Characters: 9/10
Kya is an unforgettable force of nature—literally. She’s a walking embodiment of resilience, solitude, and marsh-wisdom, making her one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve read. The side characters? They do their jobs well. Tate is sweet, Jumpin’ is a gem, and Chase is exactly as slimy as he needs to be. The townies are gloriously small-minded, which makes it easy to root against them. Everyone serves a purpose, and no one feels like unnecessary filler.

Atmosphere/Setting: 10/10
If Delia Owens wanted me to consider ditching civilization to go live in a shack by the marsh, mission accomplished. The setting is practically its own character—lush, haunting, and breathtakingly detailed. The way Owens describes nature makes you want to grab a boat and start collecting feathers. I could practically hear the cicadas and smell the salt air.

Writing Style: 9/10
Owens writes like a poet who fell in love with the wilderness and decided the rest of us needed to get on her level. The prose is rich, evocative, and downright stunning at times. Sure, she can get a little indulgent with descriptions (did we need that much marsh-talk?), but honestly, I didn’t mind. The dialogue is realistic, and the balance of narration and action works well. It’s lyrical without veering into purple-prose territory.

Plot: 8/10
The dual timeline structure keeps things interesting, and I was hooked on both Kya’s coming-of-age saga and the murder mystery. However, some parts feel a tad predictable, and the big reveal at the end isn’t as shocking as the book seems to think it is. That said, the pacing is mostly solid, and the story delivers enough intrigue to keep the pages turning.

Intrigue: 9/10
It’s the kind of book that makes you ignore responsibilities and read until 2 a.m. The mystery, Kya’s survival, her relationships, and the sheer injustice of her situation keep the tension high. Even in the slower sections, I wanted to keep going. No lulls long enough to break the spell.

Logic/Relationships: 9/10
The relationships, especially between Kya and Tate, feel genuine and well-developed. The town’s ostracization of Kya is both believable and infuriating—because, of course, small-town folk would rather whisper about a “swamp girl” than offer basic human kindness. The legal aspects of the trial could have been tighter, but it wasn’t egregious enough to ruin the tension. A few moments push the bounds of believability, but nothing too outrageous.

Enjoyment: 10/10
This book absolutely delivers. It’s emotional, immersive, and the kind of novel that lingers long after you close it. Even when I was rolling my eyes at some of the more dramatic moments, I was still 100% invested. Would I recommend it? Oh, without a doubt. Would I reread it? Probably, while sitting on a beach pretending I’m Kya.

Final Verdict:
A beautifully written, atmospheric novel with a compelling protagonist, a solid mystery, and a setting so vivid you’ll want to move there (minus the murder). A must-read for anyone who loves lyrical writing, nature, and an underdog story with a satisfying, if somewhat predictable, conclusion.