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Sing Her Down
No Country for Old Men meets Killing Eve in this gritty, feminist Western thriller from the award-winning author of These Women.
Florence "Florida" Baum is not the hapless innocent she claims to be when she arrives at the Arizona women's prison―or so her ex-cellmate, Diosmary Sandoval, keeps insinuating.
Dios knows the truth about Florida's crimes, understands the truth that Florence hides even from herself: that she wasn't a victim of circumstance, an unlucky bystander misled by a bad man. Dios knows that darkness lives in women too, despite the world's refusal to see it. And she is determined to open Florida's eyes and unleash her true self.
When an unexpected reprieve gives both women their freedom, Dios's fixation on Florida turns into a dangerous obsession, and a deadly cat-and-mouse chase ensues from Arizona to the desolate streets of Los Angeles.
With blistering, incisive prose, the award-winning author Ivy Pochoda delivers a razor-sharp Western. Gripping and immersive, Sing Her Down is a spellbinding thriller setting two indelible women on a path to certain destruction and an epic, stunning showdown.
Florence "Florida" Baum is not the hapless innocent she claims to be when she arrives at the Arizona women's prison―or so her ex-cellmate, Diosmary Sandoval, keeps insinuating.
Dios knows the truth about Florida's crimes, understands the truth that Florence hides even from herself: that she wasn't a victim of circumstance, an unlucky bystander misled by a bad man. Dios knows that darkness lives in women too, despite the world's refusal to see it. And she is determined to open Florida's eyes and unleash her true self.
When an unexpected reprieve gives both women their freedom, Dios's fixation on Florida turns into a dangerous obsession, and a deadly cat-and-mouse chase ensues from Arizona to the desolate streets of Los Angeles.
With blistering, incisive prose, the award-winning author Ivy Pochoda delivers a razor-sharp Western. Gripping and immersive, Sing Her Down is a spellbinding thriller setting two indelible women on a path to certain destruction and an epic, stunning showdown.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 23, 2023
About the author
Ivy Pochoda
9 books658 followersIvy Pochoda is the author of the critically acclaimed novel Visitation Street published by Ecco / Dennis Lehane Books. Visitation Street was chosen as an Amazon Best Book of the Month, Amazon Best Book of 2013, and a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Huffington Post, Self, and House & Garden. Her first novel The Art of Disappearing, was published by St. Martin’s Press in 2009. She has a BA from Harvard College in Classical Greek and an MFA from Bennington College in fiction. Ivy grew up in Brooklyn, NY and currently lives in downtown Los Angeles with her husband Justin Nowell.
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June 8, 2023
Plot: 4.5⭐️
Audio Narration: 5⭐️
“You won’t believe what women can do.
These women- their mistake was in thinking they burned with their own unique rage. Something deeper, darker than what the rest of us feel.
Let me tell you- inside we all rage the same. It’s how we let it out that differs.”
Diana Diosmary “Dios” Sandoval and Florence “Florida” Baum are inmates in a women’s correctional facility in Arizona. As the pandemic rages on, both of their sentences are commuted and they are released on parole. Florida and Dios have a history – something that ties them to a violent event in the prison and Dios has knowledge of secrets about Florida’s arrest and her actual role in the crime that landed her in prison – secrets that Florida is desperate to protect. Dios holds this knowledge over Florida’s head and is fixated on proving that Florida, who comes from an affluent background and hopes to leave her time in prison behind her, is no less a violent criminal than Dios believes she is. After they are released from prison, Dios stalks Florida, refusing to back down as Florida struggles to gain control of her life.
Sing Her Down by Ivy Pochoda is a dark, gritty and immersive novel that I could not put down. I finished it in a single day! The narrative is shared from the perspectives of four women – Dios, Florida and Kase, another prisoner who was incarcerated with Dios and Florida, who shares her unique perspectives on the psyche of women whose lives are plagued by crime and violence. We also meet Detective Lobos, surrounded by violence in her work life and dealing with her troubled marriage,who crosses paths with Dios and Florida and tries to gain some insight into these two women while pursuing them. Through flashbacks, we get to know more about Dios and Florida, their backstories and the events that led to their incarceration. The characterizations are superb and the author does a superb job of giving us a glimpse into the innermost thoughts of these characters, all of whom are plagued by their own demons. The setting of the story changes from Arizona to Los Angeles and the author describes each of these settings with vivid imagery that only adds to the atmosphere of the novel.
“There is no magic in the world, no point wasting time detangling patterns and problems, in rationalizing yourself for others, in explaining yourself away and prophesying your next move.”
With its exceptional writing, consistent pacing, complex characters and gripping narrative, this novel reeled me in from the very first page. This is a thought-provoking story and these women and their stories will stay with me.This is my first Ivy Pochoda novel and it surely won’t be my last!
However, I should point out that this is not a light or easy read. There are disturbing scenes of prison violence and the story does venture into dark territory.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the digital review copy of this novel, I was fortunate to also receive the ALC of this novel from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio which made for an exceptional immersion reading experience. The phenomenal full-cast audio narration by Frankie Corzo, Kimberly M. Wetherell, Sophie Amoss, and Victoria Villarreal made these characters and the story come alive. I would definitely recommend both the book and /or the audiobook.
“Sometimes in here it feels like all you have to yourself is the thing that brought you inside. The thing that belongs to you proper—the weight you carry. That’s it. There’s no other you. And you have to reshape that thing into something you can live with, mold it and sculpt it until it fits tight to your body but doesn’t overwhelm you. They don’t know that at the end of the day, the everyday is all there is.”
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Audio Narration: 5⭐️
“You won’t believe what women can do.
These women- their mistake was in thinking they burned with their own unique rage. Something deeper, darker than what the rest of us feel.
Let me tell you- inside we all rage the same. It’s how we let it out that differs.”
Diana Diosmary “Dios” Sandoval and Florence “Florida” Baum are inmates in a women’s correctional facility in Arizona. As the pandemic rages on, both of their sentences are commuted and they are released on parole. Florida and Dios have a history – something that ties them to a violent event in the prison and Dios has knowledge of secrets about Florida’s arrest and her actual role in the crime that landed her in prison – secrets that Florida is desperate to protect. Dios holds this knowledge over Florida’s head and is fixated on proving that Florida, who comes from an affluent background and hopes to leave her time in prison behind her, is no less a violent criminal than Dios believes she is. After they are released from prison, Dios stalks Florida, refusing to back down as Florida struggles to gain control of her life.
Sing Her Down by Ivy Pochoda is a dark, gritty and immersive novel that I could not put down. I finished it in a single day! The narrative is shared from the perspectives of four women – Dios, Florida and Kase, another prisoner who was incarcerated with Dios and Florida, who shares her unique perspectives on the psyche of women whose lives are plagued by crime and violence. We also meet Detective Lobos, surrounded by violence in her work life and dealing with her troubled marriage,who crosses paths with Dios and Florida and tries to gain some insight into these two women while pursuing them. Through flashbacks, we get to know more about Dios and Florida, their backstories and the events that led to their incarceration. The characterizations are superb and the author does a superb job of giving us a glimpse into the innermost thoughts of these characters, all of whom are plagued by their own demons. The setting of the story changes from Arizona to Los Angeles and the author describes each of these settings with vivid imagery that only adds to the atmosphere of the novel.
“There is no magic in the world, no point wasting time detangling patterns and problems, in rationalizing yourself for others, in explaining yourself away and prophesying your next move.”
With its exceptional writing, consistent pacing, complex characters and gripping narrative, this novel reeled me in from the very first page. This is a thought-provoking story and these women and their stories will stay with me.This is my first Ivy Pochoda novel and it surely won’t be my last!
However, I should point out that this is not a light or easy read. There are disturbing scenes of prison violence and the story does venture into dark territory.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the digital review copy of this novel, I was fortunate to also receive the ALC of this novel from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio which made for an exceptional immersion reading experience. The phenomenal full-cast audio narration by Frankie Corzo, Kimberly M. Wetherell, Sophie Amoss, and Victoria Villarreal made these characters and the story come alive. I would definitely recommend both the book and /or the audiobook.
