Oh my gosh
Thank you so much for allowing me to read this ARC of M.E. Torreys 1st adult novel
Also being a northern I found this book very fascinating and loved the story of the families
I agree with her as far as hoping that one day we don’t see colors but only people

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book started off with a bang and I was hoping for a 5 star book. But then the storyline got slow until the last few chapters. The author doesn't hold back on the horrible treatment of the slaves and the events are plausible. Overall, I give it 3.5.

Fox Creek’s author, M.E. Torrey, is my sister, but I hope my review will be in-depth enough to have merit and stand on its own.

Fox Creek is a story about a culture that smothers independent thought, skews religious truth, and pits some human beings against others. It is a story about slavery, about relationships, and about people—white, Black, and mixed-race—caught in this moral morass.

The story opens with Monette, a child born of a Black mother and white father, cosseted and beloved until her father dies and she is sold. She meets Cyrus, a boy sold before being allowed to say goodbye to his mother, and together they survive the first harrowing weeks of their new, terrifying life, eventually ending up at Fox Creek, a plantation owned by the Jensey family.

The Jenseys’ portrayal is chilling: the normalization of slavery, the nonchalance of forcing other human beings to keep the plantation going—all while being considered benevolent by the standards of that society.

It’s easy to despise the slave owners who were cruel. But what of the “righteous” ones who believed they were being faithful, living in accordance with their church’s teachings and the laws of the land? It begs the question: what are WE blind to? What evils have we been—or are—party to, that we’ve been taught are our right, our due?

Fox Creek is fascinating in that it inhabits the minds and lives not just of the enslaved, but also those who enslave. What does it take to be able to claim another human being as your property? How must your religion skew—twist itself into convenient knots—so that you can sleep at night with a clear conscience?

And yet…how many of us can see beyond our culture, the stew we’ve simmered in since birth, and see its ugliness? Fox Creek challenges us to look within, to take our own inventory, to seek truth beyond the confines of our own cultural upbringing.

I have never read a book in which all the characters—flawed, blind in some way, yet deeply human—are so beautifully conceived, with unflinching honesty, without the writer acting as judge and jury, leaving space for the reader. The story is told in that uncomfortable, intimate space where human beings—Black, white, and mixed-race—share daily life, know each other’s families and children, share the intimacy of birth and death—and yet one ruthlessly oppresses the other.
The reader sees people fumbling through life within an enforced, arbitrary caste system that designates some as “property” and others as “lawful owners.” There are no easy answers in Fox Creek, but rather the tragedy of a failed, blinded society—one whose reverberations are still being felt today.

Six year-old Monette grew up as the pampered daughter of a French Creole sugar planter. When her father dies, his son sells her into slavery. She and a young boy, Cyrus, are bought at auction by William Jensey and taken to Fox Creek plantation in Louisiana. Cyrus is sent to the fields to work but Monette, who speaks French, becomes the companion to their daughter,Kate. Monette is to teach Kate some French and she and Kate become best friends. Monette thinks that she is part of the family and doesn't realize that her light colored skin still makes her a Negro. The other slaves in the household think that Monette is uppity because of her higher place in the household as Kate's companion and as her attachment to Kate and her brother,Breck, becomes stronger, their lives are turned upside down.

I was pulled into this story set in the 1834 antebellum south from the very first page. Although the descriptions of slavery were difficult to read, I loved this family saga with a strong sense of place, well drawn characters, the description of the daily workings of the plantation and the gripping plot of a way of life that is facing a divided nation. Fox Creek begs for a sequel. I hope you are listening M.E. Torrey!

Fox Creek will be published on September 1, 2025. Thanks to Sly Fox Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy.

