Thank you NetGalley and Bay Feather Books, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for accepting my request to audibly read and review Ellis River.

Narrator: Madeleine Norton

Just okay, I was disappointed. The historical portion regarding the civil war grasped my attention when reading the synopsis. I found while reading this could have been any war. The historical fiction was missing.

In addition, while classified as adult fiction, I thought it read more like middle grade stretching to young adult. With that said, I recognize the main character was just 15 years old. The story was simple.

The narration by Norton was enjoyable. I thought she did a great job in her performance thus keeping me focused.

I would recommend listening to the book during a family road trip. In addition, listening while reading along could be helpful to a struggling reader.

I was offered an audio copy of this novel and the narration was very good with well executed voices. The story was pleasant, the characters were nicely developed. It gave an insight into the Civil War in America and depicted the time and place with well researched details.

Told through the eyes of the coming-of-age narrator; we follow fifteen year old Ellis and her horse Billie. She is left alone on the farm after her mother dies whilst her father and two brothers have travelled across the country to sell horses to the army. Ellis decides to ride out disguised as a boy to look for her family when they don’t return.

The journey is eventful, harrowing and life-changing. Ellis faces a variety of hard challenges but there is always hope in the story.
Ellis is a lovely character to follow, there is definitely a modern feminism aspect to the narrative which suits the current market.
I enjoyed the book but I didn’t love it. There’s a lot to like about it though and I’m glad I had the chance to listen to this well executed audio.
3.5 stars
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Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in return for a review

Eliss River is a well written, interesting story about a girl struggling through loss, displacement, and hardship. However, it is not a story for me. This book is listed as adult fiction, but it seems to me to be much more middle grade/ya centered. The audio was very difficult to listen to, with the accents switching inconsistently. I believe I would have liked this if I’d read it when I was about 13.

The version of Ellis River that I had the opportunity to review is the audiobook version narrated by Madeleine Norton. She did a great job with the narration!

Ellis River is author Nicki Ehrlich's debut novel and is the winner or semi-finalist for several awards; which honestly drew me to this book. The book is classified (on NetGalley) as General Fiction (Adult), Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction. The protagonist is a teenage girl, approximately 15 years old. The book seemed a little more YA (to me) than "adult". Rounding from between 3 and 4 stars to 4 stars. Updated. I decided to change my rating from 4 stars to 3 stars; providing feedback to publisher directly, as I don't want to provide spoilers.

The family is (evidently) opposed to fighting and try to stay out of the civil war, but it is rather impossible for them to not have gotten swept up with it regardless. They are in a bit of a situation, as you are either with the union or the confederacy.

Congratulations to the author on the awards and nominations. This book just didn't seem to work for me. It almost tries to tackle too much history in one book, civil war, underground railroad, female pretending to be male during war time, suffrage, Quaker, finding lost family members.

Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to (yet once again) a "new to me author". Thank you to NetGalley and Bay Feather Books for approving my NetGalley request to review the advance listen copy of Ellis River in exchange for an honest review.

Book Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narrator Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ellis's father and brothers left the homestead to sell horses to the army, her mother falls ill and dies, leaving her alone. Army soldiers ride through and claims the remaining horse herd, but a lone mare escapes and makes her way back to the farm. After the return of the mare, Ellis decides it's time to saddle up and leave to search for her father and siblings. Disguised as a boy, she sets out and meets an unlikely group who teaches her about love and family.


This story was beautifully written and beautifully told. I have never read any civil war fiction, and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this. My only complaint is it wasn't long enough! There were hints at a sequel, and I can't wait to read it!

Thank you, NetGalley and Bay Feather Books, for the opportunity to listen and review this wonderful audiobook.

I really liked the narration in this audiobook. It was a little slow reading though so I speed up the narrative and it was much better. The book itself was so well written it seemed as though I was transported back in time. What a sad yet beautiful story.

This is a thoughtful story of the Civil War and its effect on a Tennessee family. The young girl, Ellis, is the main character. As she loses the members of her family, one by one, she gains the strength to survive. Through kindness and good fortune, she survives and is able to move forward with her life. This is a good look at the contributions of women in the Civil War. The audiobook was well done.