“Sometimes in here it feels like all you have to yourself is the thing that brought you inside. The thing that belongs to you proper—the weight you carry. That’s it. There’s no other you. And you have to reshape that thing into something you can live with, mold it and sculpt it until it fits tight to your body but doesn’t overwhelm you. They don’t know that at the end of the day, the everyday is all there is.”
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May 23, 2023
“Darkness lives in women too-despite the world’s refusal to see it”
Florence "Florida" Baum and her ex-cellmate, Diosmary “Dios” Sandoval, are released from an AZ prison early, due to overcrowding during the Covid pandemic. They are to quarantine in the Sleep Away, a motor court style motel, for two weeks, and then they must find a place to live, and check in with a probation officer weekly.
Dios thinks she knows the truth about Florida's crimes, thinks she understands the truth that she hides even from herself and she is determined to open Florida's eyes and unleash that truth.
Her fixation on Florida turns into a dangerous obsession, and a deadly cat-and-mouse game that leads them to a stand-off in the harsh streets of Los Angeles, where discarded Covid masks litter the desolate streets, even among the community of the homeless, and their tents.
Each of those people has a story that has led them there: “Lose your wife, lose your savings, lose your home, lose your friends, lose your way, lose your mind” -stories that one cop, Lobos is interested in hearing.
The book is divided into two parts, with part one reading like an exposé of the gritty, violent day to day life in prison and part two offering the same on the night to night reality of life on the L.A. streets following release, where Lobos and her partner, Easton, will search for the escaped parolees.
First off, calling this a WESTERN, is perplexing and that was putting me off of requesting the book.
I picture a period from the 1850s to the end of the 19th century, which embodies the spirit and struggle of the new frontier, when something is called a WESTERN. This story doesn’t qualify just because the women are released from an AZ prison, and end up FACING OFF in L.A.
But, I loved the authors last release, “These Women” (5 stars) so, I took a chance on this one.
My personal enjoyment level of the story was only 3 stars-(I don’t enjoy prison settings, and graphic violence) but some beautiful passages, and thought provoking writing could easily earn the CRIME FICTION book the full 5 stars-so, I am settling on 4 stars, for my rating.
NOW AVAILABLE!
A buddy read with DeAnn-so be sure to watch for her review for additional insight!
Thank You to MCD Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Florence "Florida" Baum and her ex-cellmate, Diosmary “Dios” Sandoval, are released from an AZ prison early, due to overcrowding during the Covid pandemic. They are to quarantine in the Sleep Away, a motor court style motel, for two weeks, and then they must find a place to live, and check in with a probation officer weekly.
Dios thinks she knows the truth about Florida's crimes, thinks she understands the truth that she hides even from herself and she is determined to open Florida's eyes and unleash that truth.
Her fixation on Florida turns into a dangerous obsession, and a deadly cat-and-mouse game that leads them to a stand-off in the harsh streets of Los Angeles, where discarded Covid masks litter the desolate streets, even among the community of the homeless, and their tents.
Each of those people has a story that has led them there: “Lose your wife, lose your savings, lose your home, lose your friends, lose your way, lose your mind” -stories that one cop, Lobos is interested in hearing.
The book is divided into two parts, with part one reading like an exposé of the gritty, violent day to day life in prison and part two offering the same on the night to night reality of life on the L.A. streets following release, where Lobos and her partner, Easton, will search for the escaped parolees.
First off, calling this a WESTERN, is perplexing and that was putting me off of requesting the book.
I picture a period from the 1850s to the end of the 19th century, which embodies the spirit and struggle of the new frontier, when something is called a WESTERN. This story doesn’t qualify just because the women are released from an AZ prison, and end up FACING OFF in L.A.
But, I loved the authors last release, “These Women” (5 stars) so, I took a chance on this one.
My personal enjoyment level of the story was only 3 stars-(I don’t enjoy prison settings, and graphic violence) but some beautiful passages, and thought provoking writing could easily earn the CRIME FICTION book the full 5 stars-so, I am settling on 4 stars, for my rating.
NOW AVAILABLE!
A buddy read with DeAnn-so be sure to watch for her review for additional insight!
Thank You to MCD Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
May 28, 2023
In a Nutshell: A gritty cat-and-mouse chase thriller focussing on one woman’s obsession with another, the differentiator being that both women are just-released prisoners. A bit too grisly for my taste. But the author *can* write, no doubt!
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
🔥 Excellent prose! I’m not that fond of literary flourishes in the thriller genre as they feel quite artificial, but still, I can’t deny that the author is brilliant at stringing words together. I would have highlighted quite a few lines had I been reading the physical or digital version.
🔥 The depiction of the pandemic and its impact on the homeless and the marginalised. Most covid-related fiction so far has focussed on those with means, so this was a welcome and exceptional portrayal. Seeing characters afraid of a cough brought back some guilty yet funny memories.
🔥 The characters, with the possible exception of Dios, are carved quite intricately. They come across as realistic despite their unusual circumstances. Though we see them only in third person, there is still enough to help us understand their nature.
🔥 Wonderful use of the locations to create an atmosphere of nail-biting tension. Beginning in Arizona and ending in Los Angeles, the writing captures the raw side of both the places.
🔥 The narration comes to us from multiple third-person points of view. Florida’s is the most impactful track, as her backstory and her current insecurities come out clearly.
🔥 Another good track is that of Kase, a fellow prisoner who acts as a sort of Greek chorus, providing us with information to fill in the blanks left by Florida’s track. Her voice is muddling and clarifying at the same time.
Bookish Nays:
💢 Though Dios is a key element of the plot, she barely gets any direct role in the narrative. The book would have worked better for me if I had got a direct glimpse of the machinations of her devious mind.
💢 While I did like Detective Lobos’s track as it offered plenty of elements to ponder upon, I didn’t understand why she needed to be given a voice in what was essentially a Florida-Dios story. It took away from the core plot.
💢 This is a woman-oriented plot all the way. And the strong women characters carry the story well enough. As such, there are limited male characters but even then, all of them are portrayed as stereotypical jerks. This becomes monotonous. Even feminist fiction can have a couple of good male characters.
💢 Dios’ obsession with Florida didn’t feel convincing to me. This lack of connect is heightened as we don’t get to hear from Dios. So the entire cat-and-mouse pursuit felt baseless.
💢 Put this one down to personal preferences, but the level of violent and gruesome scenes was way beyond my comfort level. I just hated some of the grisly descriptions.
The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 8 hrs 33 min, is narrated by four narrators: Frankie Corzo, Kimberly M. Wetherell, Sophie Amoss, and Victoria Villarreal. All the narrators are excellent, and do their best to flesh out their characters with emotions. There was just one minor issue. Dios’s dialogues come to us from the third person perspectives of Florida and Kase, and there are a couple of chapters with the first person voice of Dios herself. However, the emotional tone and voice pitch of the narrator in the first person pov were absolutely different from the two narrators voicing Dios in the third person. The former sounded quite delicately feminine while the latter two made her sound rough and tough. This was a jarring difference. Nevertheless, the audiobook is still a good way of trying out this book.
Do note that there are plenty of cuss words in the plot. While these might be justified as acceptable lingo for prisoners, they still make the audiobook a test of your patience as the f-bombs keep exploding in your ear.
All in all, this story made me read from start to end despite my misgivings. However, though I wanted to know what happened to the characters, I wasn’t emotionally invested in any of them, and this disconnect created a hurdle I couldn’t surpass.
That said, I am impressed by the writing prowess of this author, and will keep an eye out for her future works.
Recommended to those who would enjoy chase stories with feisty characters and don’t mind brutal scenes. I don’t think this qualifies as a Western thriller as marketed, despite a street fight and gritty characters. It’s more of literary crime drama.
3.5 stars, rounding up for the audio version.
My thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “Sing Her Down”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
———————————————
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Story Synopsis:
Florence Baum, known to her prison mates as “Florida”, portrays herself as an innocent prisoner caught as an unlucky bystander. However, her ex cellmate, Diosmary Sandoval aka Dios, is convinced that Florida is lying and not at all innocent.
