This is one of the most moving, caring, emotional novels I have ever read. I read this book only because I had met Delia and have read her wildlife books she wrote with husband Mark Owens. After starting the book this was all I could think about for days. Kya's life become part of mine and the characters ceased to live on the page... they were alive with me and I was in the marsh, feeling every feather - the air, creatures and the plants. Jumpin' became a trusted friend and so many moments touched my very soul. I should not have been surprised as Delia has a great style in her wildlife books that I love to read. But a novel like this is not my normal read. Maybe I need to now reconsider what I choose as this book stopped me cold and made me rethink a lot that happened in my life. Delia touched the human soul with her behavioral descriptions. She is not only a respected wildlife scientist, she is a human behaviorist and understands more about the human condition that just about anyone else I know. This is a tremendous treasure of a book and I'm sure it's staying in my read again list for a long time. Highly recommend the book.

This book had so many fantastic reviews. I was looking forward to reading it but quickly became disillusioned. I'm from NC and have never heard anyone talk with the type of accents Ms. Owens chose for her characters. It seems like a small thing but it was extremely distracting, and eventually became ridiculous, especially because the characters somehow switched back and forth between speaking like Mark Twain's Jim to perfect English. It made me wonder if the author has ever been to our fair state. The story was good enough, albeit predictable, and it's obvious the author did her research on marsh life. I learned quite a few wildlife facts that were interesting. The conversations just kept me wrinkling up my nose with distaste and I ended the book on a sour note.

Started reading it 10am and finished 8pm! Could not put it down. Main characters are easy to get to know (so you think) and the story draws you in from the start! I look forward to more from this author!! Read this Book!

What a book for the senses! After finishing it, I’m still so full of sights, smells, tastes, emotions; I think it will stay with me for a long, long time. It’s a beautiful, incandescent story written with lyrical prose that weaves seamlessly from the past to the current time in which the story is set. I was completely immersed in a marsh in North Carolina and didn’t want the story to end. The ending...didn’t see it coming. Just...wow. The whole book is wow.

Let me start by saying that this is the first review I have ever given. I am a voracious reader and have over 5,000 books in my library. I read fiction, non fiction, political, bios, horror, true crime, and everything in between. I saw this book recommended on some magazine publication review, do not remember which one. The plot sounded like something I might be interested in with intrigue, mystery, murder, and love. I will admit that the narration of nature in the swamp and marsh does get a little redundant but if you get past that you will find a book with a narrative hard to put down. You will feel compassion for the main character like you may have never felt before. This book brought me to tears at the end. I recommended it as a "must read" . I don't think you will walk away not remembering KYA for a long time.