This was my first Grissom book and I loved the writing, the amount of research, the characters were all believable and Crow Mary was an inspiration. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical story and I look forward to reading more from this author. A good book club selection.

Inspired by true events, Crow Mary is the latest novel by Kathleen Grissom. If you have read and enjoyed her other two books: The Kitchen House and Glory Over Everything, you know what this author can do with words. Beautiful writing, well-researched characters, and wonderfully detailed. I highly recommend.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Crow Mary is a fascinating story based on the woman who lived in the 1870s and her life, family and courage. Crow Mary was married to a white fur trader and had 3 children. She was separated from her Crow family at the time when the Indians were being forced onto reservations. Mary had a few good friends and a few enemies, but she was brave and fiercely protected her family and their traditions. The book provides an in-depth look at the interaction between the white man and Native Americans at that time, which was mostly sad and cruel,. But it is amazing to learn about Crow Mary’s strength. And I loved reading about some of their endearing traditions and ways of looking at life and nature.

I was really looking forward to Crow Mary and it did not disappoint.. Goes First has only known her way of life among the Crow. However, following a tragedy she receives an offer of marriage from a white settler-Abe Farwell- who has done business with her tribe previously. Young Goes First agrees to the marriage and sets off on her new life with Abe at a trading post far from home. Now named Crow Mary she tries to adjust to this new world and her new husband but all hell breaks loose between a band of unsavory whiskey traders and members of the Nakota tribe and Mary is really tested. I loved how this story unfolded-the clash of cultures, the relationships between Mary and her husband and also Mary and the women in her life. It was a great read.

This story of Mary’ captured me in the very beginning.. The author did an amazing job in her research and writing to portray the life of Goes First. I learned a great deal about her people.
Many thanks to Atria and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved The Kitchen House by Grissom, so when this book became available, I had to read it, and boy, was it good. In true Grissom fashion, she told an amazing story of the Crow tribe and how their way of life was disrupted. It addressed this and brought to life how the females who married the "yellow" men were treated and what their lives were like once leaving their tribes. Crow Mary was an absolute bad#** and did not take any crap from anyone. I loved the way Grissom wrote her character. I will be recommending this book to everyone. Thank you, NetGalley, for the eARC. 5 stars.

Crow Mary leaves her family to marry a fur trader who is going to build a trading post in Montana. She becomes a legend with her gun but still finds herself at the mercy of her husband and other men. The story is the white men’s way of life vs. the Crow’s way of life

Crow Mary
Author Kathleen Grissom
Available now!

Thank you, @atriabooks, for my gorgeous #gifted copy of this moving historical fiction novel!

The Kitchen House has been sitting on my tbr for quite some time. Obviously, I need to now prioritize Grissom's previous novel!

Crow Mary is inspired by the real- life events of Crow Mary, an indigenous young woman in 19th- century North America, who bravely lives between two cultures. This novel was wise, intimate, and unforgettable.

As a young woman, Crow Mary already stands out among her people - talented, independent, and outspoken. A Crow Native woman, she marries Abe Farwell, white fur trader, as her tribe hopes to keep relationships and trade with the white men peaceful. Before long, the newly married couple leave everything Mark knows behind to set up a trading post in Canada.

Through beautiful storytelling of the natural world, travel by land across the continent, growing friendships, and a blossoming marriage, Crow Mary learns so much about herself, her husband, and where she belongs in the world.

Both a heartbreaking and heartwarming story, Crow Mary is a brave and inspiring story of a strong native American woman who fought for her people, her family, and for her survival. Both well- researched and beautifully told!

CW: violence, rape, alcoholism

Crow Mary, the title character, was a (real life) Native American teenager named Goes First when she agreed to marry a white fur trader. This changes her life dramatically as she becomes trapped between two worlds, not really fitting in with either.
I loved the research Kathleen Grissom uncovered and learning more about this amazing woman and her tribe. I did feel an uncomfortable connection with this book because I have a 3 times great grandfather that worked as a sheriff (I think?) outside a reservation.

I’ve read everything that Kathleen Grissom has written. She has a way with words and storytelling that pull you in, educate you, and give you a memorable experience. Crow Mary is no different. I went in not knowing anything about the subject and have walked away not only with this knowledge, but characters that will stay with me for a long time. Kathleen’s books are works of art. Do not miss this one.
Thank you Kathleen Grissom, Atria Books, and Netgalley for this opportunity.

