Lottie grows up in a small Appalachian town living with her grandma and uncle. What we see depicted is small town life in a dysfunctional family. We see the painful decisions that each person makes to survive. We see generations of trauma and the scars they leave. Some people survive and persevere, some people are broken and must find any way to cope.
This story was well written and had good pacing. We see multiple viewpoints and are provided insight into each character. Feelings of empathy are mixed with sadness, anger, and disgust. I recommend this book.

“It was because she was of the mountains, mind and soul. It was because the hill's dust had settled so deeply into her skin that it appeared a tawny hue.”

Daughter of the mountain is three generation family saga..this is not a happy family and it is not a happy story. There isn't a moment of happiness in this book. It reminded me a lot of Steinbeck work. I loved the prose, the writing style. Even though sad, the story pulled me in and kept me engaged till the last moment.

There are many trigger warnings in this book including child abuse, sexual abuse, bullying and violence.

The story starts with Sara leaving her daughter Lotus in care of her mother Effie and brother Curtis. She has two more brothers but Frank is abusive and bully and Eugene is even though not bad, always follow tracks of Frank. Lottie short for Lotus grows up missing her mother and tries to find where Sara has gone. Effie although caring, her behaviour is outright immature and infuriating.

The last reveal was good , I didn't see it coming at all. I overall liked the book but it annoyed hell out of me how stupid every character behaved. If something is bothering you, why not tell it plain and simple? I still think Sara did what she did coz she saw no choice but atleast do the damn thing after making it clear to your family. Why there's no clear conversation in this family? It really got on my nerve.

Overall I loved the story but because of reasons mentioned above I will be rating it lower than I usually had rated it. Even then I will always remember this book, and it will stay with me for a really long time for sure.

Rating 3.5 stars

Thank you Netgalley and Sherry Parnell for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

« And in that moment, each seemed unable to recognize the other, because altough they had often fought with each other, they had rarely fought for each other. »

This is not a happy book.

This is the story of a broken family that believes it's doomed to live in poverty and abuse.
It's a story of hopelessness, of neglect, of emotional deprivation, of unhappiness, of grief.

Effie, the main character, is a strong woman who thinks that giving love to her children is weakeking them; that, in and of itself, is heartbreaking.

The story is beautifully written, but it's a book that makes you feel uneasy, and even disgusted at times, since there is teen abuse and SA in it.

Nevertheless, it's a book that makes you feel very deeply for those of us who feel like they don't have a choice, like they have no control over their lives. All those who think they are trapped on their mountain.

It made me think of Where the Crawdads Sing; same heavy atmosphere, same determined life, same hardship with the land...

Before reading this book, look at the TW.

"Daughter of the Mountain" is about a family that is dealing with generational traumas set in Appalachia. The reader learns more about the family secrets and how they affect three women. The beginning of the story was started slow. That made it not an easy read to get through. The book consisted of raw emotions and was a really sad story. Overall, this was a good read, but sadly it was not a story I enjoyed reading.

Hats off to Sherry Parnell. I grew up in the mountains...and was immediately drawn in. The story is dark and harrowing, but a really enjoyable read! I was brought into this amazing book from chapter 1. The dialogue is direct, but I loved the strong development of characters. Worth the time to read!

If you’re looking for a new southern gothic novel give this a try. There’s always something eerie about the appalachias and sherry Parnell takes it further in this dark and twisted read.

𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡-𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮. 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙛𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧-𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠.

Talon Ridge, an Appalachian town made up of people who struggle to survive or escape, the mountains deeply ingrained in their souls for better or worse. Effie Bilfrey works her hands to the bone and rents out dilapidated cabins for money, all while trying to keep her boys, ten-year-old Curtis, Frank (16) and Gene (15) fed with a roof over their heads. When her daughter Sarah shows up at the door with two-year-old Lottie by her side she is stunned when Sarah begs her to take her baby in. It’s the last thing she wants to do, but what choice does Effie have, Sarah is taking off to God knows where or why. Curtis obeys and reluctantly helps his niece; he knows better how heavy handed his mother is in seeing her rules enforced. It is Frank who is enraged when he discovers Sarah dumped her child on them and mercilessly teases “Baby Curtis” for tending to her. Curtis had hoped this summer would be his chance to prove his worth, that he could work just as hard as his big brothers and earn money. Instead, he is saddled with babysitting, but he doesn’t blame poor Lottie, it is terrible to be abandoned by your mother. He feels left behind too, he and Sarah had a special bond, he knows she has always been restless, but he never thought she could leave her own child or him without a second thought.

Gene is the opposite of Frank, level headed, even securing a job for the two of them shoveling manure. He is just as worn out as his mother, and tired of being judged by what his wayward brother gets up to. He is also sick and tired of gambling, drunkard Piney Boyer, mean as a snake, and confounded as to why he lives in a cabin rent free. Piney is a dangerous, slippery man and just another battle, another boot on his neck. What does he have over their mother that she tolerates this disgusting man? Their mother doesn’t have much love to give, she demands the boys earn their keep and when it comes to Frank, she has always seemed indifferent. A born fighter, her cruel words and cold ways leave him jealous of her ‘favoritism’ towards Curtis. He sees Lottie as a burden. Gene tries to be better, but it’s hard to see the silver lining when your drowning in the rot of life, he just may succumb in following his wild brother into trouble, or hell.

