Review of American River: Tributaries

[abbey fu]

[Following is a volunteer review of "American River: Tributaries" by Mallory M. O'Connor.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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American River: Tributaries is a compelling, well-written, historical debut novel written by Mallory M. O’Connor that follows three separate immigrant families each with different backgrounds that settles in the mid-1800s along the American river located in California. Decades pass and no major changes occur, until 1959, when Mariam McPhalan, the wife of the owner of Mockingbird Valley Ranch, Owen McPhalan’s flourishing family business, leaves the comfort and safety of Mockingbird to pursue her faraway dream of becoming a successful artist, and unknowingly causes a huge impact on the descendants of all three families, leading to multiple forbidden romances, misunderstandings, loss, and heartbreak through all families. This book will definitely be keeping you on your toes, with intricate plotlines, along with twists and turns you could have never imagined.

The book itself is already very well written, in a way only someone well versed in the messy arts of writing could have possibly written, which is why I was quite taken aback when I realized it was the first novel the author (Mallory M. O’Connor) had ever written and published. The author manages to spin several engaging storylines at the same time while making sure the quality stays consistent with all of them throughout the book.

The only negative point to me is that the author does tend to take the more long-winded approach, as you can quite clearly see as the story progresses, so it is definitely not considered as a fast-paced read, but it is also mostly the artist’s long and in-depth descriptives and evident character developments that truly makes you feel as though you are there in Sacramento Valley, following the gradually unfolding plot of the book, and the inescapable fate of some of the characters.

I would recommend this book to just about anyone who loves a good read, especially to those with interest in, or enjoyers of historical dramas. The book is the first novel out of the American River Trilogy, and I can't say I would be surprised if one day in the near future the series gets adapted as a television series, or even a movie or two.

I give this book a 4 out of 4 stars for its exciting plot, the author's attention to detail, and the exemplary way the characters were portrayed and developed. I personally, will definitely be on the lookout for the next book in the series to read.

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American River: Tributaries
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