Really good story - I enjoyed listening to the narrator and following along as Ellis made her harrowing journey across the United States during and after the civil war. Some parts were hard to stop listening too because you really wanted to know how the ending would go.

I was slightly disappointed in the ending, not enough to not recommend it but I felt like the last few chapters were anticlimactic and it was hard to understand who the epilogue was about. I really feel like the author was setting us up for book 2 but I am unsure if that one will be published or not.

This is a great story about a young girl and her bravery and all that she overcomes. I highly recommend listening to this and/or reading it.

Ellis River by Nicki Ehrlich is the story of a girl at the end of the Civil War who has lost her family and is trying to find her way. I only listened to about half of it. I tried, but I just couldn't get into it. Thanks for the chance to listen to it, though. I appreciate it.

This book is different from my usual type of novels. I’m not usually a lover of novels from the US or ones including animals. However, this work is captivating. I feel as if I appreciate so much more about horses, including their commitment to people who care for them. Having said that, this is so much more giving a small insight into the Civil War and the ordinary people caught up in the fight. How ever did they decide/know which side to take?
A wonderful novel which will, hopefully, make a beautiful film!

Ellis wakes up screaming, the nightmares feeling real. Someone’s chasing her. Then she sees the man fall and the blood – he’s been shot. She shot him. That was weeks ago, but the memory still haunts her, just like the memories of her mother and brother dying in her arms. Ellis has been desperate to survive, dressing like her twin brother and living as a man. She’s only 15, but the Civil War has made her grow up much faster than she wanted.

Ellis River is Nicki Ehrlich’s debut and award-winning novel about life for those left behind when the soldiers went to war. This book explores the uncertainty that gripped the nation during the Civil War – families unsure what happened to their loved ones, former slaves and freedmen unsure of their safety, and a nation unsure how to move forward. Ehrlich additionally focuses in on the women left to fend for themselves and the dangers they faced from raiding parties, sickness, and the inability to provide for themselves.

I give Ellis River 3 out of 5 stars. Ehrlich impressed me with her knowledge and inclusion of historical facts such as people, places, battles, and the struggles of the women in this era. However, several scenes felt forced and predictable. I felt like the inclusion of some of the female soldiers was unnecessary to get the point across. I also felt like a handful of characters could have been better developed to bring their stories to life and connect them with the overall narrative. While this was a pleasant read, I felt like it was missing quite a bit.

I would recommend this novel to readers looking to better understand the female perspective of this era. I would also recommend this for Civil War history enthusiasts – without focusing too much on either side of the war or the well-known battles, this book gives a glimpse into life during that time. Also, if you enjoyed The Red Badge of Courage or Lonesome Dove, this book is for you – the long trail rides, the effects of battle, and the determination to survive all remind me of these two great literary works. As with any book about battle, this novel includes descriptions of death and injury that may not be suitable for audiences under 13.

I was provided the audiobook version of Ellis River by the publisher for review consideration. When I noticed it was available through NetGalley for review, I was immediately intrigued. While this book has been on the market for a few months and won several awards, I had not specifically heard of it prior to seeing it on my dashboard. The description and subject matter also caught my attention – having lived in Georgia in the heart of Battle of Atlanta territory for most of my life, Civil War history is something I have always been interested in. I was a bit surprised at the direction Ehrlich took in some scenes, but overall enjoyed the reading.

Ellis River is now available for purchase from your favorite independent bookstore!

I thought this was average historical fiction.
I am not sure if it is considered YA genre.
It seemed simplistic for adults, but some content probably not appropriate for middle grades, so it seems YA to me.
There is commendable description of the setting.
Narration average for me as well.
I do appreciate having the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

A gently told and interesting read. Set at the tail end of the American Civil War. It is the story of a teenage girl searching for her family and her place in a changed world.
I enjoyed it and while I had a lot of questions and would have liked more detail, I am glad I listened to it. The relationship between Ellis and her horse Billy was delightfully written and the descriptions transported me to her surroundings.
The narrator did a good job of telling Ellis’s story and provided her voice believably.

