This is obviously a huge hit with over 33000 reviews on Amazon, so given the hype, I had to read it.  I am pleased to say that it was even better than I expected. It is beautifully written and very much worth reading.  Owens has created a story of survival about a girl left alone at a very young age to make her own way in the marshes of North Carolina.  Making use of all the resources around her to survive, Kya grows into a woman of great intelligence and talent.

What made this story so great to me was all the detail about the marshland, the animals, plants, and water.  The description of the environment was magnificent and I could completely visualize the books that Kya wrote in her later years.  

This won’t become a part of my favorite books ever read but I am certainly glad I did not miss it!  If you are a fan of Pat Conroy, you definitely do not want to miss this read.