This was my first McDaniel book and I thought I was ready for the hurt, but I don't think I truly was;
It took me a while to get through it because of how hard of a read it was ; but it was definitely worth it.
I feel like I was truly sucked into the despair these women felt every day. It was such a raw and compelling story of the forgotten women of society. Brave women, mothers, daughters, sisters, friends ; just omen who the system completely abandonned ; women who have been through the worst and nobody even tried to help them so they had to help themselves. So it's not pretty, and it doesn't have a happy ever after, but it's their lives and that's it.

Thank you NetGalley, Knopf and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one was very heavy and emotional - it’s definitely a book to read when you’re in the right frame of mind. But it was also wonderfully written and you’ll learn a lot if you make it through!

This was my first Tiffany McDonald and it will not be my last. It was very emotional and intense which makes for an engaging read. I would recommend this book

An atmospheric Appalachian gothic, the state of Ohio and the Chillicothe River are characters in their own right — something I haven’t experienced on this level since reading White Oleander.

What a ride this was. Set in a small Appalachian town, it follows the lives of twin sisters, both grappling with their dark pasts, the violent world around them, and their struggle for agency. McDaniel's writing is lush and atmospheric, blending beauty with brutality, as she delves into the impact of systemic neglect and the persistence of love. While the novel is emotionally intense and filled with sorrow, it also carries a sense of resilience and hope amidst despair. McDaniel’s raw, evocative prose leaves a lasting impression, making this novel a powerful exploration of human endurance and the complexity of the human spirit.

This was a masterpiece. There is no other word to describe what this book is. Do not go into this book thinking you will have a good time, because you won’t, but you will be missing out so much if you don’t read it.

Trigger warning: addictions, trauma and very graphic

Based on real life events the characters are very well written. The story is very dark in nature, so make sure you are in the right head space when you read it.

Thank you #NetGalley, # Knopf, Pantheon,VintageandAnchor, #TiffanyMcDaniel,#OntheSavageSide for the ebook for my honest review.

I've had this on my TBR list for awhile and I'm kicking myself for not reading it sooner. I didn't know much about the case that inspired the book and it did send me down a rabbit hole. The way that McDaniel was able to humanize the women and really make you feel the tragedy they endured that led them to make the choices that led them into a serial killer's sights. The book is a thriller, but it's so much more than that. It really goes into deep characterizations that make you understand that a person is so much more than their addictions. The book is very dark and draining, so you may want to follow up with something light and fluffy as a palate cleanser.

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel. This is fiction, but was inspired by a true story. The story is about Arcade and Daffy, twins who are brought up some by their mother and her sister, both heroin addicts, and some by their grandmother. It is a very sad and depressing story, and I’m sorry to say I did not finish it. I will try to go back at another time to read it, but need to be in the right frame of mind.

The subject matter of this book is heavy and hard to read at times since it covers a lot of triggering topics, so I would recommend checking out content warnings beforehand. That being said though, wow, what a beautifully written book. This was my first Tiffany McDaniel read, but I will definitely be checking out her other works after this.

I felt for Arc and Daffy (along with the other girls) throughout the book, even when they frustrated me. There were those moments when their lives were going well, and then they'd do something to screw that all up. I felt that the portrayal of addiction was very real though and how it consumes lives.

That twist definitely got me, but looking back, there were definitely hints sprinkled throughout. I think this is one of those books where so much more could be discovered from a re-read.

A definite recommend, and I know that I will be thinking about this book for years to come.

On the Savage Side has been on my TBR for over a year. It sounded super interesting, but felt like it would require a lot of mental and emotional energy, so I kept putting it off. I finally picked it up (partially via audio) last week, and I’m glad I finally made the space to read this one.

On the Savage Side is inspired by the Chillicothe Six and follows twins Arcade and Daffodil as they grow up and are faced with the possibility that a killer may walk amongst their community.

