I really enjoyed this one. It had a bit of a Snow Queen retelling vibe and I loved the mystery and the survival aspect.

This was not a book for me. I was not a fan of the characters or the plot. I think this just a case of my type of book.

Totally engrossing and intriguing! The storyline, the author's prose, and the characters made this an absolute page-turner!

I tried to like this because it sounded like something I'd really love! But the story was sort of boring, the writing was really odd, and the dialect was just nearly unreadable. Maybe I'll try the audiobook one day?

Unfortunately, I was unable to finish The Girl from Shadow Springs, as I was unable to get past the grammar and vernacular used by the narrator. I was extremely excited for the story behind The Girl from Shadow Springs, and if it was written in 3rd person, I have a feeling I would have been able to enjoy the story. Jorie seemed like a tough, interesting character. I really loved that she took insults, like being "bull-headed and stubborn", as compliments, and she seemed like she had great street smarts. I could see how the romance between Jorie and Cody could develop well. I just could not get over how the book was written.

Cypher explains that Jorie is illiterate and Jorie speaks in an intense slang. A great example is the following excerpt:

"Under my gloves, the door to the shed squealed open in hopeless protest. I let it slam behind me. My sister shouting like a drowning bear. Or three. And she could keep up her hollering; after sixteen years, I were more than used to it. Like as not Brenna were pissed I was late for breakfast. A fault as like to get me a lecture on mindin how much time I spent out on the Flats, as well as a longer one ’bout listening. To her."

Despite Jorie's inability to read, she uses extremely large words that don't make sense for her. She also goes back and forth between replacing "was" with "were" with no consistency - almost like Cypher and the editors had problems with the vernacular as well.

I really hope that there are readers that are able to look past the vernacular and appreciate this story, because I think it sounds insanely interesting. It just wasn't for me.

Rating 2.75 DNF

I loved the synopsis of this story but sadly, I could not get into the book itself. I'm not sure if it is because I overhyped it in my head or the way it was written either way I was unable to finish it. This book had a unique writing style that fit the story and I appreciate that the author did that. They made sure to have the characters talk/think in a certain way that fit the story. While it bothered me, I do not think that will bother most readers. I did enjoy the world the author built and the banter between characters. I also love that this book showcases a strong female lead. I will go back to this book when the weather changes (November/December) and try to give it another read.

**Received an advanced copy through NetGalley in return for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review your titles.
I do appreciate it and continue to review books that I get the chance to read.
Thanks again!

I really enjoyed the world Ellie Cypher created here. It's a little bit dystopian, a little bit supernatural, and is written with a vernacular that reads like a true blue western. Jorie is a heroine that I think many readers can see themselves in, especially in a time where introverts reign supreme. She fully recognizes and accepts she doesn't know how to talk to people and everyone is just better off leaving her well enough alone. She is fundamentally driven by love for her sister and her own stubborn sense of justice. Her unlikability makes her extremely likable (think Hailee Steinfeld in True Grit). One of my favorite lines of hers is, "Ain't no good ever come from showing fear to no man."

Unfortunately, near the end of the book, right in the midst of the story's climax, there was an increasing amount of grammatical errors and typos, with some words missing completely. These mistakes went beyond the unique language of the book. For example, "tress" instead of "trees" and "though" instead of "thought." Very simple oversights that should have been rectified before publishing*. It's disappointing because it really tore me out of the action of the moment in a world that is otherwise wholly immersive.

*Note: This review was written post publication date and I compared the hardcopy that my library purchased with the digital copy provided by NetGalley and the mistakes were present in both.

This was a lot deeper and more emotional than I was expecting, and I loved it. A fantastic story that you don't want to put down. A book that I believe will stay with me for a long time. I wasn't expecting much from this book. It's so smart, creative, and relevant...man I would just totally recommend this!

I felt like I was on this survival adventure right along with Jorie. I loved her as a character. Moreover, the story is never boring at any point. Initially, you would feel that there would not be much for these characters to experience. But the author tells the story in such a dynamic manner that tests the character’s determination. When you feel things cannot get any worse, a new dilemma encounters them. The author paced it beautifully! Many moments stood out in the story for me.

Jorie is a scavenger. She findsthe bodies of people who are foolish enough to die in the harsh frozen wilderness and loots their bodies for money and valuables. Unfortunately she bring the wrong body home. When she arrives home her sister Bren isn't alone. A Rover is there and he is really interested in the body that Jorie found out on the ice. When she can't produce the object that he wants he kidnaps her sister. Jorie then sets out to find her with a southern named Cody whose the nephew of the guy whose body she found. This book is action packed and the writing is lyrical. The main character was amazing but all the other characters fell a little flat. The world building and mystery more than made up for the flat side characters and not-really-love -interest-love-interest. If you enjoy survivalist stories and stories based on folklore you should definitely check this book out.

