Fox Creek contrasts the two faces of slavery through the slaves Monette and Cyrus. Taking place at Fox Creek Plantation in Louisiana, both are sold into the Jensey household at a young age.
Monette was the privileged daughter of the slave owner who is bought to live in her new household as the companion for Kate, the planter’s daughter. Cyrus comes the opposite end of the spectrum and works in the fields. He endures physical labor and harsh punishment. While Monette’s life is easier she endures the psychological toll of constant scrutiny. Neither type of slavery is benign as both children are stripped of freedom and identity that leaves lasting scars. Through all of this they are able to form a close bond.
Torrey captures the cruelty of the system and the resilience of the children. He also introduces the unique perspective of the Jensey’s, owners who feel they are doing right by their slaves. This is part of a trilogy and I look forward to the next in the series. I found Fox Creek to be an emotional and memorable read.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers Sly Fox Publishing for an advance copy of this book. These opinions are my own.

Book Review: Fox Creek by M. E. Torrey
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I’ve read so many books on slavery, but this one is different. This one is written, mostly from the perspective of the white slave owners. It portrays some characters in a kind light, but brainwashed by religion into thinking that slavery was permissible. How convenient for them. 😡 It also portrays colorism and the tension between house and field slaves. The entire institution turns everyone against each other. Although there have been many books on slavery, they should continue to be told so that we can never forget.

One character in the novel is mentioned in the beginning and he seems to disappear throughout most of the story, making it feel incomplete. I think he should have had more of a role throughout the novel

I’m not going to give a summary of this novel. I will just say that I enjoyed it and I appreciate the extensive research done by the author. Be forewarned that although no book on slavery is happy, this one has some unexpected tragic circumstances that will leave you deeply affected. Thank you @NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #FoxCreek #Historicalfiction

Fox Creek is a powerful and moving read that tackles a difficult subject with honesty and care. The author does not shy away from the heaviness of the themes, but instead approaches them with sensitivity, weaving together a story that feels both authentic and deeply emotional.

This was honestly a hard book for me to get through at times, not because of the writing, but because of the subject matter itself. It’s heavy, and it lingers — but that’s also what makes it impactful. The characters are well-drawn, layered, and resilient, making it easy to become invested in their journeys. The pacing occasionally slowed for me, but the depth of the storytelling more than made up for it.

This is not a light or easy read, but it is an important one. Readers who appreciate stories that shine a light on painful realities while also offering hope and humanity will find Fox Creek meaningful.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

One word come to mind while reading this book -- privilege. Yes, I'm from the North and abhor all slavery stood for. Yes, I believe the South used slavery to promote its own political and economic agenda. No, the North wasn't correct in all things. That being said, one of the first scenes you read in this book is of a young mulatto girl being sold after living a life of loving luxury with her Papa, when he died. Shes put up on the auction block, dressed as she was and with her doll, looking like a little doll, and the plantation owner's children want her. The daughter begs, the son buys. Privilege.

Nonetheless becomes playmate for both children and believes herself a part of the family. A mistake on her part that is soon rectified by the mother of the plantation owner,when she comes across Monette, innocently enough, getting some fresh baked treats for the daughter. Mother beats child with a cane. Privilege. She doesn't approve of "relations" between the gentried whites and the barbaric "darkies." And then we come to the breaking point.

Son develops feelings for Monette, and she him. She is also chaffing under the restrictions now placed upon her as a house slave rather than the playmate for the spoiled daughter. She believes she is better than this, she was the daughter of a plantation ow er, too, so deserves better. What next happens comes as no surprise and yet for all the lack of surprise, is no less heartbreaking. How many lives shattered over a few moments indiscretion.

The different side stories are also sometimes hard to read. Preaching to the slaves from books titled, "Sermons for Servants"?!? Using scripture to keep the slaves downtrodden and in line. Runways and how they're caught and everybody along the line with their hands out waiting for palms to be greased for the.return of the " property."

Its also a slow read, slow build to a flat end. Kind of leaves you hanging.

I have read many books regarding plantations in the deep south during slavery and just like those books but with this book not only do i get the lives of the slaves( i dont like this word) but also the lives of the plantation owners.

This book was eye opening and i recommend to anyone who loves Historical fiction.

Thank you for letting me read this arc. My thoughts are my own

Beautifully written book about Pre-civil war South. Prespectives given from both the plantation owners and the slaves. Many times I felt I was right there beside the narrators.

This book was an instant 5 stars from me, with the characters and historic atmosphere capturing my interest within the first few chapters. A very character driven novel, each of them are well crafted, well-rounded and very well defined, giving a deep look into the mindset of people in this time frame and location, and how casual hatred and racist can cloud the views of people who consider themselves “good”.

The first moment little Monette is on the page, and her innocents and pure childish wonder is ripped away, left me gutted. Each page of her journey, and the growing trepidation for when she would be forced to realize that she was indeed viewed as “lesser” in this new home of hers, left me wanting nothing more than to grab that small child and protect her from that world. The moment Cyrus went into that shop, and never made it back home, left me truly heartbroken for a boy who the world failed. Their growing and maturing under the thumb of slavery was bitter, hallow, and the little sparks of brevity and joy brought a sense of hope to this world.

