A journey of self-discovery and second chances... The Night on the Darling River by Darry Fraser (Review) #thenightonthedarlingriver #DarryFraser @HarperCollinsAU @austenprose #histfic #historicafiction #australianfiction #romancebooks #womensfiction #newbooks #bookx #harpercollinsaustralia #austenprosepr


Welcome to my tour stop! Read my review of this compelling story below...

The Night on the Darling River
By Darry Fraser
Historical Fiction, Suspense, Romance, Women's Fiction
Paperback & eBook, 424 Pages
December 1, 2024 by HQ Fiction

Summary

Amid the rising flood waters and shearers' strike violence, can one brave woman reclaim her future? From an Australian bestselling author comes a riveting historical adventure about one woman's journey from a life of isolation to one of love and acceptance.

1894, Echuca, Victoria

Tess Hawthorn is a woman on the run from her abusive husband. All she has to do is get on the riverboat Victor and she will be free.

But with tensions at an all-time high between unionist shearers and Scabs, Tess isn't the only person trying to board a boat under the cover of night. When a brawl erupts between the union and non-union men, Tess is mistaken for a fellow Scab and in the chaos pulled aboard the PS Rodney - the same boat heading up the Darling River that her husband was bound for.

The last person Bram Kempster expects to see on board is Tess Hawthorn, the girl he's loved from afar since they were young. But he can't afford to get distracted, not when he's on an urgent trip to Renmark. Tess didn't want him back then and, if her haughty behaviour is anything to go by, she certainly doesn't want him now.

But childhood hurts are the least of their problems. The continent is a tinderbox of violence and bloodshed waiting to ignite, and at home the Murray River is rising fast. Can they overcome their past in time to work together and survive?

PRAISE FOR DARRY FRASER

'Fraser has established herself as one of Australia's most loved historical fiction authors.' - The Herald Sun

'In The Milliner of Bendigo, Fraser delivers another enthralling adventure, sweeping us along on the remarkable journey of a woman determined to forge her own path.' - Better Reading

'Darry Fraser is at the top of her game with her latest Australian historical ... The Milliner of Bendigo is another wonderful tale to immerse yourself in.' - Great Reads & Tea Leaves

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My Review

THE NIGHT ON THE DARLING RIVER is about a wife trying to leave her abusive husband on a boat down the river during a strike full of violence. It's a journey that involves a terribly violent night on the river with great impact on this woman's life, those involved and those whose lives it touches. The story follows five characters amid all this chaos, poor choices, and finding their own journeys of self-discovery be it good or bad. Recommended to general historical fiction readers who don't mind more mature content.

This is my first book from this author and my first story set during this time and place. Fraser did an excellent job immediately immersing me in the lives of her characters and the setting. I didn't feel like information was dumped on me or told what I should think. I experienced the story, lived in the late 1800s in Victoria alongside these characters during months of turbulent, violent, destructive times that were also full of forged friendships, romance and both negative and positive surprises for all to weather. Nor were all the characters easily categorized. They were complex and morally gray. There were characters I loved: Tess who pulled on all my heartstrings, steady and dependable Bram whose heart had been given once and stayed true, and Merv who made me laugh so many times. There was Ava and Tad with their rocky beginning as they tried to survive, and Tad's steadfastness. Then there were characters I didn't like: Alby who I don't want to mention at all, Harry who was had his good and bad moments, and Eugenia who had her own choices and role to play. This story had a lot of moving parts and overlapping storylines, and the author made it all work seamlessly. It's a story that will keep readers turning the pages to find out how it all plays out.

There were a few aspects of the story that weren't for me. The strongest were some of the sexual references mostly in reference to one of the characters, Harry. I didn't need any of his visuals in my head, especially as they were all degrading to women. I also have an issue when a book uses a lot of blasphemy, which this one does on top of consistent swearing. Another issue was having Harry as a point of view at all. I tend to not love stories where I don't love the main characters and since in this book the author has several points of view from several characters, you get all their stories regardless if you like them or not. That can work in some cases, but in this case, I would have been okay with the author or editor cutting out some of them, keeping what was pertinent to the story and working those pieces through as needed in order to focus on Tess and Bram. These are my personal preferences, and I know that many others won't have these same issues. 

In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a well-written and compelling story. The historical setting was immersive with a heroine whose situation was heartrending, but also such a good character arc with a feel-good, well-deserved ending. Characters were complex and morally gray. Aspects of it weren't for me, but otherwise general fiction readers will enjoy this one.

Content & Trigger Warnings: Some crude references and language, blasphemy, swearing (including the s and f-word), references to prostitution, marital affairs, and other sexual references (some briefly detailed), some extreme and consistent violence, murder, domestic abuse (some parts very traumatic). 
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Austenprose, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author


Darry Fraser lives on the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, very close to the mighty River Murray.

Currently she writes empowering, feminist adventure fiction set in Australian history including Daughter of the Murray, Where the Murray River Runs, The Milliner of Bendigo, and her latest release, The Night on the Darling River. She has been published annually with HarperCollins Australia since 2016. Visit her at www.darryfraser.com.


Have you read any of this author's other books or any stories set historically in Australia?

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