taniagungunsarkar@gmail.com

I cant read the book from here.

Please look into the issue and deliver me the book to review properly, moreover i was pretty excited about this book

2.5 stars

I wanted to like this graphic novel much more than I did. The premise and the first half are enticing. Then the paranormal/occult/gothic element enters, and it becomes not dark and disconcerting, but so scattered that the narrative completely loses its impact. I am left wondering what even happened, and not in a good way.

Thank you to Adam Smith, Matthew Fox, Archaia Publishing, and NetGalley for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

There is a point in The Down River People that left me stunned and wondering what the hell just happened. Much of the early parts of The Down River People I feel are Smith and Fox articulating the feelings of pain and isolation that people grieving go through. The staggeringly difficulty of going on with life after the death of someone you love is something that Myers labours through.

The things we inherit from family is another theme that runs through the novel. Untangible treasures such as the memories of being together and more difficulty concrete things like financial difficulties. Myer and his father, Darnell, both seem to suffer from similar bouts of mental illness to the extent that Darnell shares his way of coping; by standing in the river and waiting for the feelings to pass.

The script is heartfelt and captures both a sense of place and authenticity around the people that live there. Oddly, it reminded me of Where the Crawdad Sings. The Down River People works as well as it does because of its setting. The Down River People is a stranger book than Delia Owen’s book. Still, they both evoked the same feelings of empathy and sorrow in me. I was expecting it the continue to be a slice of life story that follows Myers as he copes with his grief which it sort of does.

Without giving spoilers, The Down River people starts as one story and finishes as a different one, one that is stranger and more profound. As mentioned before, there are points in the story that I found shocking, devastating, and confusing in the best possible way. As Southern Gothic goes, this is one of the best examples of the genre in graphic novel form.

Myers strained relationship with his estranged mother and his stepfamily forms the bedrock for the latter half of the novel. It is here that Smith takes the most narrative risks, ones that pay off in unexpected ways.

The art is bewitching. The style of it wrong-foots you as much as the script does. Hues of depressing blues and browns colour every page. Despite it being set in the south, there is little brightness or light. There is a down to earth quality to it, a world-weariness in the character and place designs that creates a sense of realism. Mathew Fox does a superb job of composing his images, and there is a fluid quality to the way he lays out the panels. There are some astoundingly powerful illustrations in the book, especially later on. Mike Fiorentino lettering deserves mention; he does an excellent job.

I suffered a bereavement last year; this story hit a soft spot in me. The start of it left me feeling unsettled, but it is a sensitive exploration of grief and the need for all of us to renew ourselves, however hard that may be. 2021 is turning out to be a fantastic year for graphic novels; this is one of the best. The Down River People is an absorbing story that will leave you reflecting on long after you have put it down. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I LOVED this. I just didn't get it.

The confusion is two-fold. First, with The Down River People itself, and second, at the fact that I was able to enjoy something so immensely without actually understanding what happened in the end.

The Down River People did for me what a string of recently-read graphic novels couldn't: it sucked me in right from the first page, and it did so through perfect pacing, beautiful artwork, and immediately engaging characters. From the get-go, I felt like I knew exactly what kind of tone and atmosphere the authors were trying to get across, and I knew the main character's grief and loss like I was reading a descriptive novel. I really think this one is going to stick with me for a while.

I just wish I understood it all, you know? The climax was no less fantastical than I was anticipating, but the resolution (can I even call it that?) and ending left me near-clueless and confused. The author's note at the end points to the underlying themes that brought the story about in the first place, but still, I just can't wrap my head around it all, and I desperately wish I could.

I think a few more readings are in order, but I actually don't mind that. Getting to experience the overall feel of this graphic novel for a second time sounds like a ride I'm more than happy to take.

This was pretty good, I think it could have used a lot of further development though. The story was interesting and it could have been much more impactful had there been a few edits done.

The characters didn't have much depth and I really wanted more suspense so I would be scared when the twists came. As it was, it was kind of emotionally bland.

The art was beautiful and the style really complemented the story they were trying to tell.

I loved the mood and style of this comic - Smith deals with grief in a very beautiful and real way, and I really like when Fox's illustrations take a sudden surreal turn. I could have used a little more time and a lot more explanation on the back half of the story; some of the most important plot points almost read like an afterthought.

Downright chilling, and weird in the best way. The artwork is beautiful and definitely transcends the story.