I was drawn to the cover almost instantly but sadly the inside didn't match the outside. I read a few chapters but did not finish it.

A girl hardened by the harsh wilds of Shadow Springs and a boy softened by life in the South are forced together by a common need to avenge a loved one, each bringing their own strengths to the adventure… and weaknesses.

The Girl From Shadow Springs is the type of book you read curled up on your couch snuggled in millions of blankets as a blizzard swirls around outside (for the full effect, of course). Which is–surprising for this Texan–exactly how I read this book. I have Jorie and Cody to thank for keeping me sane during the Texas Blizzard of 2021, and for reminding me exactly why I’ve chosen to reside in Texas and not some harsh North controlled by a Winter Witch *winks*.

Jorie and Cody were an entertaining duo to say the least. Jorie– almost never willing to “lighten up”–and Cody–being a really spunky and adorable guy–had simply amusing interactions the entire time. They are polar opposites, but naturally, we know that opposites attract so it’s easy to root for them.

The story is nonstop dilemma and problem as Jorie and Cody travel further and further into the unforgiving North. There’s always an element of suspense to keep you turning the pages, and though some of the storyline was predictable (for me), there were other things that kept it fresh and exciting. The only thing that I *almost* didn’t like was how the book was written in Jorie’s uneducated slang. Until I was used to it (about halfway through the book), I could NOT turn off my inner editor and the way Jorie spoke drove me crazy (if I ever see “weren’t” used like that again, I shall scream!). However, the writing style in Jorie’s voice is really what created the authenticity of her gruff and rough demeanor, making The Girl From Shadow Springs what it is. Without Jorie’s narration, I feel like this would have been an entirely different book. And even though Jorie’s way of narrating shows her tough lifestyle, the book never felt improperly edited; it was handled professionally, so in the end, it didn’t bother me.

So, overall, I enjoyed The Girl From Shadow Springs and recommend it to fantasy lovers who would like more of a survivalist story, rather than a quest-like story. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Content Disclaimers (some may consider these SPOILERS, proceed with caution): No sexual content and honestly, no romance. Some hints at attraction though. Cursing is limited to phrases like “she cursed under breath” and the characters use their own invented slang words. Action/gore can be detailed at times, but I wouldn’t rate it above a PG-13 level.

I received this book for free from the author/publisher. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and I am leaving a voluntary review.

“A winter dystopian western, The Girl From Shadow Springs‘ landscape is the driving force of this story.”

Cecelia Beckman, Sheaf & Ink

What originally drew me to The Girl From Shadow Springs was the idea of a winter dystopia.

Normally, when I think of dystopia’s my mind gravitates to these bleak terrains: dessert and drought that has everyone desperate and willing to do anything to survive.

Think Mad Max.

So when faced with a different landscape I was intrigued.

I found the setting to be the strongest feature of the book. Replete with ice and snow and every danger of surviving in a world of unending frost, Ellie Cypher’s descriptions and details in this frozen world was solid.

However, for the story itself, I had some concerns. The beginning of the narrative started off strong. Chypher solidifies with great detail in her world building and the main character, Jorie’s challenges in surviving.

But as the story progresses, the narrative begins to lose momentum and focus. Jorie’s attention in finding her sister tends to be placed on the back burner throughout most of the story. There is this lack of urgency when days start to drag by with little to no progress in the development of where she is going and a solid plan if and when Jorie finds her sister.

Then, there is the Winter Witch element of the story. The fantasy elements. We know early on there’s something not right about this permanent frost. Further, there’s this fable, legend like mythology that’s touched on in the beginning about a Winter Witch. What was becoming most apperant as I read on was how the survival aspect of the story wasn’t flowing smoothly and in succession with the fantasy of the Winter Witch.

It felt like I was reading two separate stories.

As though the idea of this story were like dominos: lined up in polished rows, making perfect sense. But a gale of wind comes through, the dominos scatter, leaving an image of disorder and a narrative jumbled together, and incongruous. Where the genre’s of survival and fantasy didn’t entirely integrate to make for a fulfilling narrative.
After setting the novel aside several times, I came to the conclusion this novel was not for me. I did come back to it with fresh eyes and a newfound hope, but sadly, I found myself distracted. That the book wasn’t fully holding my attention.

The Girl From Winter Springs potential lay in its world-building and its rich atmospheric descriptions, though these should not be the only driving aspects for a survival, action, and adventure debut.