Fox Creek is a story about the oppression of slavery in the South just prior to the Civil War and those of privilege who owned them. Focused mainly on Monette, a biracial child sold into slavery to become a companion to the wealthy Fox Creek Plantation owner's daughter, Kate. The two become fast and loyal friends, which angers the majority of the other slaves within the plantation and gradually begins to concern Kate's parents. In addition, there is a growing attraction between Monette and Breck, Kate's older brother, which is, of course, strictly forbidden. William is a firm and sometimes kind owner and master of the plantation but he does not spare the whip when something does not go his way. Sarah, his wife, is kind and compassionate towards the slaves but still understands the way of the South and how inferior the black race is and has no problem saying so. (This part of the book was just so disturbing, yet insightful, as to how things were in that period of time.)

While I enjoyed this book and found it to be an interesting read, it was definitely disturbing; however, concerning the subject, that should not be too surprising. I did, however, have a hard time with some of the storylines as I felt there were issues addressed yet never brought to conclusion. The ending was also extremely disappointing and I am not even sure I completely understand what exactly happened. I want full closure when I read a book not a draw-your-own conclusion ending.

I enjoyed this book a lot! I thought the character development was great. Going into it, I thought it was a standalone novel and ended with a lot of loose ends unfinished. Now knowing there should be two more makes me excited to see where it goes!

Every so often a book comes along that really moves you. “Fox Creek” is one of those books. Though the author tells the story of a slave owning family from both the slave and owner points of view, and though she is White, emotions run raw when a slave tells their story. These are the same emotions I felt years ago while reading “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe, who was also a White author.

I say all this because I don’t want some readers to be thrown off thinking their history of bondage is being appropriated by someone whose ancestors didn’t walk the walk. The author brings up this point in her Author’s Note, describing scales that fell from her eyes during the 30 years she took to write it. Torrey noted hearts connect us as humans, not just skin, culture, etc., and she hopes readers understand that stories of “one” become “stories of all” due to our “shared humanity.”

Give “Fox Creek” a chance. I’m glad I did.

Highly recommended for Adults.

Fox Creek is a powerful, poetic exploration of identity, silence, and survival in 1840s Louisiana. Through the story of Monette—a biracial girl sold into slavery and brought to the Fox Creek plantation—Torrey captures the quiet devastation of a life uprooted and rewritten by force.

Told in a fragmented, lyrical style that mirrors the erasure of voices under slavery, this novel doesn’t shout to be heard—it lingers, haunting you with what’s left unsaid. Every gap, every silence, carries weight.

Torrey’s characters are layered, flawed, and deeply human. Monette’s journey is both heartbreaking and defiant. The emotional undercurrents are subtle but devastating, and the prose is stunning in its restraint.

This is not a comforting read, but it is an essential one. Unflinching, beautifully crafted, and deeply affecting—
Thank you netgalley

I feel way better informed about slavery after reading Torrey's historical novel, Fox Creek. Both sides of the picture became very evident.

In 1843 six-year-old Monette, a mixed-race child and Cyrus who had befriended her on their trip to the auction, were both purchased by the Jensey family. At that time the Jensey parents, William and Sarah, had a boy, Breck and a girl, Kate. Most of this epic story follows the Jensey family.

Set on a plantation (Fox Creek) in antebellum Louisiana, the family deals with sickness, birth and death, romance, a rogue and dangerous slave names Sawney, in-laws, punishment and much more. Kirkus Reviews says the novel delivers indelible characters, which I totally agree with. I spend many nights in bed prior to sleeping with the three-dimensional Jensey family and couldn't wait to find out what happened next.

It was quite evident, even before reading the author's notes, that Torrey did her research. From the banter between characters, the authentic language, descriptions and metaphors everything rang true of that time and place. I highly recommend Fox Creek.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of Fox Creek by M.E. Torrey. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wow, what a ride. The story of Monette, a six year old who is sold into slavery after the death of her father, a Creole sugar planter in New Orleans. Taking place before the Civil War, this is a story of survival. Monette, along with Cyrus is sold to a rich cotton plantation owner. Monette is to be the playmate of Kate. Since Monette is mixed race, she truly doesn't fit in with the black slaves at the plantation. At the same time, however, she isn't white so she's not treated fairly by the family either.

The years pass, slaves are bought and sold, Monette falls in love with the elder son of the house and he, with she. Only time will tell what will happen to the two of them, along with all the other people we meet along the way.

