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lilcoppertop's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Child abuse, Confinement, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Car accident, and Death
Minor: Torture, Sexual violence, and Rape
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was easily read in one sitting but by golly does it pack a punch! This is the type of book we need to be studying at school in Australia.
What begins as a simple investigation into a deadly fire (as simple as it can be when the detective’s dead daughter is around in ghost form to help him), ends up uncovering a harrowing tale of survival and long-held grief. The plot also begins the scratch the surface of the tragedy that is the Stolen Generation in Australia, whereby numerous Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families to try and assimilate them in “white society”.
Much of the book is told in prose, which I admittedly stay away from a lot of the time, but now I’m starting to think that that has been a mistake. The prose is lyrical, easy to read and the use of allegory to veil to a terrible truth is simply superb.
Story-telling and family is at the heart of this book, and oh, what a mighty heart it has.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Rape, Murder, and Violence
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