Such a sad story! This book took place during the civil war, and Ellis lost all of her family from various happenings during the war. She had a lovely relationship with her mare Billy and found friendship in unusual ways.

Civil War, Tennessee. Fifteen year old Ellis Cady is all alone. First her father and eldest brother left to sell horses to the army. Then her twin brother left to find their father. Then her mother died. Days after the passing of her mother, Confederate troops show up and take their remaining horses. Ellis is all alone- until her favorite mare, Billie, returns. She takes off on Billie to try to find her family. She disguises herself as a boy, and comes across many people along the way while searching for family.

I went into this expecting to be sad and probably even cry. That did not happen. While a sad tale (with some positive events), I just didn't feel emotionally connected to it. It is an interesting story, but I just didn't have that connection.

The audiobook is narrated by Madeleine Norton. No complaints about the narration.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully written and poignant story about Ellis, a 15 year old girl searching for her brother and father, towards the end of the Civil War, with just her horse, Billie.

Heartbreak, loss and racial injustice combine with hope, in this coming of age story, as Ellis works to make sense of the world around her.

Brilliantly narrated by Madeline Norton.

4⭐️ Thank you Nicki Ehrlich, Bay Feather Books, and NetGalley for an ARC in return for my honest review.

What a wonderful treat of a book. The audio book narration was fabulous and the story of fifteen year old Ellis’s journey, with her beloved horse, Billie, as she searches for her family towards the end of the civil war is captivating. Through all the brutality and sadness of the war there is an optimism which pervades. I look forward to reading more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful award winning piece of literary historical coming of age fiction from Nicki Ehrlich, set during and bringing alive the turbulent years of heartbreak and loss in the Civil War years. I listened to this on audio, marvellously narrated by Madeline Norton, that completely immerses the listener for the entirety of the 7 hours and 10 minutes, she conveys the characters particularly well. One of the highlights are the wonderfully rich descriptions of nature and landscapes, as we follow the young 15 year old Ellis Cady. part of the Quaker community. She is caught up in a war and a harshly shifting world that has emotional and despairing life changing repercussions where so much that is familiar comes to an end, requiring her to grow up far too quickly.

Ellis's father and eldest brother left intending to make a delivery of horses, but they failed to return, her other brother leaving to try and find them, her mother left heartbroken and going on to die. She has to come to terms with being all alone, her only companions the horses, and even they do not remain as union soldiers come and take them, the only stroke of good fortune coming with the brilliant horse Billie's return. Dressing as a boy in an effort to protect herself from dangers that may come her way, the courageous and traumatised Ellis sets off, hoping to find her father and brothers, encountering tough times. She bears witness to the impact of the war on a ravaged land, and people, finding unexpected solace in a group of travellers.

Part of the atmospheric narrative is in the form of unsent letters written by Ellis, giving us access to the state of her interior world. The demands and challenges that Ellis faces means surviving requires that she must adapt, ensuring her character undergoes remarkable progress and development. Given Ellis's nightmare circumstances, there is a surprising sense of hope and light in this enthralling listen that captures this period of American history and war so well, and I absolutely adored Billie! I particularly recommend the audio of this superb book. Many thanks to the publisher for an ALC.

This is a beautifully written story, set in the civil war. The story is absolutely captivating as is our protagonist Ellis. She can feel the change of the world and the change within herself and the author portrays that in such a stunning way. I was there, wrapped up somewhere between the saddle and the bed roll. I’m never sure if my description of being able to smell the setting is understandable, but to me it’s thing, and I could smell it. The narration was just lovely.

Read it. You will not be disappointed. All the stars ⭐️ #Jorecommends

It’s with gratitude to NetGalley and Bay Feather Publishing granting me a copy that I’m providing my review of this audiobook.
Firstly, I have to mention that the narrator did a fabulous job of helping the listener distinguish between characters.
It was an easy listen, the story held my interest and I enjoyed the historical aspect of life at the time of the American Civil War as well as the adventures of the main character, Ellis, as she saddled up and went looking for members of her family.