When both women are released much before their sentence is over due to covid restrictions warranting clearance of space in prisons, Dios is determined to show Florida how similar they both are. This turns into an unhealthy obsession, leading to dangerous repercussions.
The story comes to us mostly in the third person perspective of Florida and Detective Lobos, who is investigating a crime connected with the two women.
Bookish Yays:
🔥 Excellent prose! I’m not that fond of literary flourishes in the thriller genre as they feel quite artificial, but still, I can’t deny that the author is brilliant at stringing words together. I would have highlighted quite a few lines had I been reading the physical or digital version.
🔥 The depiction of the pandemic and its impact on the homeless and the marginalised. Most covid-related fiction so far has focussed on those with means, so this was a welcome and exceptional portrayal. Seeing characters afraid of a cough brought back some guilty yet funny memories.
🔥 The characters, with the possible exception of Dios, are carved quite intricately. They come across as realistic despite their unusual circumstances. Though we see them only in third person, there is still enough to help us understand their nature.
🔥 Wonderful use of the locations to create an atmosphere of nail-biting tension. Beginning in Arizona and ending in Los Angeles, the writing captures the raw side of both the places.
🔥 The narration comes to us from multiple third-person points of view. Florida’s is the most impactful track, as her backstory and her current insecurities come out clearly.
🔥 Another good track is that of Kase, a fellow prisoner who acts as a sort of Greek chorus, providing us with information to fill in the blanks left by Florida’s track. Her voice is muddling and clarifying at the same time.
Bookish Nays:
💢 Though Dios is a key element of the plot, she barely gets any direct role in the narrative. The book would have worked better for me if I had got a direct glimpse of the machinations of her devious mind.
💢 While I did like Detective Lobos’s track as it offered plenty of elements to ponder upon, I didn’t understand why she needed to be given a voice in what was essentially a Florida-Dios story. It took away from the core plot.
💢 This is a woman-oriented plot all the way. And the strong women characters carry the story well enough. As such, there are limited male characters but even then, all of them are portrayed as stereotypical jerks. This becomes monotonous. Even feminist fiction can have a couple of good male characters.
💢 Dios’ obsession with Florida didn’t feel convincing to me. This lack of connect is heightened as we don’t get to hear from Dios. So the entire cat-and-mouse pursuit felt baseless.
💢 Put this one down to personal preferences, but the level of violent and gruesome scenes was way beyond my comfort level. I just hated some of the grisly descriptions.
The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 8 hrs 33 min, is narrated by four narrators: Frankie Corzo, Kimberly M. Wetherell, Sophie Amoss, and Victoria Villarreal. All the narrators are excellent, and do their best to flesh out their characters with emotions. There was just one minor issue. Dios’s dialogues come to us from the third person perspectives of Florida and Kase, and there are a couple of chapters with the first person voice of Dios herself. However, the emotional tone and voice pitch of the narrator in the first person pov were absolutely different from the two narrators voicing Dios in the third person. The former sounded quite delicately feminine while the latter two made her sound rough and tough. This was a jarring difference. Nevertheless, the audiobook is still a good way of trying out this book.
Do note that there are plenty of cuss words in the plot. While these might be justified as acceptable lingo for prisoners, they still make the audiobook a test of your patience as the f-bombs keep exploding in your ear.
All in all, this story made me read from start to end despite my misgivings. However, though I wanted to know what happened to the characters, I wasn’t emotionally invested in any of them, and this disconnect created a hurdle I couldn’t surpass.
That said, I am impressed by the writing prowess of this author, and will keep an eye out for her future works.
Recommended to those who would enjoy chase stories with feisty characters and don’t mind brutal scenes. I don’t think this qualifies as a Western thriller as marketed, despite a street fight and gritty characters. It’s more of literary crime drama.
3.5 stars, rounding up for the audio version.
My thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “Sing Her Down”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
May 29, 2023
In this novel, author Ivy Pochoda explores violence in women, and through the lives and actions of her characters, speculates about what made them vicious. Is violence an innate characteristic? Or does it stem from poverty, harassment, molestation, injustice, brutality, and the like.
Warning: There's graphic violence in the novel, which might be disturbing to sensitive readers
*****
The story opens in a women's prison in Arizona, where Florence Baum (Florida), Diana Diosmary Sandoval (Dios), and Kace are housed in the same cell block. Florida is incarcerated for felony accessory to murder; she drove the getaway car from a fire that left two victims burning in the desert.
Dios was convicted of aggravated assault; she defended herself against an attacker and broke his eye socket with her cell phone.
And Kace killed a woman named Marta, who Kace suspected was going with her man.
Florida and Dios are central to the story, and Kace - an apparent schizophrenic that hears voices in her head - functions something like a Greek Chorus, commenting on the unfolding drama.
Florida, who grew up in a wealthy upper class family in Los Angeles, rails about being incarcerated. She says this is not her place, she can't breathe, can't feel, can't sense properly, isn't like the other inmates, etc.
Dios, on the other hand, who's learned something about Florida's past, adamantly disagrees. Dios knows that Florida smuggled diamonds into Europe, secured bad loans for grifters, and was more than an 'accessory after the fact' in the desert murders.
For her part, Dios grew up poor in Queens, New York, where she and her friends stole from bodegas and the Rite Aid. However, Dios' innate smarts earned her a scholarship to a fancy New England college, where she was an outlier among the rich kids.
Later, when Dios returned to her old Queens neighborhood, she didn't fit in there either. Dios' old homies acted like her 'rich New England stink' made them gag.
One evening Dios happened across a young tipsy girl in the park and 'something knocked loose inside her.' Dios battered the girl's face, kicked her in the ribs, and stomped on her skull. After this, Dios became increasingly vicious, with the justification that "once the violence cracks open inside you, you become YOU and there's no turning back.'
Dios thinks Florida is inherently violent just like Dios herself. Moreover, Dios believes Florida's 'poor innocent me' diatribe is just an act, perhaps a subconscious one. Thus Dios is determined to bring out the devil in Florida.
Because of the Covid pandemic the prison has to release some inmates, and Florida and Dios are sprung with conditions. They must quarantine themselves in an Arizona motel for two weeks, then move into a state-run group home.....and they have to stay in touch with a parole officer.
Florida wants to return to Los Angeles to retrieve her beloved Jaguar, which she started driving as an underage teen. To Florida, the car means freedom, and blissfully cruising California highways. Florida does not have permission to leave Arizona, but unanticipated events result in Florida illicitly boarding a bus for California.
Shortly afterwards, to Florida's dismay, Dios boards the same bus. Dios means to goad her former prison-mate until Florida reveals her true murderous self. This becomes a sort of cat and mouse game, with Florida trying to get away and Dios sticking to her like a stinging nettle.
When a crime occurs on the bus carrying Florida and Dios to California, Los Angeles Police Detective Lobos gets the case. Lobos quickly zeroes in on Florida and Dios as the suspects, and she means to track them down.
Flashbacks to the past help round out the characters. We learn that Florida grew up in a classy house with a pool and six-car-garage.
But Florida's mother was indifferent and neglectful, and a certain older man couldn't keep his hands off young Florida. Besides that Florida and her best friend Ronna were wild teens who got involved with the wrong people, drank, used drugs, smoked, and so on.
Detective Lobos also has a secret history. For reasons she herself can't understand, Lobos stayed with an abusive husband, and only managed to leave after he tried to strangle her. This shames Lobos, and she sometimes gets the urge to beat up or kill wandering homeless men.
The climax of the story occurs in Los Angeles, which is a character in and of itself. The Covid pandemic has ravaged the city, where most stores are boarded up, trash blows through the streets, and homeless encampments occupy almost every nook and cranny (outside the ritzy areas).
Pochoda doesn't resolve the issue of why women become violent, leaving it to the readers to form their own opinions.
In my view, violent behavior is probably due to a confluence of circumstances - perhaps resulting from an inborn tendency exacerbated by a troubled life. (But I'm a scientist, not a psychologist or criminologist.)
In any case this novel is a compelling page turner. Highly recommended.
