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tmleblanc's review against another edition
2.0
Pen Pal by Francesca Forrest caught my eye in Toronto in 2015. The idea of pen pals connecting and inspiring each other to achieve great things sounded promising, but in the end it didn’t quite deliver.
Since the story is told in via the journals Em and Kaya write as well as the letters they exchange it was hard to gain a true outside perspective regarding the causes they were fighting for. I understood why each girl individually was fighting, but I didn’t understand how their fights connected to the outside world and to me personally. As a result, I had difficulty identifying with and feeling connected to Em and Kaya.
The most puzzling thing about this book is it genre. I found it in a bookshop that specializes in science fiction and fantasy novels. There is some mysticism in Pen Pal, but it seems firmly rooted in a somewhat present time with contemporary political and natural weather events. Not that the book needs a clear genre, I read plenty of cross-genre books. However, I went in expecting more of a fantasy bent based on what the bookseller told me and the type of bookstore I purchased the book in. I struggled when the tiny bits of mysticism and fantasy crept in because it didn’t quite mesh with the over all contemporary fiction bent of the novel. As a reader, I felt required to accept the otherworldly elements with no explanation.
Pen Pal might be a good fit for young readers who won’t necessarily question the seemingly random fantasy elements that caused me a great deal of confusion. This novel might also inspire younger reader to be activists and fight for noble causes. As an older reader, I’m not sure this book was a good fit as I spend most of my time puzzling out what type of book this was and finding a way to connect with the young characters and see the world from their point of view.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews
Since the story is told in via the journals Em and Kaya write as well as the letters they exchange it was hard to gain a true outside perspective regarding the causes they were fighting for. I understood why each girl individually was fighting, but I didn’t understand how their fights connected to the outside world and to me personally. As a result, I had difficulty identifying with and feeling connected to Em and Kaya.
The most puzzling thing about this book is it genre. I found it in a bookshop that specializes in science fiction and fantasy novels. There is some mysticism in Pen Pal, but it seems firmly rooted in a somewhat present time with contemporary political and natural weather events. Not that the book needs a clear genre, I read plenty of cross-genre books. However, I went in expecting more of a fantasy bent based on what the bookseller told me and the type of bookstore I purchased the book in. I struggled when the tiny bits of mysticism and fantasy crept in because it didn’t quite mesh with the over all contemporary fiction bent of the novel. As a reader, I felt required to accept the otherworldly elements with no explanation.
Pen Pal might be a good fit for young readers who won’t necessarily question the seemingly random fantasy elements that caused me a great deal of confusion. This novel might also inspire younger reader to be activists and fight for noble causes. As an older reader, I’m not sure this book was a good fit as I spend most of my time puzzling out what type of book this was and finding a way to connect with the young characters and see the world from their point of view.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews
crystal_reading's review against another edition
3.0
Review copy: final copy from author
There are several appealing things about this novel. First, the storyline is interesting. A young girl from a small community has sent out a message in a bottle. The community she lives is one that floats on the sea and has a close relationship with the water. The message ends up with a young woman in a unique prison. She is hanging above a volcano. This is a part that was a bit hard to swallow at first. Over time that was more and more believable, but initially, it was difficult to believe.
Second, this features diverse characters. They live far from each other in two distinct cultures. They are both trying to hold onto their culture. One is deliberately being erased by the government and the other is less deliberate, but is still at risk. They both have an internal struggle with how to fit in with the larger society while holding onto family culture.
The settings were well drawn and I felt like I was right there with the characters.
The format was not always helpful for the story. A mix of letters along with narrative may have moved the story along a little more smoothly, but overall it worked.
I enjoyed the story and would recommend it for people interested in political activism and the issues of cultural preservation.
There are several appealing things about this novel. First, the storyline is interesting. A young girl from a small community has sent out a message in a bottle. The community she lives is one that floats on the sea and has a close relationship with the water. The message ends up with a young woman in a unique prison. She is hanging above a volcano. This is a part that was a bit hard to swallow at first. Over time that was more and more believable, but initially, it was difficult to believe.
Second, this features diverse characters. They live far from each other in two distinct cultures. They are both trying to hold onto their culture. One is deliberately being erased by the government and the other is less deliberate, but is still at risk. They both have an internal struggle with how to fit in with the larger society while holding onto family culture.
The settings were well drawn and I felt like I was right there with the characters.
The format was not always helpful for the story. A mix of letters along with narrative may have moved the story along a little more smoothly, but overall it worked.
I enjoyed the story and would recommend it for people interested in political activism and the issues of cultural preservation.
silentrequiem's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Religious bigotry, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
justasking27's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars - and I hope I can re-read with a book club one day.
