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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
It took me a while to really get into this book & at first I wasn’t sure what the hype was about. After about halfway I became more interested & then was hooked during the final chapters!
An enjoyable, escalating read :)
An enjoyable, escalating read :)
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Both a story of a six year old learning to live alone in the marsh, and also a murder mystery.
I had a rant here before but it seems about as self-indulgent as I personally believe some of this book is.
All I'll say is that I think that many elements of this narrative have been examined very beautifully and courageously in other places - without abandoning important explorations of prejudice in favour of the plot.
All I'll say is that I think that many elements of this narrative have been examined very beautifully and courageously in other places - without abandoning important explorations of prejudice in favour of the plot.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i feel like i shouldn’t have enjoyed this book based off of so many poor reviews, but, after having a major reading slump, any thoughtfully written book that makes me want to come back & read as if there’s no tomorrow wins my heart.
i loved how Owens slowly bridged the time gap to tell the whole story & how Kya learns to become self reliant, but not without experiencing the griefs of humanity- like loneliness and heartbreak. i appreciate that kya doesn’t magically have her problems fixed by mabel’s charity or tate’s love or her book. even jodie’s return is not perfect. slowly, kya heals from past hurt, carrying its baggage with her. i also liked the way that Kya slowly makes the shack her own, adapting it to meet her needs, but never changing its exterior- much like she subtly changes but never looses herself and her profound connection to the swamp and her early life.
my grievances:
1) kya’s romances- her relationship with tate feels natural and smooth to read, but her relationship with chase has awkward dialogue that can be awkward to read, especially in the beginning. while this does contribute to the nature of their relationship, it’s just one of the few areas i had to skim for my own sake.
2) THE ENDING!!!! I didn’t love Kya being A.H.- it makes her randomly reciting the poetry out loud all alone even more awkward- it’d be a more natural progression if the poetry bits were written as an overwhelming expression of her emotions (even if they were framed as another’s words). i was so distracted by the revelation (of an honestly minor detail) that i had to go back and reread to realize that it was her confession to murder. and oh how i really wish she hadn’t actually murdered him- i feel like it just would’ve been a more satisfying read. “trash always takes itself out” & all of that. not saying i liked chase- the whole drunken encounter and subsequent chasing had me plotting to kill chase. it just undermined the point of the towns unfair prejudice & kya’s gentle nature despite her rough lifestyle.
3) how are we pronouncing kya’s name? is it KAY-uh or KI-uh? idk it just bugged me lol
i loved how Owens slowly bridged the time gap to tell the whole story & how Kya learns to become self reliant, but not without experiencing the griefs of humanity- like loneliness and heartbreak. i appreciate that kya doesn’t magically have her problems fixed by mabel’s charity or tate’s love or her book. even jodie’s return is not perfect. slowly, kya heals from past hurt, carrying its baggage with her. i also liked the way that Kya slowly makes the shack her own, adapting it to meet her needs, but never changing its exterior- much like she subtly changes but never looses herself and her profound connection to the swamp and her early life.
my grievances:
1) kya’s romances- her relationship with tate feels natural and smooth to read, but her relationship with chase has awkward dialogue that can be awkward to read, especially in the beginning. while this does contribute to the nature of their relationship, it’s just one of the few areas i had to skim for my own sake.
2) THE ENDING!!!! I didn’t love Kya being A.H.- it makes her randomly reciting the poetry out loud all alone even more awkward- it’d be a more natural progression if the poetry bits were written as an overwhelming expression of her emotions (even if they were framed as another’s words). i was so distracted by the revelation (of an honestly minor detail) that i had to go back and reread to realize that it was her confession to murder. and oh how i really wish she hadn’t actually murdered him- i feel like it just would’ve been a more satisfying read. “trash always takes itself out” & all of that. not saying i liked chase- the whole drunken encounter and subsequent chasing had me plotting to kill chase. it just undermined the point of the towns unfair prejudice & kya’s gentle nature despite her rough lifestyle.
3) how are we pronouncing kya’s name? is it KAY-uh or KI-uh? idk it just bugged me lol