The depictions of William and Sara, the slave owning patriarch and matriarch of the family, as people who view themselves as good, loving, Christian folk who see nothing wrong with their enslavement of others provided a three-dimensional view of the white characters who could just as easily have been written as one-note and purely racist caricatures. At times the book lulls you in by their charming demeanor, only to abruptly remind you of the horrors that they perpetrate, and justify, on a day-to-day basis. The growing of the children in this environment, particularity Breck’s concerns about “all white boys become their fathers”, and Kate’s very casual acceptance of Monette going from friend to personal servant, provided interesting dynamics to their characters that kept them from becoming flat.

My one minor complaint was that I wasn’t too sure about the passage of time in some of the middle sections. It felt like more time had passed than it had, and at the same time there were moments where I’d missed that months had gone passed, thinking it only a few days. A rather minor nitpick to a book that I overall love and highly recommend to fans of historic fiction.

Honest review given in exchange for an ARC via NetGalley.

The story takes place on the plantation in Louisiana named "Fox Creek". The year is 1843, the Jensey family goes to a slave auction. A young child of six years old is being sold and her name is "Monette". She came from a plantation where a French Creole was a sugar planter. The planation owner had passed and his son sold her. She and a young boy named Cyrus were bought by the family. Cyrus never getting to say goodbye to his mother, he was taken and suddenly sold. Monette became their daughter's playmate. Cyrus was sent to work in the fields, a big boy for his young age.

The time is the Antebellum South, being the old south. The story line has many enslaved people on "Fox Creek". Each having a job to keep the planation running as smooth as possible. The book is penned in four parts from March 1943 to May 1851, a book of trilogy. The family includes Mars Williams, his wife, Sarah, his son, Breck and his daughter Kate. Then twin boys named George William and Thomas Jefferson Jensey born in January of 1844. Mars Williams also raises horses for racing.

I love historical fictions and the time era that this book was penned and reading novels that take place in the south as well. It very difficult to put down, as I wanted to see what was going to happen next with each character in the story line. Thank you M. E. Torrey for you wonderful talent in your penning this first adult book of your writings. I hope to read more historical novels written by you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing for this ARC. I enjoy historical fiction and this novel is set in the mid 1800's and describes plantation life, both from the owners and the slaves' perspectives. I really enjoyed getting insight into both and understanding the complex issues. It's hard to fathom the mindset towards slaves being inferior but that was the sad reality in those times. The novel is exceptionally long, close to 500 pages, but I found it interesting enough and it was not difficult to get through. I think anyone interested in this time period would appreciate this book.

Fox Creek offers a vivid portrait of life in the antebellum South, following both the enslaved and the Jensey family whose lives are bound together by circumstance and power. The narrative alternates perspectives, weaving together the stories of Monette, a young enslaved girl, Cyrus, a teenage boy, and the Jenseys—William, Sarah, Kate, and Breck. The book explores the structure of slavery, showing the separation between house slaves and field slaves, the complex relationships across those lines, and the shifting alliances and betrayals within the enslaved community. The dual perspectives give depth to both personal histories and the larger social context, making the relationships feel authentic and layered.

I found the story engaging and, in some ways, reminiscent of Alex Haley’s work. I appreciated how the author portrayed the interdependence of the Jenseys and the enslaved people in believable, historically grounded ways. The story doesn’t wrap everything up neatly, reflecting the uncertainty and harsh realities of slavery. My only drawback is that Cyrus, who is compelling early on, fades from the narrative after the first section. The focus shifts more heavily to Monette and the Jenseys, and I wished his storyline had been developed more consistently, as his early scenes hinted at greater depth.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sly Fox Publishing for providing an advance copy.

Great book. It was good to have the Antebellum South story include a slave perspective. The story gives you the lift of two slaves before they ever get to the market block until years later when they are mated. A good read from beginning to end. Target warning: Slavery, abuse, death, and sexual description.

Fox Creek is an honest historical fiction novel that follows the story of young Monette after she is sold into slavery at just 6 years old. Through her journey, she befriends Cyrus, and they adjust to life on a plantation together.

Monette’s POV was difficult to read as she was truly just a young girl with no guidance trying to figure things out. She struggled to learn her place amongst the house and amongst the other slaves. Everyone took advantage of her - Kate, Breck, William, and the other slaves.

I do wish we had more of Cyrus’ story and their connection. Cyrus was easily my favorite storyline and I secretly looked for his name on every runaway list.

Thank you for the opportunity of an eARC, and I am leaving this review willing.

Set in Louisiana in the mid-1800s, Fox Creek, by M. E. Torrey, explores the inner workings of a plantation and the family whose lives are tied to it. Monette and Cyrus are two slaves bought by the Jensen family, and while they work in different parts of the plantation, their lives come full circle as well. Monette has a huge impact on the two oldest children. It is a good look into the plantation system in an entertaining way. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

OMG! 5 STARS! 5 STARS! 5 STARS! Historical fiction is something that I can take in small doses but books like this can definitely change my mind.