I had access to both digital and audio versions of the novel, which enhanced my reading experience. Thanks to Netgalley, Ivy Pochoda, and Macmillan Audio and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for copies of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
March 8, 2023
four pages in and i'm already so in love with this one. ivy pochoda ALWAYS BRINGS IT.
June 17, 2023
We learn how the story will end in the prologue, from a ranting prison inmate called Kace, a woman who carries voices of dead women within her. She tells us that two women - Florida and Dios – will face off on an empty stretch of road in Los Angeles, with the scene being captured on a mural close by. But how will they get there and what does this mean? We’ll be introduced to each of these women, and others, as they serve their time in an Arizona prison, in the early days of the COVID pandemic.
The prison is a nasty place: noisy and violent, with the sort of atmosphere you’d associate with a testosterone fuelled male lockup. Dios has a particular ‘thing’ for Florida, she likes taunt her, provoke her. We don’t know why this is but when the pair are released early, due to the pandemic, Florida aims to distance herself from her tormentor as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.
Florida eventually finds herself in Los Angeles, a city seemingly empty of people except those living rough in tents and every possible type of temporary accommodation. Skid Row (a place the author attends a studio and teaches creative writing) looms large here, but it also seems that every available space in the city is inhabited by those lacking a bricks and mortar home. Life will be tough here for Florida, but will she be able to survive and, just as importantly, evade Dios? Well, we already know the answer to that; it’s now just a case of seeing how this comes to be and how their showdown plays out.
We get to learn quite a bit about Florida (real name Florence): her upbringing and how and why she eventually went off the rails. But Dios remains an enigma and this feels like a missing piece of the puzzle to me. And in the second part of the book a third significant character is added to the mix: a female detective called Lobos, who is searching for the pair – the result of a crime committed after they were released - has her own story. Lobos is in many ways the most interesting of the three main protagonists, certainly the one I found most compelling.
I’ve enjoyed all of the authors previous books, each feeling fresh and offering up something different to other novels I’ve read. This one does too, but to my mind it’s very much the hardest read. There’s a big theme here concerning violence and it’s various triggers, and in particular how woman react to it but also instigate it. The pandemic, and principally it’s impact on the marginalised and the homeless, is another key element. But does it all add up to a compelling story? In truth, I’m not entirely convinced. Though my interest in the fate of Florida and Lobos was maintained throughout, I continually struggled to comprehend why Dios acted in the way she did. So I’m stuck somewhere between three and four stars – three for the story, four for the writing. So three and a half stars rounded up to four it is.
My thanks to Ferrari, Straus and Giroux for supplying an early copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
The prison is a nasty place: noisy and violent, with the sort of atmosphere you’d associate with a testosterone fuelled male lockup. Dios has a particular ‘thing’ for Florida, she likes taunt her, provoke her. We don’t know why this is but when the pair are released early, due to the pandemic, Florida aims to distance herself from her tormentor as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.
Florida eventually finds herself in Los Angeles, a city seemingly empty of people except those living rough in tents and every possible type of temporary accommodation. Skid Row (a place the author attends a studio and teaches creative writing) looms large here, but it also seems that every available space in the city is inhabited by those lacking a bricks and mortar home. Life will be tough here for Florida, but will she be able to survive and, just as importantly, evade Dios? Well, we already know the answer to that; it’s now just a case of seeing how this comes to be and how their showdown plays out.
We get to learn quite a bit about Florida (real name Florence): her upbringing and how and why she eventually went off the rails. But Dios remains an enigma and this feels like a missing piece of the puzzle to me. And in the second part of the book a third significant character is added to the mix: a female detective called Lobos, who is searching for the pair – the result of a crime committed after they were released - has her own story. Lobos is in many ways the most interesting of the three main protagonists, certainly the one I found most compelling.
I’ve enjoyed all of the authors previous books, each feeling fresh and offering up something different to other novels I’ve read. This one does too, but to my mind it’s very much the hardest read. There’s a big theme here concerning violence and it’s various triggers, and in particular how woman react to it but also instigate it. The pandemic, and principally it’s impact on the marginalised and the homeless, is another key element. But does it all add up to a compelling story? In truth, I’m not entirely convinced. Though my interest in the fate of Florida and Lobos was maintained throughout, I continually struggled to comprehend why Dios acted in the way she did. So I’m stuck somewhere between three and four stars – three for the story, four for the writing. So three and a half stars rounded up to four it is.
My thanks to Ferrari, Straus and Giroux for supplying an early copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
June 6, 2023
"We all have our own scars but they dont tell the future, they only remind us of the past."
"How dark is the darkness in you?"
Opens in a prison for women. Strong foreshadowing show us glimpses of what is to come. Is violence only done by males. This book calls out that assumption as this is pretty darn violent. Good yes, but violent. Two women are on a crash course to tragedy. We follow them as they are released from prison due to Covid and the danger of overcrowding spreading the virus. Dios is out to prove that Florida is as violent and dangerous as all the other violent imprisoned women. Their showdown, think shootout at the OK corral, will be long remembered.
This authors first book was the one that hooked me on her style of writing. Ive read all she writes ever since. While this was violent it was an important subject and one that is hard to forget. The violence is our society is scary and to assume that this violence is only contained in the male, is to fool oneself and could prove dangerous.
"How dark is the darkness in you?"
Opens in a prison for women. Strong foreshadowing show us glimpses of what is to come. Is violence only done by males. This book calls out that assumption as this is pretty darn violent. Good yes, but violent. Two women are on a crash course to tragedy. We follow them as they are released from prison due to Covid and the danger of overcrowding spreading the virus. Dios is out to prove that Florida is as violent and dangerous as all the other violent imprisoned women. Their showdown, think shootout at the OK corral, will be long remembered.
This authors first book was the one that hooked me on her style of writing. Ive read all she writes ever since. While this was violent it was an important subject and one that is hard to forget. The violence is our society is scary and to assume that this violence is only contained in the male, is to fool oneself and could prove dangerous.
June 29, 2024
Wow, this was disappointing. Pochada is a hot property in the noir world right now, having won some big prizes and scribed some best -sellers. But this just wasn't for me at all.
Gritty is fine. Edgy is fine. But some connection to the real world must be maintained. I finally threw in the towel when those blameless white windmills that line California's highways were slicing into the soft pulpy flesh of the moon. It was a relief to place this in an empty seat in the airport and turn and walk away.
DNF at 40%
Gritty is fine. Edgy is fine. But some connection to the real world must be maintained. I finally threw in the towel when those blameless white windmills that line California's highways were slicing into the soft pulpy flesh of the moon. It was a relief to place this in an empty seat in the airport and turn and walk away.
DNF at 40%
April 16, 2023
Sing Her Down
By Ivy Pochoda
I thought this was going to be a western about bad women in the 1800s! Boy was I wrong! Reading about women in prison is not my favorite thing to do but they are not in there long because they get out early. The focus is mostly on two women. The story is told by several women's POV.
Florida and Dios are the two women that leave early from prison. Dios hounds Florida and tries to get her to be violent. Dios is convinced that Florida needs to get her violence out to be herself. I think Dios just wanted Florida to be as vicious as herself.
The story is mostly about the misadventures of the two. There is also a woman cop that comes into play and the violence around her life, and working on the case of these two women, seems to hit her hard.
I think the book was a bit confusing in places. It was a dark book and I felt I needed to wash my brain in cold water after reading it. So much dark manipulation from Dios. Florida had been doing ugly secret acts of violence. Dios seemed beyond redemption or rehabilitation.
This is not the kind of book I would normally read but I am glad I read it. It was dark and violent but thought provoking too. It showed many ways women ways turn to violence. It also showed ways to avoid violence.
I give this book a 3 1/2 stars rounding to 4.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book!
By Ivy Pochoda
I thought this was going to be a western about bad women in the 1800s! Boy was I wrong! Reading about women in prison is not my favorite thing to do but they are not in there long because they get out early. The focus is mostly on two women. The story is told by several women's POV.
Florida and Dios are the two women that leave early from prison. Dios hounds Florida and tries to get her to be violent. Dios is convinced that Florida needs to get her violence out to be herself. I think Dios just wanted Florida to be as vicious as herself.
