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clareolivia's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Gun violence
icarusandthesun's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tender and beautiful.
i didn't really know what to expect when i picked this up. i stuck to the synopsis that vaguely promised adventure and american landscapes and decided that this would definitely be something new, something i wouldn't normally pick up.
but oh am i glad i did.
right off the bat, i loved all the protagonists - every single one. they all had their own aspirations, dreams and motives, and were undoubtedly unique, yet also easy to sympathise with.
the relationship dynamics were at times wholesome, at others tenuous but without fail always profoundly human.
the occasional switch between the different points of view kept the story interesting and made for a very diverse reading experience.
the landscape descriptions were often quite long, however, and got repetitive after a while. during many of these very detailed scenes, i found myself zoning out and getting a little bored.
i did love the ending though, how it didn't seem to confine the characters to a certain conclusion but rather set them free to explore the world after, like releasing a bird from its cage. it was refreshing.
a very good read indeed.
i didn't really know what to expect when i picked this up. i stuck to the synopsis that vaguely promised adventure and american landscapes and decided that this would definitely be something new, something i wouldn't normally pick up.
but oh am i glad i did.
right off the bat, i loved all the protagonists - every single one. they all had their own aspirations, dreams and motives, and were undoubtedly unique, yet also easy to sympathise with.
the relationship dynamics were at times wholesome, at others tenuous but without fail always profoundly human.
the occasional switch between the different points of view kept the story interesting and made for a very diverse reading experience.
the landscape descriptions were often quite long, however, and got repetitive after a while. during many of these very detailed scenes, i found myself zoning out and getting a little bored.
i did love the ending though, how it didn't seem to confine the characters to a certain conclusion but rather set them free to explore the world after, like releasing a bird from its cage. it was refreshing.
a very good read indeed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Child abuse
Minor: Murder, Vomit, Blood, Alcoholism, and War
jacksonlauren's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Animal death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Death, Child abuse, and Death of parent
juliannar's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Raft of Stars was a good coming-of-age novel. I appreciated that Graff wrote the story from the perspective of two ten-year-olds who are on the run from their guardians. It was a unique perspective, and I appreciated the inclusion of four adult characters as well since it provided more layers to the story.
Fish and Bread are the children in the book, and are friends. Fish comes to live with his grandfather Teddy every summer, and Bread lives with his abusive father. Fish tries to rectify the situation of Bread's father, when he sees Bread being abused. It is at this point that they both go on the run through the woods. The supporting cast of characters is rounded out by Cal, the Sheriff, Tiffany, the gas station attendant and town girl, as well as Fish's mother Miranda.
The different perspectives round out the novel, as we are able to see the struggles that they are all going through while coming together to save and rescue the boys.
The imagery evoked in the novel reminded me of Hatchet, or even Tom Sawyer. Very raw, natural, boys in their element doing their thing, living their lives and grappling with decisions they've made. It was a very quick read, and very engaging (I read it in about 3 days). I also loved the ending of the book. There is symbolism involving nature and the past that I think is just very well done, and wraps the book up nicely.
I would have liked to see a bit more of the boys personality, rather than just all of their adventuring with a couple sentimental moments thrown in. Same goes for the adult characters. Miranda is billed as one of the main characters, but we don't get nearly as many details about her as we do Tiffany or even Teddy.
This book will receive a 3.5 star rating, rounded up to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ecco, and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Fish and Bread are the children in the book, and are friends. Fish comes to live with his grandfather Teddy every summer, and Bread lives with his abusive father. Fish tries to rectify the situation of Bread's father, when he sees Bread being abused. It is at this point that they both go on the run through the woods. The supporting cast of characters is rounded out by Cal, the Sheriff, Tiffany, the gas station attendant and town girl, as well as Fish's mother Miranda.
The different perspectives round out the novel, as we are able to see the struggles that they are all going through while coming together to save and rescue the boys.
The imagery evoked in the novel reminded me of Hatchet, or even Tom Sawyer. Very raw, natural, boys in their element doing their thing, living their lives and grappling with decisions they've made. It was a very quick read, and very engaging (I read it in about 3 days). I also loved the ending of the book. There is symbolism involving nature and the past that I think is just very well done, and wraps the book up nicely.
I would have liked to see a bit more of the boys personality, rather than just all of their adventuring with a couple sentimental moments thrown in. Same goes for the adult characters. Miranda is billed as one of the main characters, but we don't get nearly as many details about her as we do Tiffany or even Teddy.
This book will receive a 3.5 star rating, rounded up to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ecco, and the author for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, and Death of parent
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