In this book we look at Monette's life on a southern plantation. She was selling into slavery when she was 6 years old.So we are seeing the world from her perspective. We also meet Cyrus, a little boy who was also sold into slavery and works on the plantation.

This book was complex and emotional in all of the best ways. I feel like even though I wasn't alive during that time that this book brought a genuine authenticity to what was occurring and happening during this point in time in history.

Monette was what was deemed a "mullato" as she was half white and half black. However before being sold into slavery she was actually quite a pampered child. She was actually raised on the grounds of the plantation by her white father, basically living her best life. However, his passing basically changed the course of her life dramatically.

I feel like the authir took great care in writing this historical tale in such a way that it gives you a better understanding of this point in history. It made me feel so many differently emotions. There were moments where I smiled and laughed along with them and there were moments where my heart just sank.

This definitely should be a must read on everyone's list. It is one hundred percent a five star read for me.

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. It is an emotional read at times going between POV of slaves and people in the plantation owner's family. I wanted the missing pieces of their lives filled in, but as the slaves themselves didn't know their complete family histories, neither can we know. It was a hard read to put down, but I was wanting more at the end since it ends so abruptly. I feel that Monette and Cyrus deserve more and I like to imagine they got happier futures.

Unfortunately this didn't hook me and felt whilst it did offer a lot of detail, for me...it dragged. To the point I was skipping a few pages here and there, just far too long.

Some sections did move along well and kept me engaged but overall not a firm fave for me unfortunately.

This was a difficult review to write. I wanted to make sure
I was able to capture the importance of this book at a time when history is being white washed and rewritten. I applaud the author for commitment to the research and a story that both draws one in and saddens one's heart. Not everyone will want to read it... but they should.

This is a novel set in the south of America in the 1860s, following the Jersey family, residents of Fox Creek, and exploring how their lives interfere with those of others, ultimately shaping their destiny.

This novel is less about historical incidents and more about the nature of life in the south at the time, for both the white people and those enslaved. It deals with how differently people saw that situation and delt with it.

But what this book did best was presenting a unique and forbidden love story, a love that was not supposed to be but that was, because when two human souls truly collide no custom nor law can stop them.

I loved the writing so much, and the characters were so well written that I felt their pain and wished them the best with the full measure of my spirit, and I feel so sad that my journey with them has come to an end.

This story was a masterpiece, one that I'll keep thinking about for too long, and though it was comparatively long, I still want much more, there are many questions that I'm longing to get answers for, and many details that I wish were there, but for that I shall lean on my imagination to fill the blanks.

The story starts out with Monette, a six year old who is the daughter of a slave and a white plantation owner. Her mom died giving birth but her father accepted her as his and was raised in the house. She was schooled in French and was living as a rich daughter of a plantation owner, accustomed to nice clothes, shopping, etc. After her father passes, her half brother, upset she was of mixed race, sold her to a slave trader. She meets Cyrus on the way to New Orleans to be sold. They are sold to the same family, the Jenseys. The family wants Monette to teach their kids how to speak French (but of course they do not question how well the girl can speak English and French). Monette has no idea she is a slave and thinks Kate and her are equals. Kate, Breck, Monette and Cyrus are playmates throughout the beginning of the book.The other slaves in the house try to tell her she is a slave. As a slave owner, the Jensey family is kind to their slaves, relatively speaking.

The book is well-written and easy to read. I do like how each chapter follows a certain character. When the book jumps 5 years ahead, there is no mention of Cyrus at all and then he shows up once more and then again at the end. There are so many subplots that you didn't know where the book was going and in the end, I was very disappointed in how it ended.

In my opinion, terms like "field hand" instead of slave whitewashes the history of slavery, I do like how in the Note section at the end of the book the author acknowledges being a privileged white person so how can she write a book about the effect of slavery on the blacks themselves, That was my biggest complaint with the book, so I am glad she acknowledged it.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/231138248

First, thank you to Net Gallery for the opportunity to read this book.

Set antebellum South between 1843 and 1851, Fox Creek weaves a poignant and at times harrowing tale of a young mulatto girl sold into slavery in Louisiana after the death of her white French Creole father. What begins as a childhood marked by relative comfort — serving as a playmate to the plantation owner’s daughter — slowly transitions into a life of servitude told largely through the girls perspective.

Torrey delivers a richly detailed narrative with a broad cast of characters and vivid period context. The depth of description adds texture but at times it borders on excess, occasionally slowing the pace. The story is undeniably engaging and emotionally resonant, particularly in the early and middle sections. However, the final chapters become a bit tangled and the resolution, while satisfying, takes longer to arrive than perhaps it should.

Overall, Fox Creek is a worthwhile read for those interested in historical fiction with complex characters and layered storytelling — just be prepared for a long and sometimes winding journey.