An amazing look into the life of one Crow woman. I could not put this book down. I loved the way the author portrayed Crow Mary and showed many of the aspects of her life, while respecting the Crow nation. A beautifully told story of love and heartache.

Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom. Pub Date: June 6, 2023. Rating: 5 stars. Whatever you do, just go read this novel. I have loved everything this author has written and this book is no exception. Set during a time period where Native Americans lives were being forced out of their territories and the white settlers were invading, this is the story of a strong female who wishes to remain true to her Native American roots but is ultimately bound to her marriage with a white trader. The story takes the reader on the journey of this woman and her trials and tribulations of how to handle adversity, change, identity, motherhood and grief. I found this book to be a beautiful homage to Native Americans and learned a lot about this time period. Such an important book! I can not recommend this novel enough. Pick this up if you love historical fiction! Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #netgalley #crowmary

This was well researched. I really enjoyed this story and agree with the five star reviews. This is a must read.

This was a great book! I was so excited to be able to read this one after Reading The Kitchen House! Crow Mary is well researched and well written. A moving and fromidable story that will keep you turning the page. I love historcal books that look at times and places not overly written about...it feels like I'm learning something new! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I have read the previous novels written by Kathleen Grissom, so I was thrilled to be able to read her new novel, I was not disappointed. The story of Mary Crow, Abe Farwell, how they met, married and created a life together was a heartbreaking, heartwarming, inspiring, interesting story. I thoroughly enjoyed this story learning some history of the Crow Indians, and other tribes that were living in the Northwest area in the United States in the years following the Civil War. I feel that this book was one of the best books that I have read so far this year, I highly recommend this story.

Based on a true story, this book is a reminder of the aspects of American history that we don't know, understand or appreciate; let alone from this perspective. At the age of sixteen, Crow Mary, or Goes First as she is know among her own people, goes off to marry Abe Farwell, a fur trader. From there we learn of life in the unsettled NorthWest and Canada and the "Yellow Eyes" treatment and overtaking of the indigenous people at the end of the 19th century. It's fascinating and truly disturbing.

Absolutely a 5 star read! I love Kathleen Grissom books, and this one rivals The Kitchen House. The subject was obviously well researched and as with all her novels, very well written. It touched on a subject that I don't have extensive knowledge of, yet I was still drawn in to every page of Crow Mary's life.

I plan to write a Goodreads review in the near future and possibly a Booktok review as well.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

I love The Kitchen House and was excited to read this new book but I'm an outlier here... I didn't like the writing because it didn't grab hold of me at all (a lot of telling instead of showing) and especially after Goes First left her family. I dnf:ed it :( My apologies.

📖 Book Review 📖

📱”Crow Mary” by Kathleen Grissom

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Published June 6,2023

Thank you @netgalley for this early kindle edition.

A compelling historical fiction novel by the wonderful Kathleen Grissom takes readers to 19th century Montana/Canadian border. Goes First is a young Crow girl who marries a white man at age 16. Abe Farwell is a good man, and through his kindness Goes First falls in love. The story follows their lives over the next few decades as Goes First, now named Crow Mary, adjusts to her new life. Based on a true story, Crow Mary goes with Farwell, as he moves from the plains of Montana to his trading post in Saskatchewan, Canada. She deftly navigates the world of the "Yellow Eyes" while trying to hold onto the traditions of her people. Through new experiences, new friends, motherhood, and loss, Grissom reverently shares Crow Mary's story.

It’s also the story of a complicated marriage between two people with very different traditions and culture. I loved learning about the indigenous cultural practices and worldview. This well written novel tells of identity, unwavering bravery and the heartbreaking losses incurred in the name of assimilation and progress.

Because of the importance of stories like this, Crow Mary will forever have a place on my bookshelf. I love that the descendants of Crow Mary are so pleased with how her story was told by Kathleen Grissom, who worked closely for nearly a decade to capture the spirit of this remarkable woman.


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3.5 stars
Pro:
* Research/consultation with family descended from historical main character as well as Crow elders
* Deeply respectful telling of Mary’s story

Con:
* Prose/sentence structure could be more complex.
* Often reads like YA.

Thank you to Kathleen Grissom, Atria Books, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.