Sing Her Down

Pochada always gives us a lens into women’s darker spaces, and this prison novel is no exception. Again she transcends the genre of thriller into dark literary fiction, while still satisfying the thriller itch. This book was something else!

A biting, beautiful character study with so much heart. I am newly in love with Ivy Pochoda, and I didn’t even know about her until now. This book is worth the journey, and though the premise (prison, pandemic) is interesting by itself, the character study is what makes it. You will care about the characters, and you should. Thank you for the ARC, this review is written purely based on opinion.

Ivy Pochoda is the queen of unique genre-bending, captivating thrillers, and I was EXCITED to get this eARC from Netgalley. Read ONE book by Ivy Pochoda, you will immediately know if you are a fan of her work, and if you are, she will draw you always draw you back - I, for example, am a "forever fan" and this novel not only examines the absurdity of our unjust justice system, it also reminds us that we are all just one step from being who we are currently judging. One of the most thought provoking novels of the year!

"No Country for Old Men meets Killing Eve" is what drew me in from the beginning, and I'm so glad I got to read this. It worked well with the Western genre, the story was really entertaining and does everything that I was hoping for. The characters were uniquely written and I'm glad they felt like real people. Ivy Pochoda does a great job in creating a story that I'd want to read and read more from her.

"Then came that moment she’d read about in books, seen in movies, when Florida had hoped that it had all been a dream—the explosion, the dancing man, his screams that she’d imagined were a song. But the gas and smoke smell in the car had jolted her back to reality. She’d slipped away and called her mother, who called her lawyer, who said the only thing Florida could do was turn Carter in, turn against him. If she didn’t, she’d be charged as a full accomplice."

I am in awe of this novel. By far the best book I've read this year. I'm inclined to reach out to Ms. Pochoda and get a signed copy, that's how much this book has impacted me as a reader. It's not that it's full of lessons or guides, or anything that is going to change anyone's life for every reader, but there are parts that moved me, that I can't shake, so the impact is real. And yes I mean, there are those scenes that are likely present that will change readers, and yes, there were some parts that had some pretty big impactful moments for me, but the writing. The writing is out of control beautiful. The characters of Florida, Dios, Kace, & Lobos are exquisitely rendered. The story is amazingly tactful and well-constructed. The scenes of a COVID lockdown country are immaculately drawn up. It's a novel that is just an amazing thing to hold in my hands.

I suppose I would compare this novel and Pochoda's writing to that of MFS or S.A. Cosby. It's grit-lit, but Westcoast. It's Southern noir but set on the other side of the country. The way these characters are written is flawless. The opening and ending scenes are so emotionally strong I literally set my coy down and uttered the word "wow". That doesn't happen very often. I would love to go into detail on the story, but I won't. You have to experience it. But, it's about two women who are early released from prison. It's about secrets. It's about finding who you are, who you were, and who you want to be. It's about strong women taking it to the man and it's a book that I won't soon forget. Well done Ms. Pochoda. This book is a triumph.