The story is mostly about the misadventures of the two. There is also a woman cop that comes into play and the violence around her life, and working on the case of these two women, seems to hit her hard.
I think the book was a bit confusing in places. It was a dark book and I felt I needed to wash my brain in cold water after reading it. So much dark manipulation from Dios. Florida had been doing ugly secret acts of violence. Dios seemed beyond redemption or rehabilitation.
This is not the kind of book I would normally read but I am glad I read it. It was dark and violent but thought provoking too. It showed many ways women ways turn to violence. It also showed ways to avoid violence.
I give this book a 3 1/2 stars rounding to 4.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book!
August 26, 2023
"Let me tell you- inside we all rage the same. It's how we let it out that differs."
Visceral and haunting, Sing Her Down is a book I did not want to read but couldn't put down. It is, on the surface, a story of four women (Florida, Dios, Kace, and Lobos). Florida and Dios are released early from prison due to the pandemic. Lobos is the police officer looking for them following a gruesome murder they appear connected to. Dios and Florida are not friends but Dios is obsessed with Florida. stalking her, goading her. Lobos is fighting demons of her own. Kace, still in jail, harbors voices of the dead who are eerily prophetic. As the tension built, I found myself holding my breath. In Pochoda's expert hands nothing was insignificant, no words wasted. And that mural; that mural was brilliant!
Sing Her Down might be best described as a psychological case study exploring whether women broken by abuse and violence at some point reach a tipping point, releasing their pent up rage, changing them from victim to abuser. It is a fascinating addition to women's literature.
I received a drc from the publisher via Netgalley. Publication slated for 5/23/23.
Visceral and haunting, Sing Her Down is a book I did not want to read but couldn't put down. It is, on the surface, a story of four women (Florida, Dios, Kace, and Lobos). Florida and Dios are released early from prison due to the pandemic. Lobos is the police officer looking for them following a gruesome murder they appear connected to. Dios and Florida are not friends but Dios is obsessed with Florida. stalking her, goading her. Lobos is fighting demons of her own. Kace, still in jail, harbors voices of the dead who are eerily prophetic. As the tension built, I found myself holding my breath. In Pochoda's expert hands nothing was insignificant, no words wasted. And that mural; that mural was brilliant!
Sing Her Down might be best described as a psychological case study exploring whether women broken by abuse and violence at some point reach a tipping point, releasing their pent up rage, changing them from victim to abuser. It is a fascinating addition to women's literature.
I received a drc from the publisher via Netgalley. Publication slated for 5/23/23.
October 25, 2023
I snatched an early copy of this as soon as I saw it, but never wrote a review because I don’t like when I don’t like my favorite authors. So before I write the absolute very least about this book, let me tell you that I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Ivy Pochoda. Visitation Street, Wonder Valley and These Women are all books that blew me away. I love how multifaceted Pochoda’s characters are and especially love that the location is so well-developed that it too becomes a character in her stories.
The fact that those things were missing from me here was probably why I failed to connect to Sing Her Down. After publication I saw that this was compared to No Country for Old Men to which I say . . .
I mean, I guess I can see it as a bare bones comparison, but again the depth was really lacking for me. This game of chase takes place during Covid (Covid being the catalyst behind Florida and Dios being sprung from the pokey) and most likely it was another anticipated release that fell short due to it being written in that period of the unknown. It seems like having all the time in the world to write would have had these brilliant minds creating the best of the best, but we (or at least I) tend to forget authors were experiencing all the same day-to-day stresses (my kingdom back then for some toilet paper) as the rest of us normies so their work product may have suffered the consequences.
I still will 100% be first in line again for whatever Ivy Pochoda comes up with next.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The fact that those things were missing from me here was probably why I failed to connect to Sing Her Down. After publication I saw that this was compared to No Country for Old Men to which I say . . .
I mean, I guess I can see it as a bare bones comparison, but again the depth was really lacking for me. This game of chase takes place during Covid (Covid being the catalyst behind Florida and Dios being sprung from the pokey) and most likely it was another anticipated release that fell short due to it being written in that period of the unknown. It seems like having all the time in the world to write would have had these brilliant minds creating the best of the best, but we (or at least I) tend to forget authors were experiencing all the same day-to-day stresses (my kingdom back then for some toilet paper) as the rest of us normies so their work product may have suffered the consequences.
I still will 100% be first in line again for whatever Ivy Pochoda comes up with next.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2023
I REALLY wanted to love this book.
The description reads: "No Country for Old Men meets Killing Eve in this gritty, feminist Western thriller from the award-winning author of These Women."
"No Country for Old Men" is a absolute gritty and dark masterpiece. And my love for female assassins has no bounds which will explain my love for "Killing Eve" I hit request so hard my dog woke up and asked for another treat.
We have two women in prison: Florence "Florida" Baum and Diosmary "Dios" Sandoval. The first part of this book is the best, IMO, and it's a decent portrayal of prison life. I guess, of course, since I still haven't spent any time in the pen. They get paroled early and that's where this book starts to 'theoretically" take off. Florida takes off and for whatever reason, Dios is obsessed with her and follows her and forces a showdown which is foreshadowed in the very beginning.
At it's core this is a great book. In fact it may be fantastic. But I didn't like several things. Specifically the personalities of everyone involved. To me, a sign of a great writer is to portray several personalities with their own life and character. This one is not the case as you can cut and paste every character in the book. They are all the same character. And second: It tries to be a police procedural which to me falls short. Maybe I read too many of them but the main detective on the case just wasn't believably written.
Overall, I think the book is average and I recommend it. There are plenty who, when reading the synopsis, should take a chance and get some satisfaction from it. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm in that group.
I really appreciate Farrar, Straus and Giroux, MCD for giving me the opportunity to read a advance reader copy for free in exchange for a honest review and it has a publication date of May 23, 2023.
The description reads: "No Country for Old Men meets Killing Eve in this gritty, feminist Western thriller from the award-winning author of These Women."
"No Country for Old Men" is a absolute gritty and dark masterpiece. And my love for female assassins has no bounds which will explain my love for "Killing Eve" I hit request so hard my dog woke up and asked for another treat.
We have two women in prison: Florence "Florida" Baum and Diosmary "Dios" Sandoval. The first part of this book is the best, IMO, and it's a decent portrayal of prison life. I guess, of course, since I still haven't spent any time in the pen. They get paroled early and that's where this book starts to 'theoretically" take off. Florida takes off and for whatever reason, Dios is obsessed with her and follows her and forces a showdown which is foreshadowed in the very beginning.
At it's core this is a great book. In fact it may be fantastic. But I didn't like several things. Specifically the personalities of everyone involved. To me, a sign of a great writer is to portray several personalities with their own life and character. This one is not the case as you can cut and paste every character in the book. They are all the same character. And second: It tries to be a police procedural which to me falls short. Maybe I read too many of them but the main detective on the case just wasn't believably written.
Overall, I think the book is average and I recommend it. There are plenty who, when reading the synopsis, should take a chance and get some satisfaction from it. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm in that group.
I really appreciate Farrar, Straus and Giroux, MCD for giving me the opportunity to read a advance reader copy for free in exchange for a honest review and it has a publication date of May 23, 2023.
November 28, 2023
Ivy Pochoda's Sing Her Down is a riveting departure from conventional crime fiction by shifting the focus from a glamorized killer to those most directly impacted by violence. She takes readers on a gripping journey into the lives of two women recently released from prison, thrust into Los Angeles locked down by the pandemic.
In exploring themes like female rage, systemic injustices in the penal system, and class and race. Pochoda challenges traditional notions of women in crime fiction by overturning tropes. She introduces Florida, a well-to-do inmate from L.A., and Dios, a scholarship student from Queens. The character of Detective Lobos, grappling with her history of domestic violence while questioning the nature of women's violence, adds a complex layer to the narrative.
The tension rises as the story hurtles toward its heart-stopping showdown. The thrilling and surprising climax blurs the lines between crime and punishment, creating a gripping and profoundly moving pay-off that will linger long after that final page.
