I know it is only February, but Tiffany McDaniel's On The Savage Side is certainly going to be on my best of the year list. This book blew me away. It is brutal, but so well-written with a main character that has such a voice she became real to me. It was not just her, it was every character Momma, Aunt Clover, Mamaw Milkweed, Sage Nell, Thursday, Violet. I heard them all and I cant stop thinking about them.

This book is about how heroin infests itself into a family unit and a community. Daffy and Arc are twins who live in poverty in Chillicothe, Ohio in a home plagued by addiction. From very early on, they are on their own and are forced to cope. They are all the kids who society has let down. The book tells their story and that of their friends in a poor community that offers little hope. It is so much easier to look the other way when these things don't impact you on your day-to-day life. This book forces you to look it straight on. It is not an easy read, but it is worth your time.

All the trigger warnings apply here. While it is a hard book to read, it was one that I read in a day and had trouble putting down.

On the Savage Side is a poetically dark and twisted story. This is not your average novel. The entire time I was reading it, I could not stop thinking about what the authors headspace must have been like while writing it. I read a lot of books with darkness, murder, harrowing tales, etc. But this is one of the roughest ones I’ve ever read.

The writing is amazing, engaging, and I loved the plot. Not to mention the illustrations and the physical book itself, which was so beautiful and creative! I’ll be honest, the only reason I removed a star was because this book was truly so heartbreaking that I did not always enjoy reading it, even if I really did like the work itself.
On the Savage Side does not shy away from the gruesome realities of addiction and prostitution, and knowing that it’s inspired by a true story makes it feel even more real.

If you can handle these kinds of dark and potentially triggering subject matters and you don’t mind having your heart broken, this one’s for you.

Absolutely chilling.

It’s there in the title and you should take it as a warning: This book is savage. It’s a painful, visceral, heartbreaking read that reached right into my stomach, womb, heart, and brain with long fingers filled with beautiful words, ugly secrets, horrific scenes, and nauseating characters in a way no book has for a good long time now.

I don’t get book hangovers that often, but I’m telling you that after I closed this book I felt like a deflated balloon, a crushed soda can, or maybe even a flattened cardboard box. I feel drained, dried out, and just worn at the seams.

Tiffany McDaniel has weaved a spell on this book that I don’t think will allow any reader to escape unscathed. You might try your hardest to harden your heart, but I can guarantee that between all the dark, dirty, sad, and desperate things that occur during this book you will definitely find yourself feeling something, and McDaniel’s writing will pierce you deeply.

I found myself thinking of my review for Erin Kate Ryan’s release from last year, Quantum Girl Theory, where I said: “Is every missing girl the same as every other missing girl, or do some missing girls count for more?…When do people just give up on missing girls, and when does a missing girl stop being just a missing girl and becomes more of a distant memory?” This book’s thesis is rightfully on the side of some missing girls counting for more, but the book is also clear in pointing out that no one cares about missing girls much at all, no matter who they are or what they do for a living–not as long as men make all the rules and enforce them. As long as men hold the reins, we will be under their hooves.

McDaniel’s prose is bewitchingly beautiful, even when what’s happening is horrible and depraved. This book has the most melancholy and lovely passages told from the POV of the river, and even as the river describes matters such as the decomposition of the human body, there’s something poetic and naturally calming about these passages, like the river is trying to reassure us readers that she is taking care of the bodies that find their way into her waters, that the breaking down of their physical bodies is something natural and nothing to be afraid of. It was what happened before those bodies entered her currents that’s to be feared. What’s simultaneously gutting and healing are these quasi autopsy reports that crop up periodically throughout the book, which you would have to see for yourself to understand what I’m talking about.

There is not a single character in this book who is even close to whole. They’re all broken into pieces, but how many pieces differ from character to character, and varies depending on where each character is in their life as the book goes on. The way McDaniel writes them, though, you could think that even the most shattered people are the most lovely and the people who seem like they might actually be living a more complete life are carrying the ugliest secrets.

A special toast to McDaniels for the courage she showed not only in writing this book, but in the way she chose to write it. It couldn’t have been easy to make the choices she did, but she made them all the same. Not only was I close to gobsmacked, but I couldn’t think of a more perfect ending.

I was provided with a copy of this book by NetGalley and the author. All views and opinions expressed in this review are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: General Fiction/Literary Fiction/Psychological Fiction/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Crime Thriller/Murder Thriller/OwnVoices/5 Star Reads/Crime Thriller/Genre Mashup

I was excited to read this after loving Betty, this authors previous work. This wasn’t for me though. For some reason I didn’t connect with the story or characters like I did Betty, which made it hard to get through.

