Many thanks to Net Galley for an audio copy of Ellis River for an honest review. This is a historical fiction set during the Civil War. Ellis Cody is 15 years old and through circumstances out of her control, she is left alone. Soldiers have taken all of her horses, but Ellis's horse comes back. So she leaves and disguises herself as a boy for safety. I enjoyed this book!

The Civil War scattered her family. Disguised, and with her spirited horse, a young woman navigates war-torn country to collect what’s left of her life. This award-winning historical novel now comes to life on audio!
Narrated well and I was invested in the story from beginning to end.

A fantastic debut novel from Nicki Ehrlich focusing on a young teenager, Ellis, travelling alone through the aftermath of The Civil War. We journey with Ellis as she tries to make sense of her own losses alongside trying to keep safe in incredibly challenging circumstances.

The writing is beautiful and touching and Ellis' connection to nature and horses are particularly poignant as is her unconditional acceptance of others.

Madeleine Norton did an excellent job narrating the audiobook bringing the scenes to life and adding to the overall entertainment.

I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an ALC of this book and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

4.5⭐️

This was quite a beautiful and epic tale. We follow Ellis, a teen journeying alone through the aftermath of the Civil War, trying to find her way to safety and to figure out what’s next. She witnesses the devastation left on the land, the people, and the horses. All while dealing with her own trauma and losses.

Ellis is a lovely, brave young woman, ahead of her time in many ways, accepting of others for who they are even as she struggles to show anyone her true self. It’s impossible not to root for her (and Billie!), and I’d love a sequel to her story.

Madeleine Norton did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Nicki Ehrlich, Bay Feather Books, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I didn't know anything about this book, I mainly read thrillers and dabble with historical and a friend with similar tastes thought it looked interesting.

Ellis lives on a horse ranch during the American Civil War. Her father and oldest brother take some horses to sell to the army and never come back. Her mother dies, her twin brother sets out to search for their father. Eventually Ellis leaves to try and find her twin.

It's a somewhat rambling journey / quest / coming of age story with lots of horses. I much preferred the second half when things settle down a bit, and it ends quite strongly.

I didn't gel with the narrator at first, I found her narration a little floaty, almost absent minded, but I liked her character voices.

Overall it felt rather YA to me, I don't think I would have got through reading the book. It felt quite light on history, but it was interesting how the news of the end of the war travelled slowly and how many battles and disputes continued.

I'd give it 3.5 stars, but as a YA or for someone who loves reading about horses and their 'nickering' it's probably a 4 or more.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bay Feather Books

🎧4-4.25⭐️

I had the audiobook read by Madeleine Norton who kept my interest providing good distinct voices for the different characters.

A debut historical/ literary coming of age fiction that has attracted interest with various awards set in the Civil war following the life of fifteen year old Ellis Cady. Her family has scattered due to the war. Ellis is left alone so travels East with her beloved horse Billie looking for remaining family dressed as a boy for safety. She finds an unlikely group of rescuers to travel with through a war torn country where war refuses to fade.

A slow burn that is beautifully written, giving a detailed description of nature, time and place. You really feel immersed in the era and story.
The writing style reminds me of Where the Crawdads sing, with this book the connection is very much with horses, although there are some natural world references.

Part of the story is told in the form of unsent letters that Ellis writes to her family members which gives a way for Ellis to share her feelings.

I think that audiobook format worked best for me because of the slower pace. I felt in comparison to the rest of the book that the epilogue rushed the conclusion, although I can see that the journey was the emphasis for the story. There’s enough to give the reader closure, but several aspects are only hinted at, which might not be enough for some.

In conclusion I really enjoyed the gentle coming of age Civil war story finding Ellis very likeable, I was invested in the outcome of her journey.

Elliss could tell the war was changing things but she never thought it would end everything she held dear. They were a part of the quaker community so she never thought losing her father and brothers was even an option during the war but when her father and older brother Wayne left to deliver a herd of horses she thought they would be back in a week or two but they never returned. Her mother waited a year before breaking down but didn’t last a month before she passed away due to her heartbreak. Her twin brother Earl left to go search for them soon before she passed it so after Ellis lost her mom she felt all she had left was the horses but the union soldiers would try and take that away as well when the wild Philly whose name was Billy showed up back at the ranch Elliss was beside herself with joy in she also took off to find the rest of her family. She would find some and lose some before she found them but it seems her dad remained elusive along the way though she met a new kind of support system. I know I am not giving much away in the summary but let me just say this is a great book and I think that’s going to be another or at least I hope so. It ended in a way that could be a set up for the second book and I would definitely be down to read that. I thoroughly enjoyed this book no matter what country do you live in war is horrible and it affects everyone in this book is a great example of how even those who staying neutral can be affected. If you love greatest Storico fiction then you’ll really like this but I totally dead and highly recommend it. I want to thank the publisher and net Kelly for my free art copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review of how even those who staying neutral can be affected. If you love greatest Storico fiction then you’ll really like this but I totally dead and highly recommend it. I listen to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a wonderful job she did a great performance with the voices and setting a tone for a great audiobook. I want to thank the publisher and Net Galley for my free art copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review..