Reviews

I had mixed feelings. It’s a very slow start and I found how the author eventually drew the characters together and story to a close was not as satisfying and I had hoped.

bookishintentions's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hanjonees's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

emstermeegs's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Probably a 4.5, so I am rounding down.

Wow. I wasn't sure about this book. It started off intriguing with a skeleton in a well, and then was a bit of a slow build initially. But the characters drew me in. Chona, Moshe, Nate, Addie, Dodo, Monkey Pants - I was rooting for all of them, their connections. Monkey Pants and Dodo's friendship had me and caught me right in my feelings. The residents of Chicken Hill will stay with me for a while as I think on this one.

This is the first I've read from James McBride, and it likely won't be the last. I loved the way this was written, how these stories were woven together to bring you the final act, the connections. It wasn't about the mystery anymore, which was a good thing as I had the skeleton figured out about halfway through.

bileducks's review against another edition

Go to review page

Read for Kinghaven book club. I have no idea how to describe this book.

vic_dip's review against another edition

Go to review page

1.0

Dnf. This dragged on and on and on before it even got to a plot. Honestly felt like a homework assignment, and I only powered through as long as I did bc of how much everyone else seems to love it

rachelalthea's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

More...