I received a digit and an audio copy from the publisher and enjoyed both formats. I enjoyed the multiple narrators, who all added excitement to the story.
In exploring themes like female rage, systemic injustices in the penal system, and class and race. Pochoda challenges traditional notions of women in crime fiction by overturning tropes. She introduces Florida, a well-to-do inmate from L.A., and Dios, a scholarship student from Queens. The character of Detective Lobos, grappling with her history of domestic violence while questioning the nature of women's violence, adds a complex layer to the narrative.
The tension rises as the story hurtles toward its heart-stopping showdown. The thrilling and surprising climax blurs the lines between crime and punishment, creating a gripping and profoundly moving pay-off that will linger long after that final page.
I received a digit and an audio copy from the publisher and enjoyed both formats. I enjoyed the multiple narrators, who all added excitement to the story.
June 28, 2023
3.5 stars
Sing Her Down is one of those books in which it's probable each reader will take away something different. For that reason, it would make a good book club pick provided your group enjoys a more in-depth analysis rather than surface level discussions. I'll be honest, this book is likely more substantive than I even realize. A thought-provoking read is an apt description.
Rather than go too much into the plot I'll just mention the US prison system and violence in women are two areas of focus. It took me about 50 pages or so before I was able to settle down into a nice reading groove and better grasp what the author was trying to convey with the characters. I appreciate the fact this book forces you to look at some of society's issues that often are swept under the rug.
Thank you MCD for sending me a copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
Sing Her Down is one of those books in which it's probable each reader will take away something different. For that reason, it would make a good book club pick provided your group enjoys a more in-depth analysis rather than surface level discussions. I'll be honest, this book is likely more substantive than I even realize. A thought-provoking read is an apt description.
Rather than go too much into the plot I'll just mention the US prison system and violence in women are two areas of focus. It took me about 50 pages or so before I was able to settle down into a nice reading groove and better grasp what the author was trying to convey with the characters. I appreciate the fact this book forces you to look at some of society's issues that often are swept under the rug.
Thank you MCD for sending me a copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
May 29, 2023
Kace will open this story by telling us how it ends. Sort of. The Arizona prison where Kace is confined releases Dios and Florida to ease inmate density during the pandemic. Florida makes her way to Los Angeles with Dios in pursuit. Kace’s friend tells her there is a mural painted behind a gas station on Olympic and Western. It’s living, her friend says, a paint job that moves. Why not, Kace thinks. She hears voices of the dead, a library of them, so why can’t a mural be alive? The mural shows Dios’s snake eyes fixed on Florida, the wind lifting a stray hair. Florida is striding toward Dios, something in hand, state-issued boots hitting asphalt. “Now, I don’t know what-all happened between here and there,” Kace says. “I only know what I’ve been told.”
This opening demonstrates Pochoda’s talent. It will grab readers by the throat and hold them to the end as they hear from each woman, disturbed in her own way. The story will dig at our preconceptions that women are gifted with a special nature. One that is passive, nurturing, maternal, not prone to violent aggression. That dark impulse is reserved for men, those responsible for ninety percent of murders worldwide. A woman might be a victim lashing out or have a mental illness, but she never, ever kills for the visceral satisfaction of taking a life. Dios disagrees.
“They’ll be telling our story for generations,” Dios will say when the end is near. “Yours, mine, and Florida’s. A tale of violent women. A song for the ages with a surprise ending.”
Much appreciation to Farrar, Straus & Giroux and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
This opening demonstrates Pochoda’s talent. It will grab readers by the throat and hold them to the end as they hear from each woman, disturbed in her own way. The story will dig at our preconceptions that women are gifted with a special nature. One that is passive, nurturing, maternal, not prone to violent aggression. That dark impulse is reserved for men, those responsible for ninety percent of murders worldwide. A woman might be a victim lashing out or have a mental illness, but she never, ever kills for the visceral satisfaction of taking a life. Dios disagrees.
“They’ll be telling our story for generations,” Dios will say when the end is near. “Yours, mine, and Florida’s. A tale of violent women. A song for the ages with a surprise ending.”
Much appreciation to Farrar, Straus & Giroux and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
November 6, 2023
Prose is impeccable. Thoughtful. Truth like a gut punch.
August 31, 2023
Beautiful, affecting, and completely impossible to put down – Ivy Pochoda’s latest novel, Sing Her Down, will cement her reputation as one of the most reliably excellent authors working today.
It starts with Kace, resident of a women’s prison in Arizona, as she introduces you to the women the novel will follow – fellow prisoners Florida and Dios, all three facing the early days of the Covid-19 outbreak. Only two will find themselves unexpectedly released – but Dios and Florida have a history, a tension between them that will follow them as they explore their newfound freedom. It’s that connection that forms the heart of Sing Her Down, punctuated along the way with Kace’s conversations with the dead.
This is one of those books that’s all about the journey – you’re told the destination right from the start, but it didn’t lessen the impact of that ending for me in the slightest. As much as it affected me though, I wasn’t in a hurry to reach it; I was enjoying the process of reaching it far too much. Ivy Pochoda balances viewpoints effortlessly, and has again created characters that are realistically flawed and yet easy to root for. Even those who remain unlikeable are compelling – people you want to hear about, even as you get the feeling that you’re watching the human equivalent of a car crash in slow motion.
This was fantastic, and it deserves to be recognized as one of the standout books of 2023. Ivy Pochoda can continue to write just about anything, and I’ll continue to wait eagerly to read whatever she gives us next.
It starts with Kace, resident of a women’s prison in Arizona, as she introduces you to the women the novel will follow – fellow prisoners Florida and Dios, all three facing the early days of the Covid-19 outbreak. Only two will find themselves unexpectedly released – but Dios and Florida have a history, a tension between them that will follow them as they explore their newfound freedom. It’s that connection that forms the heart of Sing Her Down, punctuated along the way with Kace’s conversations with the dead.
This is one of those books that’s all about the journey – you’re told the destination right from the start, but it didn’t lessen the impact of that ending for me in the slightest. As much as it affected me though, I wasn’t in a hurry to reach it; I was enjoying the process of reaching it far too much. Ivy Pochoda balances viewpoints effortlessly, and has again created characters that are realistically flawed and yet easy to root for. Even those who remain unlikeable are compelling – people you want to hear about, even as you get the feeling that you’re watching the human equivalent of a car crash in slow motion.
This was fantastic, and it deserves to be recognized as one of the standout books of 2023. Ivy Pochoda can continue to write just about anything, and I’ll continue to wait eagerly to read whatever she gives us next.
May 28, 2023
Such a pleasure when a book turns out to deliver so much more than expected. The story of an LA showdown between Florida (Florence) and Dios, who meet as inmates in an Arizona prison, is in fact a meeting between Florida and the Florence side of her. As Florence, a child of privilege, she had always felt the need for speed. Underage, undersupervised, and unlicensed, she would accelerate the highways circling Los Angeles in her classic 1968 XKE, relishing the adrenaline rush when breaking limits, legal and speed. Truth be told, there was always a lot of Florida in Florence. On the side of the law is Lobos, an LA detective who has personal reasons for her methods.
Presented from many points of view, the story unspools like a cautionary fable with enough grit and sauce to keep a reader on edge, with some lovely language descriptions of some pretty horrific scenes. The timing, at the height of the pandemic lockdown, provides an indelible element, and since Ivy Pochoda lives in downtown LA and teaches at Studio 526 Skid Row, she knows whereof she speaks.
Presented from many points of view, the story unspools like a cautionary fable with enough grit and sauce to keep a reader on edge, with some lovely language descriptions of some pretty horrific scenes. The timing, at the height of the pandemic lockdown, provides an indelible element, and since Ivy Pochoda lives in downtown LA and teaches at Studio 526 Skid Row, she knows whereof she speaks.
September 1, 2023
To be clear, this isn’t my typical pick. It’s billed as a “gritty, feminist Western thriller” (thrillers are a genre I never read). I do enjoy westerns, enjoy feminist lit, and the setting is Arizona, not far from where I used to live. Plus, the book jacket copy urged me to give it a try. The literary, smart writing drew me right in.