Effie has her own generational trauma that has made her tongue sharp and her heart hard. Her pain bleeds into her own children, and now granddaughter’s lives and happiness. What made her cold? Lottie comes of age at a loss as to why she was dumped by her mother, surely anywhere she went is better than being left in Talon Ridge. All she has left of Sarah is the cabin they once lived in together, a refuge she loves to visit, and a treasure trove of the diaries she kept. Is it possible she didn’t so much choose to leave but had to? There are skeletons waiting to be dug up, will Lottie get the same raw deal as the women in her family who came before her or will she get out and find a better life? While she has her uncle Curtis’s love, kindness and protection, Piney is sniffing around. Why doesn’t Effie ever protect her brood?

This is a mean tale, but one that tries to explain the cycle of abuse, trauma, and why secret shames get buried. Will Lottie be strong enough to weather the violence of her surroundings? While it’s hard to stomach and feel compassion for Effie, who knows how much they would harden under the weight of what she experienced. You never know until you are tested by life. Certainly, the nature of each character is molded by their environment, if you ponder where mean streaks come from, and what abuse sometimes does to a person, it adds up. Yes, read it but it’s not a happy ending for everyone kind of story.

Published August 15, 2023

This s a book that focuses on three generations of a family living in rural Appalachia. The matriarch of the family, Effie, has four children, the eldest of which is her only daughter, Sarah. Shortly after her eighteenth birthday, Sarah tells her mother that she can no longer stay in Appalachia, leaving her two-year-old daughter, Lottie, with Effie and her brothers. The novel largely follows Lottie as she grows up, who always feels her mother’s absence and her family’s refusal to acknowledge it. The perspective shifts around the family throughout the story, and we get more insight into Effie’s own history and backstory, as well as her complicated relationship with Sarah.

This is one of those books that, on paper, has a lot of elements that I typically like. It’s multi-generational and multi-perspective, and there is an emphasis on the personal histories of the characters. The family dynamics are complicated, and Parnell does a good job of showing how the actions of a young parent can reverberate for generations. She also does a wonderful job of bringing her rural Appalachian setting to life, illustrating its natural beauty and socioeconomic cruelty. Unfortunately, I found the writing style to be somewhat unpolished and awkward at times, which took away from aspects of the book that I would have otherwise enjoyed. Some of the grammar was unrefined, and at times the writing became overly descriptive. There aren’t any egregious grammatical errors, but the writing doesn’t flow and it continuously took me out of the story. I did find the writing to improve somewhat as the novel moved out of the expository chapters and into the second and third acts.

I also found that some aspects of the plot felt like they were somewhat unfinished or contradictory. Some characters that feature prominently in the first part of the novel abruptly disappear for the rest of the novel, with no character growth or arc. I found the end of the novel to be somewhat abrupt as well, leaving me with many questions pertaining to our central characters.

Overall, I was compelled by the idea behind the story and enjoyed the atmosphere of Appalachia portrayed by Parnell. While I found her writing style to fall short of the maturity of the content and tone being developed here, I appreciate what she had to say in this novel.

This is a powerfully written novel, and can be disturbing at times. Many characters, and a multigenerational story of survival. I really enjoyed the way the topics were handled in a very respectful way and found it to be interesting and unique.
Would highly recommend if anyone likes female characters stories and history.

A dark and somber story, however very well written and captivating. I wanted to keep reading to see why Sarah left, but it was a bit tragic for my liking. It is definitely a must read for those looking for a raw, honest and through provoking story.

This is my favorite kind of book to read
Dark, disturbing at times, but real. I wish it only had been longer.

This is a heavy, dark book, although pretty well done. Definitely heed trigger warnings. This book pulls no punches. Definitely immerses you in the poverty and isolation of this family dealing with various generational traumas in Appalachia. Read with care.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for this honest review.

Loved the MC and her family. She was so strong and wanted to just do better. Her family was quite terrible to her, but she kept on going. One character made me want to vomit, ugh. The actions were so terrible.

The setting was awesome and couldn't ask for more. The mountains, but not easy life. Loved it, but man this was a heavy read.

"Daughter of the Mountain" by Sherry Parnell is a profoundly moving and beautifully written exploration of family, secrets, and the enduring impact of generational trauma. Set in the evocative backdrop of the Appalachian town of Talon Ridge, this novel skillfully weaves a narrative that is as emotionally charged as it is thought-provoking.

The heart of the story lies in Effie Bilfrey's quest to uncover the truth behind her daughter Sarah's inexplicable disappearance, leaving behind her young daughter, Lottie. Effie's character is portrayed with a depth and authenticity that makes her pain and determination palpable to the reader. Her journey is not just about solving a mystery; it's a poignant exploration of the enduring love between generations and the lengths a mother will go to protect her family.