Normally I'm not a fan of stories told as a series of letters and diary entries, as this one is, but I think it absolutely works here. The voices are distinct and the differences between what is in the letters and what's in the more personal diary entries just echo the overarching themes. These themes include the interpretation of others' actions, making decisions based on your own beliefs vs what others think, and learning how to trust when you know you're not getting the full story. Seeing these themes unfold through the eyes of the mature - yet still naive in many ways - 12 year old Em, just makes them all the more powerful, as she questions things that I've learned to take for granted as an adult.
I don't even know what genre tag to put this under, as I never read contemporary fiction and haven't yet created 'good-indie-fiction' which is what this is. Set in what could absolutely be present day, dealing with themes that are frighteningly relevant, it's not quite YA or fantasy or children's - it's just good.
My one complaint is that Em constantly writes "should of" instead of "should have" and I'm sure it's to create her character and at least it's consistent but AHHHHH. /endrant
Highly recommended, for all ages.
Normally I'm not a fan of stories told as a series of letters and diary entries, as this one is, but I think it absolutely works here. The voices are distinct and the differences between what is in the letters and what's in the more personal diary entries just echo the overarching themes. These themes include the interpretation of others' actions, making decisions based on your own beliefs vs what others think, and learning how to trust when you know you're not getting the full story. Seeing these themes unfold through the eyes of the mature - yet still naive in many ways - 12 year old Em, just makes them all the more powerful, as she questions things that I've learned to take for granted as an adult.
I don't even know what genre tag to put this under, as I never read contemporary fiction and haven't yet created 'good-indie-fiction' which is what this is. Set in what could absolutely be present day, dealing with themes that are frighteningly relevant, it's not quite YA or fantasy or children's - it's just good.
My one complaint is that Em constantly writes "should of" instead of "should have" and I'm sure it's to create her character and at least it's consistent but AHHHHH. /endrant
Highly recommended, for all ages.
kristamccracken's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly heartwarming. When I purchased this book as part of a fantasy bundle on Storybundle was anticipating something filled with more magic and other forms of traditional fantasy. But the subtle inclusion of elemental based beliefs systems, and the unlikely nature of the pen pals in the book was well done.
tiggum's review against another edition
4.0
Reminds me of [b:To Kill a Mockingbird|2657|To Kill a Mockingbird|Harper Lee|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361975680s/2657.jpg|3275794]. I don't really have much more to say about it, but here's a quote from it that I liked:
"Em and her people have hurricane hearts. And me? I must cultivate a heart of ruby fire from now on. The power of ruby fire is different from hurricane power. Everyone can see a hurricane coming, and so they shake with fear. The ruby fire no one can see coming until it arrives—and so they shake with fear."
"Em and her people have hurricane hearts. And me? I must cultivate a heart of ruby fire from now on. The power of ruby fire is different from hurricane power. Everyone can see a hurricane coming, and so they shake with fear. The ruby fire no one can see coming until it arrives—and so they shake with fear."
minsies's review against another edition
2.0
Enh. It's OK. Probably better for someone closer to Em's age. There's nothing really wrong with it, but it wasn't really for me, either.
However, if you are looking for a book for a 12 or 13-year-old, then this one has good messages. The government details may be a bit too much for someone who doesn't have a high enough level of maturity to reason through those things (then again, maybe someone younger wouldn't be paying that much attention to that stuff). Anyway, it's a kid and a woman helping each other out over a great distance, so, yeah. That's a good thing to see unfold!
However, if you are looking for a book for a 12 or 13-year-old, then this one has good messages. The government details may be a bit too much for someone who doesn't have a high enough level of maturity to reason through those things (then again, maybe someone younger wouldn't be paying that much attention to that stuff). Anyway, it's a kid and a woman helping each other out over a great distance, so, yeah. That's a good thing to see unfold!
babiafi's review
5.0
I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say this is the best book I've read so far this year.
Em is a young girl living in a Mermaid's Hands, a floating village rich with tradition. Half a world away is Kaya, a member of a minority culture imprisoned for refusing to let go of her own culture. A message in a bottle brings them together.
The book is written in letter / diary format, and it works exceptionally well. I loved the way the story unfolded, watching as both grow as individuals, learning what it is to belong to something.
Em is a young girl living in a Mermaid's Hands, a floating village rich with tradition. Half a world away is Kaya, a member of a minority culture imprisoned for refusing to let go of her own culture. A message in a bottle brings them together.
The book is written in letter / diary format, and it works exceptionally well. I loved the way the story unfolded, watching as both grow as individuals, learning what it is to belong to something.
bluebec's review
5.0
This is a seriously great story. A story about friendships in different countries between two minoritised women, one young and one adult. A story about belonging and human rights and a place to call home.
Highly highly recommended
Highly highly recommended
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