Since I’m not a thriller reader, I can’t say that’s what this truly is? Is it even a western (they are typically set during the 1800s)? The story is very introspective with lots of soul-searching and, honestly, over the first six chapters, there isn’t a heck of a lot going on. As a literary reader, I’m cool with that.
I’m cool with the intelligence of this novel, and to some degree, the characters' violence portrayed as allegory for female rage. At first. By chapter seven, the reader gets a little break from that female vengeance, and feels like she’s getting to the essence of the story, the characters. But shortly thereafter, we’re right back to rage and violence – so much of it, I felt that I was the one being bludgeoned over the head by the theme. Every female character angry, wanting to kick, kill, hurt others. Florida’s backstory unraveled too slowly and too late in the novel for me to truly form emotional empathy for her.
That said, there is much to admire about this book. The writing is impressive, and even the choice to set this book during the pandemic – when inmates are being released back into a very altered, shut-down society, after years of not being in society – was brilliant. It was a whip-smart move, also, to tell parts of the story through a character (I loved Kace, probably the most). Also smart: a female cop character named Lobos (wolf) with a believable backstory that brought an urgency to her character (despite an insane overuse of TicTac chewing).
While, overall, I enjoyed the writing, the author would break into a series of implied sentences, while in a character’s voice (either in third or first person). “See the tree. See it bend and sway, always out of reach. Now hear it. Because look at her. Look at her struggling to eat. Look at her lifting her fork gingerly like the very air around her is barbed.”
And then descriptions of the surroundings often took on a list-like cadence: "Here’s a tent. Here’s a brush fire… Here’s a man sitting on the guardrail… Here’s a shrine. Here’s a tent in the breakdown lane.” It was a little jarring for me because the author would jump from present and future tense in the same paragraph – all of it probably too experimental for my tastes.
The novel tackles a number of societal issues: gentrification, sexism, misogyny, domestic violence, rape, and captures the fear of COVID quite well. While I probably wasn't the ideal reader for this one, I would give future books a shot, because this author can write.
My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for the e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Since I’m not a thriller reader, I can’t say that’s what this truly is? Is it even a western (they are typically set during the 1800s)? The story is very introspective with lots of soul-searching and, honestly, over the first six chapters, there isn’t a heck of a lot going on. As a literary reader, I’m cool with that.
I’m cool with the intelligence of this novel, and to some degree, the characters' violence portrayed as allegory for female rage. At first. By chapter seven, the reader gets a little break from that female vengeance, and feels like she’s getting to the essence of the story, the characters. But shortly thereafter, we’re right back to rage and violence – so much of it, I felt that I was the one being bludgeoned over the head by the theme. Every female character angry, wanting to kick, kill, hurt others. Florida’s backstory unraveled too slowly and too late in the novel for me to truly form emotional empathy for her.
That said, there is much to admire about this book. The writing is impressive, and even the choice to set this book during the pandemic – when inmates are being released back into a very altered, shut-down society, after years of not being in society – was brilliant. It was a whip-smart move, also, to tell parts of the story through a character (I loved Kace, probably the most). Also smart: a female cop character named Lobos (wolf) with a believable backstory that brought an urgency to her character (despite an insane overuse of TicTac chewing).
While, overall, I enjoyed the writing, the author would break into a series of implied sentences, while in a character’s voice (either in third or first person). “See the tree. See it bend and sway, always out of reach. Now hear it. Because look at her. Look at her struggling to eat. Look at her lifting her fork gingerly like the very air around her is barbed.”
And then descriptions of the surroundings often took on a list-like cadence: "Here’s a tent. Here’s a brush fire… Here’s a man sitting on the guardrail… Here’s a shrine. Here’s a tent in the breakdown lane.” It was a little jarring for me because the author would jump from present and future tense in the same paragraph – all of it probably too experimental for my tastes.
The novel tackles a number of societal issues: gentrification, sexism, misogyny, domestic violence, rape, and captures the fear of COVID quite well. While I probably wasn't the ideal reader for this one, I would give future books a shot, because this author can write.
My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for the e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2023
I just love Ivy Pochoda. Her writing style is so engrossing. Gripping Novel! I was so pulled into this book right away. It is violent for sure, but made me really think.
It is about two prisoners Dios, a cunning, devious, sadistic woman and Florida, who appears to be more of an innocent bystander, yet Dios sets out to prove Florida has a much darker side. Both are let out on earlier release during the pandemic. Dios stalks Florida to LA. You know a show down in coming with these two. Detective Lobos is looking to find these two, yet she has her own story that is wrestling with her conscience. The setting is gritty and perfectly set.
Beyond the physical violence, it really is a psychological mind experience for me. It explores the idea of women being innately sinister and not just going down a bad path due to bad men. Yet, another idea that All Women have rage, it’s how we handle it that matters.
Thank you NetGalley, Farrah, Straus and Giroux and Ivy Pochoda for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews of books I read.
It is about two prisoners Dios, a cunning, devious, sadistic woman and Florida, who appears to be more of an innocent bystander, yet Dios sets out to prove Florida has a much darker side. Both are let out on earlier release during the pandemic. Dios stalks Florida to LA. You know a show down in coming with these two. Detective Lobos is looking to find these two, yet she has her own story that is wrestling with her conscience. The setting is gritty and perfectly set.
Beyond the physical violence, it really is a psychological mind experience for me. It explores the idea of women being innately sinister and not just going down a bad path due to bad men. Yet, another idea that All Women have rage, it’s how we handle it that matters.
Thank you NetGalley, Farrah, Straus and Giroux and Ivy Pochoda for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews of books I read.
October 2, 2023
"Let me tell you- inside we all rage the same. It’s how we let it out that differs.”
Definitely a case of this one just isn't for me. The story felt disjointed. I never understood why we were given glimpses into each woman's mind. I don't think violence is a surprise. Are we surprised women can be violent too? The world is an ugly place and too many get lost in the shadows and slip between the cracks. This book seemed to take that point and constantly shove it in your face. I was surprised by the depth of darkness but I soon found Dios and Florida's voices hard to distinguish.
I think this might have worked for me as an audio book. It sounds like the audiobook has a full cast and I think that would probably be amazing.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Definitely a case of this one just isn't for me. The story felt disjointed. I never understood why we were given glimpses into each woman's mind. I don't think violence is a surprise. Are we surprised women can be violent too? The world is an ugly place and too many get lost in the shadows and slip between the cracks. This book seemed to take that point and constantly shove it in your face. I was surprised by the depth of darkness but I soon found Dios and Florida's voices hard to distinguish.
I think this might have worked for me as an audio book. It sounds like the audiobook has a full cast and I think that would probably be amazing.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
May 1, 2023
This is ‘a tale of violent women. A song for the ages with a surprise ending.’ Florence ‘Florida’ Baum and Diana Diosmary ‘Dios’ Sandoval are serving time in an Arizona prison for violent crimes. When Covid worsens in 2020 and starts killing prisoners, Baum and Sandoval are among those who fit the system's criteria for early release. They will be held in quarantine in a motel for two weeks and fed three meals a day. But when the food doesn’t come, the two each women leave the motel and both end up on a bus heading to California, violating their parole. But no matter where they travel, they are still the same people inside and carry their violent tendencies with them. Dios seems obsessed with Florida and follows her, egging her on. When the dead body of a young corrections officer is found on the bus, LA Detective Lobos and her partner are on the case.
This is an interesting study of violence within women. Florence is a pretty and wealthy young woman who had everything in life except attentive parents. At the age of nine, she became flirting with danger and came alive to the thrill of destructive behavior. Dios is beautiful and smart, a scholarship student who received a good education, but a rage has grown within her that is only too happy to burst free. Detective Lobos is trying to leave behind an abusive husband and marriage to start over. A small woman, she fears appearing weak to her partner. Will she be strong and smart enough to bring these two escapees in? Sooner or later, there will be a final showdown…and who will walk away?
Los Angeles during Covid is an interesting backdrop for this story, with so many businesses closed and homeless people living in tents and camps throughout the city. Discarded masks blow along the streets like tumbleweed. It gives the story a surreal feeling, almost apocalyptic.