This was a hard book to read for me. It was mainly about the twins and their deplorable life conditions as they grow up. The story of the missing women was what I had chosen this book for so it didn’t have what I was looking for. The writing is excellent the subject matter, even if it’s how things are in some areas, is too awful for me. I know this happens in real life and wish it didn’t. Drugs, rape and hopelessness is just too depressing for me. Tiffany McDaniel has a beautiful way of writing I’m sure another book I would enjoy more. Thank you NetGalley and Knopf and author for this eARC.

This book is extremely powerful and lyrical but also tragic, heartbreaking, and disturbing. Read with care!

This was so brutal but beautifully told.. A story that will stay with me for a long, long time.

Thank you to the publisher's for the review copy <3

On the savage side is exceptionally well written, but very dark and heartbreaking. The story goes back and forth between past and present lives of Arc and Daffy, twin daughters of addict parents left to fend for themselves at a young age, and then in their early twenties as addicts themselves in a town where their friends are turning up dead. This is inspired by the true story of the unsolved murders of the Chillicothe six. With all the brutal and disturbing parts there was also beauty and hope. This is one that will definitely stick with me.

Another outstanding book from Tiffany Mcdaniel, she REALLY knows how to write a sad story. I think this is the saddest book I have ever read, absolutely full of despair and hopelessness - not one for the faint hearted. Chilling and magnificent, Arc & Daffy will be sure to stay with me.

I’ve never read anything like this before & I’m still trying to figure out how to concisely describe it. This explored the victims who aren’t shiny & bright on the news when they go missing- but are as deserved of safety as any other woman. This was a harrowing, deeply discomforting narrative.

Thank you so much @netgalley @aaknopf & Tiffany McDaniel for the eArc!

A new entry to my TOP TEN FAVE BOOKS 👀

After falling in love with Tiffany McDaniel’s writing in BETTY, I knew I needed ON THE SAVAGE SIDE. Boyyyy - what 👏🏻 a 👏🏻 book 👏🏻 All the stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Just like BETTY, be prepared for another emotionally raw, powerful and heartbreaking read.

Set in Chillicothe, Ohio, this story is loosely inspired by the unsolved case of the “Chillicothe Six”, 4 murdered and 2 still missing women. This story follows twin sisters, Arc and Daffy who grow up surrounded by grief, addiction and abuse and how they then struggle with the same issues as parents in their own adult lives.

McDaniel is a phenomenal writer - full of folklore, magic and lyrical writing, you’re instantly drawn in by the characters and fall in love with the Appalachia rural setting, the town itself being like another main character. It’s a town full of contradictions. Beautiful yet ugly at the same time.

Just like the town it is based in, there’s so much more to this story beyond addiction, violence and generational trauma at it’s core it’s also about sisterhood and the relationships we cling on to in dark times - how these “Chillicothe Queens” show up for each other every day.

✨✨ “On The Savage Side.” Mama Milkweed explains to Arc and Daffy that knitted quilts, like life, have a beautiful side—“all the things that make you the happiest”—and a savage side—“the side kind to the mood of monsters and all the things they play with.” ✨✨

Reviewing going up next week on instagram

📖 Book Review 📖

📱 “On The Savage Side” by Tiffany McDaniel

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
published February 14, 2023

I finished this ARC (advanced reader copy- thanks @netgalley) on Tuesday when it was published, however I needed to process such a heavy read. It is a book that at times I struggled with- almost too dark, too bleak, too painful. I wanted to keep going, but I also longed to be done. Its sad themes echoed over and over and really affected me.

This read comes with an assortment of trigger warnings, and yet the writing was beautiful; full of intricate details of things we as humans tend to turn away from because we don’t like to see how hard or painful other people’s lives are.

The story is about Arc & Daffy, identical redheaded twin girls born to a way too young heroin addicted mother and father. Their future is set for failure right away. The only hope is Mamaw Milkweed, their maternal grandmother, but an accident takes her too soon as well. Never apart, the girls disappear into their imaginations and forge a world all their own. Neglected, abused, forgotten and forced into adult situations at a very young age-Arc and Daffy form a bond with a few similar young women, and end up working the streets to get their next meal, and high. They go down to the river to get high and ironically, this is the same place the bodies are found. Their friendships face a tumultuous journey through peaks and valleys and all they have to depend on is each other. But as more and more drowned bodies are found, they must become savage to survive.
 

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This book is beautiful and sad and haunting. It will stick with me for a long time.

Inspired by the unsolved murders of six women in Chillicothe, Ohio, "On the Savage Side" tells a story of sisterhood, friendship, motherhood and the ravages of addiction. Not a comfortable read but an important one. A gorgeous literary tale with a couple twists that will surprise you.