This started out really good--a slice-of-life look at a young guy who's inherited the off the books speakeasy that his dad used to run, after his father's suicide. It's a well-known spot for blues musicians and has a fairly large following in the area. He makes a run for booze and gets caught by the state troopers, who destroy half his shipment. All good so far, told in a way that's fairly lyrical, intermixed with the boy's memories of good times with his dad. Then the mother he hasn't seen in 20-odd years makes an appearance and lets him know he has a half sister. Also, that she could be his liquor supplier going forward. Again, this is all good so far. I'm thinking this is going to be some kind of rural noir and the story and artwork is all pointing in that direction. But no: the mother's new husband is some sort of crackpot minister/cult leader and it turns out the boy and his half-sister have some unclear role to play in some crazy prophecy. And the whole thing just goes to hell. Which is unfortunate, because there was a real craft to the first half of this story. Very disappointing.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, illustrator and publisher for the opportunity to check this out. I am voluntarily leaving a review.

This was an absolute nightmare of a story. Usually when a story deals with grief and loss, the primary emotion that comes through is, you know, sadness, melancholy, maybe catharsis. Here, though? It was sad, yes, but moreover it was creepy as heck. Chilling, even. It kept me unnerved and on edge, start to finish.
The art (which, honestly, I wasn't a fan of- that rough, sketchy style with flat coloring) added to the atmosphere and sense of tension.

The story was bizarre. I thought it was going to be a basic rural crime drama, probably dealing with running illicit substances. Yeah, no. I was so far off the mark. It starts off pretty everyday, but oh wow, it quickly gets really, really weird.

Everything became vague and surreal and I struggled to figure out what was going on. Part of this is because we are given so little information and no backstory or exposition. It kept things creepy, yes, but it made it frustrating, as well. Why are the villains doing what they're doing? How did their organization come into being, and why? The ending is nothing but loose ends and guesswork on the part of the reader.

I really did enjoy it, and think it was an interesting piece, but I did feel a bit cheated by the ending

Shortly after his father dies, Myers is visited by his estranged mother who invites him to visit her mysterious swanky church down river - but what will he find there?

I like me some Southern Gothic, and there are parts of The Down River People that are creeptastic, but the story overall is really slow to get going and utterly baffling in its final act, to the point where it turns into an underwhelming mess.

It isn’t until literally the halfway point of the book that the story started becoming interesting. All that we see up until this point is Myers’ boring life: he has panic attacks, hates the south’s backwards drinking laws, and meets his long-lost ma. Half a book to tell that rubbish? That should’ve been cut down significantly so we could get to Cheston and Elsie’s weirdness quicker.

And I’ll try to keep this review spoiler free, not least because the surprise makes everything that happens in the river church all the more compelling. I’d be recommending this book too except for the ham-fisted way writer Adam Smith handles the final act. There’s the kind of artistic, impressionistic writing that allows for multiple interpretations of a story and then there’s the kind of writing that tries for that but, due to a lack of ability, as well as information, creates an incoherent and unsatisfying mush instead; unfortunately this is the latter.

There’s just too many questions that leave the reader hanging. Why people are doing what they’re doing, what it all means, how does Cheston do what he does - there shouldn’t be this many question marks, considering the nearly 100 pages that are wasted on the tedious first half that could’ve been used to provide at least some answers or hint at the point of the story.

Conversely, Matthew Fox’s art is beautiful and skilful, and Myers’ dream sequence was really something - haunting and imaginative. And, while confusing, the imagery of the final act was equally eye-catching.

There are parts of the story that are genuinely gripping, and the art is great, but the first half of the book is too dull and the ending much too garbled to recommend this one. In the hands of a better writer The Down River People could be good, but, as it is, it ain’t.

I started this book because of the art, the color choices. Matthew Fox drew beautiful skylines and great images throughout this story. I am not the typical comic/graphic novel reader. I do not read super hero sagas. I prefer one-offs and nonfiction. The story here by Adam Smith was riveting from the get go. I found myself wanting the book to just keep going, to expand all around and not reach a finish. The images of Myers' dad helping him through things was touching. The power in the his response to Myers' question "What if there's something wrong with me?" "There's something wrong with everyone, son. It's what makes us human." The uniqueness of running a speakeasy was a fascinating part of this story.

The Short Version: A macabre tale with a supernatural twist about how we deal with death...and life that sucks you in like swamp mud.

The Long version: Myers has just lost his dad to suicide and is trying to cope with how to go on with his life. The story starts pretty straightforward and feels like it will be a drama about loss and coping. It has a crooked sheriff (a bit stereotypical but thoroughly unlikable) a country bar, and a real down home feel. Then the story takes an intriguing hard left turn into the supernatural. The major themes still remain, but it evolves into a much different story with much higher stakes. Don’t want to giveaway too much about the plot though.