It probably could be edited down a bit (do we need every detail of Sarah's pregnancies?) but all in all, worth reading.

The novel is set on a plantation in the antebellum south. It centres on Monette, a mixed race girl, who's sold into slavery along with an enslaved boy called Cyrus. While Monette works in the grand house, Cyrus is sent to the fields.

I'd like to say what connects them is their love, as the blrub suggests, but it isn't. Cyrus' love is unrequited; Monette forgets him after their separation.

And so the story is meandering, painting a sprawling picture of life on a plantation in the 1840s. It would have been more interesting if there'd been more of the perspective of the enslaved people, because the only Black perspective we get is Monette's, who's, I'm both sad and sorry to say, so spoiled that she didn't click with me. I found other characters, like Sarah and Crone Juju, more interesting. The story of everyday life is interesting enough, but I kept waiting for something to happen. It does in the last ten percent of the story, and then everything comes crashing down. I would have found it more interesting to see how the characters deal with the catastrophe. But it just ends on a desolate note.

Michelle Torrey put a lot of time and effort into the worlbuilding and historical research, and as such it shines. The details and the atmosphere are truly stunning. I really enjoyed the way she writes the children and teenage characters.

All in all it's a 3.5 star read for me.

Thank you to netgalley.com for an ARC.

Set in Louisiana in the 1850s, the author handles the details of slavery well. She handles the complexity of the characters well. The slave owners are not presented as all bad, but with all the complexity of their perspective in their time. Intense at many points. Realistic. Compelling.
Thank you to Net Galley and Sly Fox Publishing for my Advanced Reader copy. The review is my own

While this is a more character-driven novel, I had a hard time putting it down, wanting to know what was going to happen next with each of the characters. It was really well done, balancing between each character’s voice and perspective with just the right amount of time for each.

This was an interesting take, being a sort of rounded perspective of both those who were slaves and the plantation owners. The setting with the Fox Creek plantation showed more of a shade of gray, where this family wasn’t some of the worst individuals we’ve all read about, but still had the same horrible and absurd view of a group of people being less-than, and takes you into their mindsets, as utterly flawed or even depraved as they were.

It was devastatingly sad in some parts, as we knew it would be, watching the treatment of people sold and forced into slavery, hopeful as you watched children of all colors playing together before fully acclimated to their racist environment and upbringing, sad and disgusting as you see the complete dichotomy of teaching someone about Jesus one second and dehumanizing them the next, to serve their overall human selfishness.

A well written read. Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

As an avid reader of many genres, The Fox stands out as one of the most affecting novels I have read in a long time. It does more than tell a story. It puts you inside it and asks you to feel what the characters cannot escape.

Set in Louisiana in the 1840s, the novel follows Monette, a young biracial girl sold into slavery after her father dies. She is brought to Fox Creek Plantation and placed in the household of the white family who owns the land. Cyrus, a boy from her former community, is taken to the fields. Watching their paths diverge within the same system of control is painful and eye opening.

The characters feel real and multi-layered. Monette wrestles with who she is allowed to be and who she knows herself to be. Cyrus carries strength, loyalty, and anger that the reader cannot ignore. The plantation family and the people they own are shown with emotional complexity. No one reads as a single note. Choices matter. Silences matter.

The structure shifts among points of view and sometimes includes letters or short reflections. At first I had to adjust to that but it soon it felt natural and helped the story feel like lived memory. History is rarely neat, and the form reflects that.

Torrey writes about slavery with honesty and care. The violence and injustice are not exaggerated but shown for what they were, systemic, cruel, and deeply human in their impact. The emotional weight of the story comes from this quiet truthfulness.

The pacing is steady rather than quick. This gives you time to absorb the setting, the relationships, and the moral weight of what is happening. Readers looking for nonstop action may find it slow. Those who value character and meaning will find it deeply rewarding.

The Fox is beautifully written, emotionally rich, and thoughtful about race, identity, and power. It does not give easy comfort, but it offers something better: a story that matters. I recommend it highly to readers of historical and literary fiction and to anyone who wants a book that stays on your mind long after you finish.