Thank you to Knopf and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this book for my honest review.

“My mamas used to say that in life there is a savage side. But she also said you could turn the savage side beautiful.”

Tiffany McDaniel’s On the Savage Side is a book that I know I’ll keep thinking about for the rest of the year. Inspired by the unsolved murders of Chillicothe Six victims, we follow the life story of Arc and Daffy, twin sisters, through Arc’s perspective. This is a really heavy and dark book to read, dealt with abuse, drug use, generational trauma and sexual assault. However, McDaniel’s poetic writing made me want to keep reading the book.

A really heartbreaking traumatic tale of the underprivileged women struggling through lives. I’ve not heard of the Chillicothe Six before reading this book and appreciate McDaniel bringing more attention to their stories. I also don’t know anyone suffering with drug use, and this story really showed me a different perspective to view those struggling through addiction.

“Addiction is a thief. It steals the minutes from the day. The color of the sky. It steals the hero from the story, the leaves on the trees, the answer to the question, Who am I?”

5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf Publishing for the free e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

I started this book because of my major FOMO and it did not disappoint!!

On The Savage Side is a thriller-like literature that is inspired by real incidents and unsolved murders of the Chillicothe Six. The story is dark and focuses mainly on female pain, so beware that it might not be everyone’s thing. I love female centric stories so I loved reading this one although it depressed me at the end. Among the triggers are murder, death, addiction and poverty. Make sure you discuss this story with people who have read it, or read with a group . Can make you sad and ugly cry!

Thank you Knopf for the eARC

This was not a book for me. I can see how some people will love it, but all the extra descriptions and folklore was just too much for me. I knew what the big twist was less than halfway through the book.

On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel is a heartbreakingly sad book. It can be hard to read at times because of the subject matter. The writing itself flows and has a lyrical quality to it. Sister stories are always a big draw for me but throwing in addiction made this heavier than my usual read. I’m really happy I read it as it made a huge impression on me.

Daffodil and Arcade really never stand a chance based on their upbringing. Trauma after trauma infects their childhood like an illness. A cycle of sexual exploitation continues, and is highlighted when women start disappearing, women like themselves.
They aren’t important enough to matter in the eyes of police, and they continue to be victimized.
A sad story told in a beautiful, lyrical way is such a juxtaposition. Based on the missing women of Chillicothe, Ohio, On The Savage Side is heartbreaking and beautiful.

Pub date: 2/14/23 (out now!)
Genre: literary fiction, suspense
Quick summary: Arcade and Daffodil are twins growing up in Chillicothe, Ohio, where they are endangered by poverty, the opioid epidemic, and a serial killer.

This book was a 5-star read for me, but I want to make it clear that this is not a book for everyone. There is somev very heavy subject matter - murder, child sexual abuse and neglect, miscarriage, drug abuse, extreme poverty - essentially pretty much every trigger warning you can think of. I thought McDaniel's earlier book BETTY was devastating, but somehow ON THE SAVAGE SIDE is even more so.

So why did I give this book 5 stars? A few reasons: 1. I had to force myself to stop reading it so I didn't devour it in one sitting and end up too sad to sleep. 2. McDaniel's writing is so lyrical and beautiful despite the heavy topics she writes about. 3. I know this story and its characters will stay with me for a long time.

If you're read books about dark topics, you may think you've read this book before. But you haven't - McDaniel does a beautiful job centering Arcade, Daffodil, and their friends, making this their story, not the story of the man or the other dark forces terrorizing their community. It reminded me of LONG BRIGHT RIVER in its focus on the women who are so often forgotten.

If you're going to read this one, I recommend buddy reading it with friends - this is one you will want to discuss!

Thank you to Knopf for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Be warned, this book is brutal. It’s written beautifully (though it did take me a while to really vibe with the lyricism), but the amount of suffering within its pages is tough to get through.

Inspired by the real, unsolved murders of the Chillicothe Six, the book tells the story of Arc and Daffy, twins being raised in a dying rust belt town besieged by the opioid crisis. When women start turning up in the river, Arc tries to find the River Man before she and her sister are his next victims.

McDaniel reveals a humanity in these victims - sex workers, addicts - that is often overlooked, and for that I deeply appreciate this book. However, I cannot stress enough how relentlessly depressing the story is. Also, there is a “twist” towards the end of the book that just didn’t work and felt like a cheap ploy to better fit into the thriller genre. This is not a thriller or even a mystery. It is a literary examination of female pain and I wish it had felt comfortable enough in that identity to stick to it.