The artwork is excellent, the comic is laid out in an easily understandable fashion, and the story keeps the pages turning. About 80% of the way through this thing was a home run.

The ending though isn’t satisfying. Little is done to really explain the supernatural elements, they’re kind of just left there as window dressing. Also in thinking back, the story had a big set up with the local law enforcement and that storyline feels like there’s a ton more to tug at, but it’s used primarily as a red herring to get into the supernatural storyline later on.

I feel like there’s a lot of story in this world they created but we just get a glimpse of it. This easily could be a 2 or 3 part story about this town and these folk, so I’m left wanting more. Even so, the novel is thoroughly engrossing and one I’d recommend strongly.

Overall a very engrossing 4 out of 5 that might leave you wanting a touch more.

Component Ratings
Concept/Idea: 4 out of 5
Artwork: 5 out of 5
Layout: 5 out of 5
Dialogue: 4.5 out of 5
Characters: 4 out of 5
Character development: 3.5 out of 5
Plot: 4 out of 5
Ending: 3.5 out of 5
Theme(s): 4 out of 5

In The Down River People, Myers Carpenter inherits The Flatbed, his family’s bar. To keep the business running, he needs to find a new supplier of booze. Sounds simple? Well, it isn't. He turns for help to his estranged mother, uncovering a previously unknown half-sister in the process.

I liked this part of the story. Myers suffers from anxiety and the writing (plus a nice art) appealed to me. Unfortunately, there's more to Myers' mother business than meets the eye. I can't say I liked the ending. I found it rather disappointing.

All told, an ok read with great beginning, solid middle, and divisive ending.

Myers' dad has recently died, and he has inherited his dad's bar. Myers' has also inherited his dad's anxiety disorder, making him short of breath at inopportune moments. Myers is still learning how to run the bar, and is having problems with the state police of the state he has to cross to buy new booze - it is a dry state, so he isn't allowed to move alcohol through it, but the police used to turn a blind eye to his dad, but not to Myers.

Then Myers' mother, who he hasn't seen in years, re-enters his life. She has remarried, to some kind of preacher, and they offer to sell him the alcohol he needs for the bar. So far so good, this reads like an interesting slice-of-life story, a contained drama with realistic stakes.

And then it turns out the preacher husband leads a cult and the story goes to ridiculous places. Maybe it's my age (I'm an ancient 43, no, no really!), but I was so disappointed. I'd much rather have had a straight, heartfelt drama. The whole cult storyline feels a forced (this is what we do in comics), and in the end it's strangely dull.

It's a shame, because I really like the art, which also seems more suitable for a grounded, real story, than the swerve into genre fiction it struggles to depict in the latter third of the book.

It's a 3.5 from me.

There were a lot of things I liked about this book. The wrenching personal and family drama descending into a horror story of a different stripe was a fascinating progression. The end was a little muddled for me and there were times I felt like the story jumped, but it was still a solid read.

This book is extremely confusing. It starts off as an interesting if somber look at grieving but more than halfway in it completely shifts genre. I wouldn’t mind such a shift except the second section is pretty hard to understand. I don’t really understand who the antagonists are, what they were doing or what they want.

Picked this up because it really had an interesting premise and I liked it overall. The art and colors make everything feel very atmospheric which added to the reading experience, although I don't think its my favorite art style. I think I enjoyed the first half more although later on it was more action packed. The later half was also a bit more confusing and I think I only got about half of what was going on. The ending kind of confused me too. Still, I enjoyed reading it and I admire how the author really manages to transmit grief into words and art.

Atmospheric, sorrowful, and deeply personal, the author clearly accomplished what he set out to do with this story. I think that it is well-crafted and well-illustrated. That being said, although I think it's objectively well-done, I'm not sure it's really for me. This may be a result of the genre; I don't generally read things like this, although I was very intrigued by the premise. I found the pacing a little off; it started off slow, then accelerated dramatically towards the end, at which point I found it hard to follow exactly what was happening. Even now after reading it, I'm not sure what exactly happened to the characters, and what I'm supposed to take away from it. I don't regret reading it, and it's definitely worth a read for those interested, but I'm not sure I entirely get it.

Interesting plot and story line. Combines mental health, suicide, family issues, the occult and small southern towns into a graphic novel that dips into the supernatural element. Likely will need to read twice to fully understand the story.