Pochoda's writing style is excellent, even lyrical at times. This is not a gentle story so be aware that it is often violent and gritty. The comparison with No Country for Old Men is quite apt.
I received an arc of this novel from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks to them for the opportunity. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
This is an interesting study of violence within women. Florence is a pretty and wealthy young woman who had everything in life except attentive parents. At the age of nine, she became flirting with danger and came alive to the thrill of destructive behavior. Dios is beautiful and smart, a scholarship student who received a good education, but a rage has grown within her that is only too happy to burst free. Detective Lobos is trying to leave behind an abusive husband and marriage to start over. A small woman, she fears appearing weak to her partner. Will she be strong and smart enough to bring these two escapees in? Sooner or later, there will be a final showdown…and who will walk away?
Los Angeles during Covid is an interesting backdrop for this story, with so many businesses closed and homeless people living in tents and camps throughout the city. Discarded masks blow along the streets like tumbleweed. It gives the story a surreal feeling, almost apocalyptic.
Pochoda's writing style is excellent, even lyrical at times. This is not a gentle story so be aware that it is often violent and gritty. The comparison with No Country for Old Men is quite apt.
I received an arc of this novel from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks to them for the opportunity. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
April 18, 2023
florida is getting out of prison in the middle of the covid-19 pandemic. dios wants to ruin her life, for she knows that florida is a killer just like she is. the two women end up on the run, and detective lobos tries to catch them.
the blurb about this novel was misleading. i expected a grand adventure between dios and florida — two women trying to survive in a world riddled by pandemic and prejudice. that’s not at all what this novel is about. it mostly focuses on detective lobos in part ii and her dedication to track down the two women. dios really doesn’t have a large part in this novel, which was horribly disappointing as she was the most interesting character. the description is so misleading. is it a good book? sure, it’s fine. the writing is fun and full of colorful colloquialisms. the ending, however, thematically makes little sense.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
the blurb about this novel was misleading. i expected a grand adventure between dios and florida — two women trying to survive in a world riddled by pandemic and prejudice. that’s not at all what this novel is about. it mostly focuses on detective lobos in part ii and her dedication to track down the two women. dios really doesn’t have a large part in this novel, which was horribly disappointing as she was the most interesting character. the description is so misleading. is it a good book? sure, it’s fine. the writing is fun and full of colorful colloquialisms. the ending, however, thematically makes little sense.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
November 30, 2023
Story of two women, Florida Baum and Diosmary Sandoval, who start out as rival inmates at an Arizona penitentiary in 2020. Florida is released early due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unbeknownst to her, Diosmary is also released. When Florida decides to jump parole and travel to Los Angeles, Diosmary follows her, and their rivalry continues outside of the prison environment. The storyline shifts back and forth between these two women and their pursuer, Detective Lobos of the LAPD, a woman whose personal life is afflicted with domestic violence. I was put off by the message of this book, which seems to be that women can be just as dysfunctional and violent as men. It contains quite a few disturbing scenes of assault and battery. It seemed to me a litany of nastiness with a disappointing ending. I always look for at least a tiny bit of positivity or hope in a dark story, but this is relentlessly bleak.
January 24, 2023
Wow, that was intense. Full review to come.
May 23, 2023
Florence "Florida" Baum is released from prison and tries to return to her old life. But fellow inmate, Dios knows that Florida is running from a truth that she refuses to acknowledge. She believes that Florida is not the victim, but the true perpetrator that led to the death of two men. Whether Florida wants to or not, Dios will make her confront this truth.
Set during the pandemic on the mean streets of L. A., Pachoda gives us an honest, brutal look at a city that has failed its people. She also shows that women, like men, can carry a darkness within themselves.
Set during the pandemic on the mean streets of L. A., Pachoda gives us an honest, brutal look at a city that has failed its people. She also shows that women, like men, can carry a darkness within themselves.
May 7, 2023
3.5 stars? I feel like this was a little above my head. A lot of it is abstract and metaphorical- which is fine! I just found myself struggling to grasp the meaning I think.
The writing is stunning. I highlighted whole paragraphs at times. This story follows two primary characters, Florida and Lobos, their different backgrounds and their approaches to violence.
Except the character I wanted to follow most was Dios. She was fascinating and every time she showed up I found myself wondering where she’d been.
I think it has a lot to say on the cyclical nature of violence and also the expectations society has of women.
What held it back from being a full four star read is just the abstractness of it all. At one point while a murder is being committed the main character is musing on violence as though it is the pull tide of the ocean. We never really see the violence committed, just the aftermath of the murder being discovered.
So there was a little confusion in places for me and I sometimes found it difficult to connect/envision the story being told, because of the abstractness.
I appreciate that this story exists and that people are enjoying it. I think it would make a great book club book.
I also know this is a story I will be thinking about for many months yet to come, and am likely to feel fonder of in retrospect, as is often the case with me an literary stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy.
The writing is stunning. I highlighted whole paragraphs at times. This story follows two primary characters, Florida and Lobos, their different backgrounds and their approaches to violence.
Except the character I wanted to follow most was Dios. She was fascinating and every time she showed up I found myself wondering where she’d been.
I think it has a lot to say on the cyclical nature of violence and also the expectations society has of women.
What held it back from being a full four star read is just the abstractness of it all. At one point while a murder is being committed the main character is musing on violence as though it is the pull tide of the ocean. We never really see the violence committed, just the aftermath of the murder being discovered.
So there was a little confusion in places for me and I sometimes found it difficult to connect/envision the story being told, because of the abstractness.
I appreciate that this story exists and that people are enjoying it. I think it would make a great book club book.
I also know this is a story I will be thinking about for many months yet to come, and am likely to feel fonder of in retrospect, as is often the case with me an literary stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy.
May 29, 2023
I would like to thank NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Look for it now in your local and online bookstores and libraries.
⭐️⭐️
Florence “Florida” Baum and Diosmary Sandoval are in a women’s prison in Arizona after being convicted of separate violent crimes. They are former cellmates, but their relationship has become increasingly volatile. When, due to the pandemic, they are both released early, Florida wants to move beyond her past, and live her life, but Dios becomes obsessed with Florida and wants her to realize her “true” self. At first, Florida tries to run from Dios, but when she realizes she can’t, the stage is set for a showdown between the two women.
I didn’t like this book. There. That’s blunt. It is described as a gritty, feminist Western thriller. Okay, I’m not a fan of Westerns, but it’s set basically in present day (2020) and not the dusty Old West. It’s also called gritty, feminist, and a thriller. Those things are right up my alley, so why didn’t I like this book? The characters are unlikeable, but that’s not a deal breaker for me. Unfortunately, I just never felt invested in the story, and I didn’t care what happened to the characters. While I thought it was very well-written, it was not the book for me.
⭐️⭐️
Florence “Florida” Baum and Diosmary Sandoval are in a women’s prison in Arizona after being convicted of separate violent crimes. They are former cellmates, but their relationship has become increasingly volatile. When, due to the pandemic, they are both released early, Florida wants to move beyond her past, and live her life, but Dios becomes obsessed with Florida and wants her to realize her “true” self. At first, Florida tries to run from Dios, but when she realizes she can’t, the stage is set for a showdown between the two women.
I didn’t like this book. There. That’s blunt. It is described as a gritty, feminist Western thriller. Okay, I’m not a fan of Westerns, but it’s set basically in present day (2020) and not the dusty Old West. It’s also called gritty, feminist, and a thriller. Those things are right up my alley, so why didn’t I like this book? The characters are unlikeable, but that’s not a deal breaker for me. Unfortunately, I just never felt invested in the story, and I didn’t care what happened to the characters. While I thought it was very well-written, it was not the book for me.
June 3, 2023
Disjointed, ramblings of three women who are in prison- two later get out and a female police detective. Excessive cussing, not even really a plot to the book. Most of the writing is extremely hard to follow, does not flow at all, difficult to tell what exactly the author was trying to convey other than craziness. Not for me at all.
Thanks to Netgalley my my advanced electronic reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thanks to Netgalley my my advanced electronic reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 29, 2023
What was the point?
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