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The beginning of this book had me hooked, fully convinced that it was going to be a five-star read. Historical fiction, memoir, a witty and strong female heroine, adventure, and a dash of fantasy? It was a perfect recipe. Unfortunately, the contemplative and slow pace dragged for me, and it also took me out of the feeling that the protagonist was writing a memoir of her life. It's nitpicking, sure, but who remembers details back that far when decades have passed? Switching between minute tidbits and her current opinion as she looks back, it fell into a weird category that ultimately didn't resonate as strongly. If you can tolerate a slow pace and some very graphic animal injury/death, it might be for you. I won't continue the series but am glad I read it.

Content warnings for animal cruelty and death (frequent), injury and medical content (graphic), violence, illness, kidnapping, and miscarriage.

Used for 2024 r/Fantasy Bingo (entitled animals, hard mode); also fits first in a series (hard mode), set in a small town, survival (hard mode), and reference materials (hard mode).