Lottie's unwavering determination to unravel her family's secrets and escape the confines of Talon Ridge adds a youthful and relatable dimension to the narrative. Her journey of self-discovery is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, as she confronts the weight of her family's history and the sacrifices made by those who came before her.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its rich and atmospheric portrayal of the Appalachian setting. Parnell's descriptive prose brings Talon Ridge to life, making it a character in its own right. The town becomes a vivid backdrop against which the characters' struggles and triumphs play out.

As the layers of family secrets are peeled back, "Daughter of the Mountain" delves into themes of generational trauma, injustice, and the resilience of the human spirit. The revelations that emerge are shocking and thought-provoking, forcing the characters and readers alike to grapple with the complexities of the past.

In sum, Sherry Parnell's "Daughter of the Mountain" is a literary gem that will resonate with readers on multiple levels. It's a story that tugs at the heartstrings, challenges the mind, and celebrates the enduring strength of women in the face of adversity. This novel is a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the hidden corners of our lives and to heal the wounds of the past. "Daughter of the Mountain" is a must-read for anyone who appreciates beautifully crafted narratives that delve deep into the human experience.

2.5 stars for me.
I originally chose this book because of it being set in Appalachia. You can bet if the setting is Appalachia or the Ozarks I’m reading it! This book is set in the 1980s/90s but I can see where the reader might think it was the 1920s/30s. I myself had to stop and remind myself of the time period. I think it’s easy to forget that that area (especially deep mountain area) was behind more than the rest of the country. Or rather it was often a choice to be behind on the times. It seems like the characters made that choice or rather inherited it as many also have. I honestly wish the book did take place in later history but that’s a preference.
This book took me SO long to read 😅 honestly it was until about 75% way through that I actually even remotely enjoyed it. This book DRAGGED and I almost DNF at 50%… but I pushed on. I’m glad I did in the end because the last couple pages were very good.
The ending was dark (we love a good unhappy ending) but I felt like only one “twist” was unpredictable. The rest I could easily tell were things were going or was close to it. Nevertheless the ending is what bumped it up to 2.5.
I really did not care for any of the characters and sometimes found them repetitive and annoying with their characteristics and the way they spoke to each other.
I can appreciate strong will of each character though. But that’s about it.
Overall, this book was way too slow in the beginning to make it an enjoyable read for me. No characters spoke to me and they will probably be gone from my memory in a few days time. I wish the beginning of the book had half the wow factor that the ending had.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book!

Loved, loved, loved this book. I think it should be made into a movie. Especially the twists at the end. I have got to say I didn’t see that coming. The subject matter may be a bit triggering for persons who have experienced similar issues (not to give up too many spoilers) but I have already recommended this book to friends!

This is such a sad, heart wrenching story at times, but it leaves you with hope for the future. The books has a warning for the content Overall, I found a place in my heart for this multigenerational group of women.

Sherry Parnell has done a brilliant job capturing the desolation of living in a poor area. I could almost smell the mildew in the shacks. An age old drama that, sadly, still plays out today. Well done.

I absolutely love this book. The characterization and plot are engaging and original, and the language and structure have a classic feel. It is definitely on my list I would like to adopt into my courses.

Daughter of the Mountain
Sherry Parnell

4 Stars

Thank you NetGalley for my copy of Daughter of the Mountain by Sherry Parnell. I have not received any compensation for this review. All thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own and mine alone.

In summary: To put trigger warnings of drug use, rape and domestic violence was appropriate in this book. Taking place in the mid 1970’s and 80’s Daughter of the Mountain reads like a poor hillbilly family drama.

The story is set in the Talon Ridge Mountains, focusing on the Bilfrey family. Effie the matriarch of the family is a no nonsense type of character and blatantly biased towards Curtis, Sarah, Lottie and Gene. Her eldest, Frank is a wild one but also acting out because his mother Effie has shut him down and shut him out of her life and so Frank continues to get himself into trouble. I could visualise the emotional abuse between Frank and Effie. It was sad for Frank as I felt he didn’t have a chance to be loved in the way that he so craves.
I felt Sherry Parnell painted the picture about right for the time period and it was easy to picture the scenes depicting the hardships being poor mountain living folk in the time period these events occurred. It would have been extremely hard to live in those harshest living conditions.
I wished that the story had followed Sarah more, rather than the tidbits of diary entries that scatter through the story. What I mean to say is that in this story I wanted to see more of Sarah and her daughter Lottie’s relationship.
The style of writing used by Parnell was simplistic to match the tone and voice of the story. She captured the imagination in the showing of the story. The use of strong themes such as rape involving young children is always a very hard topic for myself as a reader to endure, Parnell doesn’t gloss over it or sugar coat those themes. This book wasn’t afraid to take chances in those aforementioned topics.
Thank you Sherry Parnell!