Happy Reading ̴ Cece

Spoiler free review! This book is simply amazing. I enjoyed the suspense throughout the book and the way the author really brings out the characters. If you like thrillers, I would definitely recommend this book!

3.5 stars.
This book is a perfect winter book. The descriptions of the majestic frozen tundra landscape were hauntingly beautiful. It is a harsh world, this frozen world of ice and steal you breath cold. I really enjoyed the adventure aspect of the book, the main character journey across the frozen wasteland to find and save her sister. The fantasy elements weren't my favorite. I think I would of liked the story better had it kept that western-style adventure story instead of turning into a fantasy style book towards the end. The myths and the sensation of being watched was great, but I wished that the author had kept the stories as just stories.

The Girl From Shadow Springs follows Jorie on her quest to find her sister after she is stolen from some baddies. She meets Cody in town, and he sets off with her. There was stuff I liked, and stuff I didn't as much, so let's get to it!

What I Liked:

►The atmosphere was on point! I mean, you asked for cold desolation, you got cold desolation! This world is rough. I don't have any idea if there are like, nice, moderate climates anywhere, but wow would I be out searching for those! The weather is brutal, the people are brutal, there are few supplies to be had, and nearly everyone Jorie's ever known is dead. It's clear to see why she's so desperate to find her sister, right?

►I enjoyed the banter between Cody and Jorie. It lightened the mood, for sure, to have them squabbling and such. And, frankly, it made them seem more relatable.

►I love me an adventure! I mean, it's not a road trip, but a dog-sled trip, and that is pretty fabulous. I love the themes of surviving in dire conditions, fighting the elements, and things of the like. This book definitely had tons of that!

What I Didn't:

►The magic part confused the heck out of me. I knew it was coming, but I didn't understand it at all. There's a line where Jorie says "There may be a lot of this I don’t right understand—near all of it, to be honest", and hard same. It isn't introduced in earnest until later in the story, and I just didn't have enough time to really have it make sense to me.

►I didn't feel like I knew Jorie at all. Did she have anything going on other than staying alive? Genuinely asking because I don't know. It didn't seem like it? And maybe that is the case, but it felt very hard to connect to her when I couldn't really get a sense of who she is, other than she loved her sister, which wasn't exactly a groundbreaking revelation.

►While it was high stakes, it didn't always feel that way. First, I didn't really ever think that Jorie wouldn't find her sister, frankly. I won't tell you whether I was correct, but that is how I felt through the story. Second, I know Jorie loves her sister, I get it. Obviously, they're family. But it felt more like Jorie was telling me she loved her sister, rather than showing any meaningful connection between the two other than just... blood.

Bottom Line: Definitely atmospheric and full of action, the magic and characters fell a bit short for me.

This book was a solid adventure story. Although it is a fantasy novel there is not a great deal of detailed world building, which would have slowed down the action. This is true of character development as well which is demonstrated by character interactions and response to challenging situations. Overall it is a strong effort that I enjoyed.

I am very obviously the odd one out. Everyone else seems to be loving this book and calling it thrilling or that there were high-stakes, but I was just bored. I was super excited about this because I usually love super atmospheric stories, but I felt like this kept dragging on and on. Everyone else seems to be loving it though, so don't let me stop you from giving it a try!

Free Netgalley book for review! Pretty average, not bad, but a tad predictable. The writing style wasn’t my favorite (The character’s dialogue played fast and loose with grammar) and many of the similes were just cringe-y. If you like polar fantasies and journeys and survival stuff you’ll probably love this. It did pick up around the middle of the story.

I liked that the main character fought so hard for her family.

The concept of this book is cool. I can appreciate any author that attempts to write a story in a dialect that differs from the norm, and that style along with the deep descriptions of the harsh landscape really sold me on this one.

The beginning was solid as Jorie sets out across a the dangerous, snow-covered world to save her sister from a creepy kidnapper. But about three-fourths of the way through, "magic" elements were introduced and it threw the story for me. There had been mentions of weird creatures and witches earlier, but they were treated more like fairy tales and I didn't expect them to become true. I was confused and lost rather quickly and the ending didn't quite pull through like the beginning did.

In addition, I was a little bit confused about the world-building. The story has this fantasy Western vibe to it, which is awesome, but then Jorie would mention something like the Northern Lights and I would wonder where this story is supposed to be set.

But I liked Jorie’s character. I even liked Cody, though at the beginning he made me wish someone would knock some sense into his head. I like the small kindling of a relationship that forms between them. It wasn’t too much that it overwhelmed other aspects of the book, but it made sense and had the right balance.

So while there were some aspects that didn't work for me, I enjoyed the story and would recommend this to someone interested in survival stories with a Western feel to the world.