I’m a huge crime fiction reader, so the mystery aspect of this story really intrigued me. However, that angle is not super prominent in the novel. While the mystery is essential to the plot, the story is more focused on the family drama and relationships between Arcade and Daffodil. The twists and tension aren’t completely forgotten though, as there are some plot points that definitely surprised me.

While I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading literary fiction about sisters or generational trauma, I will caution all readers that this book is heavy. There’s a lot of discussion about and descriptions of drug use in addition to other heavy topics around family and death, so take care and look up content warnings before reading.

On the Savage Side is available now. Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

the ending of this book will bump anyone’s rating up. in fact, it is an ending—which i’ve only felt one other time—that made me immediately revisit it in its entirety because it contextually flips you over yourself. and in mcdaniel style, it is with great heaviness one rates this book highly, but one also cannot help but do so.

Tiffany McDaniel writes an emotional, gut-wrenching story inspired by the unsolved murders of the Chillicothe Six. Instead of focusing on the serial killer, McDaniel focuses on the women, women who have odds stacked against them: victims of systemic poverty, generational abuse, and drug addiction. In other words, women who live on the savage side of life. However, McDaniel quickly points out these women were not born troubled. As children, they had hopes and dreams to be more than what surrounded them.

The Savage Side is my first book by Tiffany McDaniel. Her writing style is exceptional, as she skillfully portrays a brutal and unrelenting world that grips you emotionally. With her meticulous attention to character development, McDaniel keeps you invested in the story. She seamlessly weaves the plot and characters together to create an unforgettable, albeit heartbreaking, tale that will leave you wanting to read it more than once.

Dark. Haunting. I felt myself cringing and sad at multiple parts. Please make sure you are in the right head space before starting this book.

Twin sisters Arc and Daffy grow up in a poor neighborhood. They are raised by their addict mother and aunt. The only thing keeping them going is the love and wisdom from their grandmother. Entering their 20s, Daffy and Arc try to find their way while battling loss and addiction. During this time, fellow sex workers are found dead in the Chillicothe river.

Marketed as a mystery, but I found it to be more of a character study of women dealing with addiction. There is a little bit of mystery thrown in, since it is based on the unsolved murders of the Chillicothe Six. Beautiful writing and characters you truly won’t forget. By the end I felt deeply connected to Daffy and Arc. They felt real and my heart hurt for everything they went through. I will say, there is a twist at the end that caught me off guard. I honestly wish the author did without it…despite this, I still recommend this book. I think it would be perfect for a book club discussion.

4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARCg in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to buy the lipstick color they used on the cover of this book. Such a cool vibe. In this compelling narrative, the author deftly explores themes of love, loss, and redemption against a backdrop of vividly rendered settings. The characters leap off the page, their struggles and triumphs resonating with readers on a deeply emotional level. With a masterful blend of suspense and introspection, this book keeps readers eagerly turning pages until the very end. A testament to the power of storytelling, this is a book that lingers in the mind long after it's been read, inviting reflection and sparking conversation.

This was the first book I have read by this author and let me say it was the weirdest book I have ever read. It was one of those I can't really tell if I liked it or not. It didn't take very long for me to read it. I probably would still recommend this book.

"On the Savage Side" by Tiffany McDaniel is a raw and immersive journey through the complexities of love, loss, and survival in a harsh world. McDaniel's lyrical prose and vivid imagery paint a haunting portrait of characters grappling with their own demons and the unforgiving landscape of rural America. This gripping novel challenges conventions and leaves a lasting impression with its poignant storytelling and unforgettable characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Receiving an advanced copy was a delightful surprise. I believe both existing fans and newcomers will find it equally enjoyable.

This is a well written book. It has some fine lines, a few well-conceived set pieces, a fair share of perceptive and insightful observations, and lean dialogue. That said, try as I might I found neither the characters, nor their situations, nor the overall narrative engaging enough to arouse or hold my curiosity and attention. As a consequence, it doesn't seem fair to write much more of a review, apart from encouraging inquisitive readers to give the book a try.

Can a book be beautifully written showcase the ugly side of addiction. If so, this book does that. It is a powerful but sad read.