Great book! The way the story is told grabbed my attention and I flew through the story. The first person account of the story by the girl who grew up the way she did was interesting and thought-provoking. Would be a great book for book club discussions!

I have never read a book that has captivated me and given me real emotions to deal with while reading. This book captured me completely and I will recommend it to anyone I know.

This book really did not work for me, I could not connect at all with any of the characters. The story is told from Helena's point of view about her escaped from prison father The Marsh King. Helena was born into captivity, the captor being her father. I feel that, in my opinion, Helena glorified her father. He taught her the skills to survive in the wilderness and that alone will help Helena track The Marsh King down. The story itself is very well written. I just did not enjoy this book at all.This review was originally posted on Cindy's Book Binge

The author spends too much time focusing on Helena’s upbringing, the life in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but not on the tension and suspense in the present situation. We see a lot of from the “happy” childhood, while I would not refuse to know more about the new personalities and separate lives of the daughter and father. Moreover, too little of the character development shows us that the connection girl has with the idolized violent relative almost never goes away. I did have a hard time reading all the hunting and killing details. On the whole, the reader looking for the thought-provoking and explorative of the narrator’s mindset novel will definitely enjoy the book. Although, those, who desire developed characters, justified decisions and richly-described events, will be left with some questions and wanting more to fulfil the expectations.

I had a hell of a time even trying to read this book. It seemed compelling but I just could NOT get myself into this book :(

Raised in isolation in the marshes of the Upper Peninsula, Helena grew up not realizing the father she simultaneously adored and feared kidnapped her mother and was holding them prisoner for her entire childhood. Helena discovered this dark secret as a teenager, spurring her and her mother's escape. Her father was eventually captured and is serving a life term in prison. Now an adult, Helena has kept her identity a secret from her husband and two young daughters, leading a quiet, happy life selling jam, hunting with her loyal dog, and enjoying the outdoors. She struggles still with fitting in with society and cannot fully hate her upbringing or her father, despite the evils he wrought against both her and her mother. Helena's secret identity as the notorious Marsh King's Daughter is exposed after her father murders two prison guards and escapes back into the wilderness near Helena's home. Helena believes she is the only person who can find her father, beginning a dangerous cat and mouse game. Spanning a short time period in the present parts of the novel while also delving deeply back into Helena's childhood, this is a thrilling, scary ride into the depths of what it means to be a family, to be a father, to be a daughter. You never quite know what Helena's endgame is. Will she kill her father or will she let him go once she wins their sick game? A great audiobook as well, the narrator was excellent. Highly recommend.

Okay wow! This book was so good!! I loved every single page! I loved her story and going back in the past with her, such a kick ass female !!