I’ve given this story four stars. It was very interesting to read about the divide between the white and black cultures of the slave era. I almost wanted to give up at times because the middle was very slow, but I kept going. If you enjoy historical novels, you might enjoy this one. It’s very sad to think about how people were treated during the slave era.

„Fox Creek“ is a novel by M. E. Torrey. It deals with the heavy topic of slavery in English Louisiana in the mid-19th century. Over the course of several years, the novel sheds light on the lives and living conditions of various people, including the white Jensey family, the owners of Fox Creek Plantation, as well as various black slaves who worked there. The narrative perspective changes frequently between the protagonists.

Unfortunately, I didn't like the book for a number of reasons, which is why I rated it with 2 stars.

Firstly, I found the language difficult to understand, sentences were sometimes very long and it was difficult to maintain the flow of reading. It felt very long-winded to me and I had the feeling that many situations could have been described more quickly.

Secondly, I don‘t think many situations were realized properly. There were definitely some exciting parts, but the plot oftentimes broke off abruptly at the most exciting point. I would have liked the tension to reach its climax and for something really dramatic to happen. This wasn't the case until shortly before the end of the book.

At the end of the book, I didn't know what I had read it for. It had no added value for me and I merely felt as if I had been given a few years of insight into the lives of the protagonists. Nothing earth-shattering happened that engaged me or continued to make me think after reading - a great pity given the depth and complexity of the subject.

I want to mention some positive aspects as well. I liked the dynamic between the protagonists, which struck me as very authentic. I thought the characters were beautifully described, very likeable and it was easy to empathize with their emotions. Also, I appreciated getting an insight into what was happening from different perspectives.

I want to thank M. E. Torrey, Sly Fox Publishing and NetGalley for providing me a review copy of the book, I am very grateful for that.

Wow! I don't know where to start, this is a 5 star book for me. It is an epic tale, very character driven. By Chapter 2 of book one I was welling up with tears.

This book is set in the deep south, 19th century American and it follows the lives of people from very different circumstances. The book starts off by showing the lives of two children forced into slavery. The disregard for their lives, the dehumanising - it was a heartbreaking read but I was so attached to the characters I couldn't put the book down.

It is a long story, the middle possibly dragged on a little but it picked up again.

The story is very complex and I found it incredibly difficult at times, as it was harrowing to me. However, I became very emotionally attached to the characters and their lives and complexities and tragedies that came with it, I was sad to finish this book and let go of these characters.

The authors note mentions how the author struggled writing this book as a white woman, and I must admit I feel this way about writing the review. I feel ignorant to the pain and suffering of the characters, when I said I was gasping out loud at parts of this story I am not exaggerating. I feel strange when I say I loved this book because of the topic, but It truly made me feel real emotions - even if they weren't necessarily good ones.

This book for me is 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 here. It took me a while to get into this book; well, maybe I don't mean that. I was interested at first, and then I lost some interest in the middle, but when I reached the end, I was hooked once again. So, I was glad I did not give up on it. When I first started this book, I was intrigued by the story of Monette and the story of Sarah and her children. But at some point, I was tired of it. I did not feel that the plot was moving along much, and I had some difficulty relating to the characters. From reading the author's note, I know the author had some misgivings about writing this story as a white woman telling a story of enslavement, and maybe sometimes it was hard to get past that idea and voice.

As a teacher of American history, I have read many stories, both nonfiction and fiction, from this time period, and sometimes this one did not ring true for me, and I can't quite put my finger on what it was. I thank NetGalley and SlyFox Publishing for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

A hard, biting look at Antebellum Louisiana and the prejudice on both sides for those of mixed ethnicity. I hope there will be a sequel exploring Fox Creek and Monette in the final years before the Civil War, during the war, and after.

I don't even know how to fully write this review as I enjoyed it, but I felt some things lacked. I am hoping to have all my thoughts put together before I truly write this review.
I loved the characters and my heart broke for Monette I wanted answers for her. I felt we didn't get them fully.