In Winter's Bone, author Daniel Woodrell does an excellent job of making the reader feel that they are in the harsh Ozark winter right beside Ree with his beautifully worded descriptions of the setting. Ree's character is tough and strong but she has a rarely shown soft side too. She was a wonderfully developed heroine in this book. I loved the dialogue in this book as well. The way the people spoke was almost poetic, even when it was also vulgar or threatening. An example (without the vulgarity) is Ree talking to her mom:

"You're about to look peachy, Mom"
"Could I?"
"Yup. So peachy you'll be feelin' all strutty, probably start dancin', kick your toes to the ceilin'."

This book is short - 193 pages, which makes it even more intense. Ree is focused on finding her father and I was right there along with her every step of the way, my heart beating just as fast as hers.