“Inspired by the unsolved murders of the Chillicothe Six, this is the story of two sisters, both of whom could be the next victims.

Arcade and Daffodil are twin sisters born one minute apart. With their fiery red hair and thirst for an escape, they form an unbreakable bond nurtured by their grandmother’s stories. Together they disappear into their imagination and forge a world where a patch of grass reveals an archaeologist’s dig, the smoke emerging from the local paper mill becomes the dust rising from wild horses galloping deep beneath the earth, and an abandoned 1950s convertible transforms into a time machine that can take them anywhere.

But no matter how hard they try, Arc and Daffy can’t escape the generational ghosts that haunt their family. And so, left to fend for themselves in the shadow of their rural Ohio town, the two sisters cling tight to one another.

Years later, as the sisters wrestle with the memories of their early life, a local woman is discovered dead in the river. Soon, more bodies are left floating in the water, and as the killer circles ever closer, Arc’s promise to keep herself and her sister safe becomes increasingly desperate – and the powerful riptide of the savage side more difficult to survive.

Drawing from the true story of women killed in Chillicothe, Ohio, acclaimed novelist and poet Tiffany McDaniel has written a moving literary testament and fearless elegy for missing women everywhere.”

Hello and welcome to damppebbles. Today I am delighted to share my review of On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel. On the Savage Side was published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on 2nd March 2023 and is available in hardcover, audio and digital formats with the paperback to follow next year. I chose to read and review a free ARC of On the Savage Side but that has in no way influenced my review. My grateful thanks to Corinne at Weidenfeld & Nicolson for sending me a finished copy.

Twin sisters Arcade and Daffodil Doggs haven’t been dealt the best hand in life. Their mother and aunt both struggle with addiction, doing whatever it takes to get their next fix. The only nurturing influence in their lives, their grandmother, dies leaving the two girls in the potentially destructive hands of their mother and aunt. On the Savage Side follows the two girls as they grow into women. Will the neglect they suffered as young girls result in a heart breaking end for the twins? Are they destined to follow the same path as their guardians (I use that term very, very loosely!). Or will life take a different turn for Arc and Daffy?

On the Savage Side is a haunting, beautifully written, highly affecting novel which will stay with me for many years to come. The writing is exceptional – lyrical and poetic – and the characters are sublime. Arc and Daffy became living breathing beings to me and I wholeheartedly cared about their emotional state and general wellbeing. Sadly life for the twins is far from good. As their grandmother explained before her death – in life, there is a savage side and a beautiful side. Heartbreakingly so for these young woman, they live on the savage side. But that won’t stop them for wanting beauty and joy in their lives. As the girls grow into women it’s down to Arc, the stronger more resilient of the two, to protect Daffy. From herself, from what many believe is the girls destiny but also from a serial killer. A killer is on the loose in Chillicote, Ohio. They’re murdering young women and dumping their bodies in the river. And if Arc and Daffy aren’t careful, they could easily end up becoming the killer’s next victims.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. On the Savage Side is a dark, highly affecting story which draws the reader into the lives of two unforgettable characters. It’s a pretty bleak novel which I don’t think is going to be a good fit for all readers. At 453 pages long and with a deliciously slow, beautifully unfolding pace it’s a book that requires the reader to invest in it. It’s not a beach read, that’s for sure! However, if you’re looking for an experience, if you’re looking for a book that has the author’s heart and soul poured into it, then you must read On the Savage Side. I have never read a book like this before and I doubt I will ever find another to match it. Stunning. One for my top books of the year list without a doubt. Highly recommended.

One final thing before I sign off. The hardback copy of this book is a thing of beauty. I don’t normally comment on the aesthetics of a novel but On the Savage Side‘s artwork absolutely deserves a mention. The cover and the end papers really add to the overall reading experience. They set the scene (not that that’s needed in anyway). Huge kudos to the W&N team for creating such a magnificent edition.

I chose to read and review a free ARC of On the Savage Side. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel was published in the UK by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on 2nd March 2023 and is available in hardcover, audio and digital formats with the paperback to follow (please note, the following links are affiliate links which means I receive a small percentage of the purchase price at no extra cost to you): | amazon.co.uk | Waterstones | Foyles | bookshop.org | Goodreads | damppebbles bookshop.org shop | damppebbles amazon.co.uk shop | damppebbles amazon.com shop |

TIFFANY MCDANIEL is an Ohio native whose writing is inspired by the rolling hills and woods of the land she knows. She is a poet, novelist, visual artist and the author of The Summer that Melted Everything, Betty, and On the Savage Side. She lives with six cats and a dog surrounded by the trees and wildlife that she loves. When not writing, she may be found in the garden.