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danielled75's review against another edition
4.0
I’m not sure how to start this, since there are a few things I want to mention about this book, but just getting to a starting point is difficult.
The characters Anda and Hector are both broken, but in such a perfect way for the story that I find them both relatable and loveable.
Hector come from a broken home, he lives with his Uncle. He is of mixed race of Korean and African American, so growing up with his mother they both faced the looks and comments. She chose to stay in Korea and wants Hector to live with his father. Hectors father is in the military so, his father asks his brother to raise him. You get the idea that all Hectors uncle cares about is the money and not him. Hector feels the only way to deal with his anger is by self harming.
Anda is a pure “wild child” who has lived on the island her entire life, and of course there is a very sound reason as to why. She is ‘The November Witch” that the people on the island talk about, but no one really knows that the Witch is an actual person, and not just an urban legend. Anda has a difficult time with her “human side” when she has her mother in her ear telling her to kill Hector, since he should not be on the island, Anda is curious and wants to know more about Hector.
The whole story is told in alternating pov’s between Anda and Hector. The first half of the book is like a dance between the two of them, seeing each other, trying to talk to each other, avoiding each other, since neither one wants to be seen. After the ice is slowly breaking between the two they are almost inseparable, although there are still secrets being kept back.
Hector wants to know more about Anda and why she is alone on the island, Anda wants to know why Hector ran away to hide on the island. As the story progresses, you find that Anda and Hector are more alike than opposite, since they are both children of anger and rage.
By the end of the book the secrets are known and the feelings haven’t changed, Hector finds his voice and stands up for what he wants in his own life, Anda accepts her fate and seems to be ok with that.
This was a wonderful stand alone book to read, and I found it was a nice break from all the series I’ve been trying to get caught up on. I was also happy to see that my assumption about Anda was wrong and that she wasn’t the mythical creature I thought she was.
The characters Anda and Hector are both broken, but in such a perfect way for the story that I find them both relatable and loveable.
Hector come from a broken home, he lives with his Uncle. He is of mixed race of Korean and African American, so growing up with his mother they both faced the looks and comments. She chose to stay in Korea and wants Hector to live with his father. Hectors father is in the military so, his father asks his brother to raise him. You get the idea that all Hectors uncle cares about is the money and not him. Hector feels the only way to deal with his anger is by self harming.
Anda is a pure “wild child” who has lived on the island her entire life, and of course there is a very sound reason as to why. She is ‘The November Witch” that the people on the island talk about, but no one really knows that the Witch is an actual person, and not just an urban legend. Anda has a difficult time with her “human side” when she has her mother in her ear telling her to kill Hector, since he should not be on the island, Anda is curious and wants to know more about Hector.
The whole story is told in alternating pov’s between Anda and Hector. The first half of the book is like a dance between the two of them, seeing each other, trying to talk to each other, avoiding each other, since neither one wants to be seen. After the ice is slowly breaking between the two they are almost inseparable, although there are still secrets being kept back.
Hector wants to know more about Anda and why she is alone on the island, Anda wants to know why Hector ran away to hide on the island. As the story progresses, you find that Anda and Hector are more alike than opposite, since they are both children of anger and rage.
By the end of the book the secrets are known and the feelings haven’t changed, Hector finds his voice and stands up for what he wants in his own life, Anda accepts her fate and seems to be ok with that.
This was a wonderful stand alone book to read, and I found it was a nice break from all the series I’ve been trying to get caught up on. I was also happy to see that my assumption about Anda was wrong and that she wasn’t the mythical creature I thought she was.
ladyj1989's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
To slow to read the book. I had to listen audiobook at 2x the speed. I like the idea but the execution was lacking in my opinion.
betwixt_the_pages's review against another edition
4.0
I am Anda, and the lake is my mother. I am the November storms that terrify sailors and sink ships. With their deaths, I keep my little island on Lake Superior alive.
Hector has come here to hide from his family until he turns eighteen. Isle Royale is shut down for the winter, and there's no one here but me. And now him.
Hector is running from the violence in his life, but violence runs through my veins. I should send him away, to keep him safe. But I'm half human, too, and Hector makes me want to listen to my foolish, half-human heart. And if I do, I can't protect him from the storms coming for us.
"Three-dimensional vividness...An emotional and dramatic tale of an otherworldly relationship."
--KIRKUS REVIEWS
Rating: 4.75/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: gorgeous purple prose; I LOVE LOVE LOVE how well Lydia Kang wrote Anda; the juxtaposition of their POVs and character traits is endearing and beautiful; the magic and otherworldly-ness surrounding Anda was brilliant; this novel was absolutely masterful
Huge thanks to Lydia King, Entangled Publishing, Chapter by Chapter Book Tours, and Netgalley for sending a free egalley of this title my way in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this book.
This book is just so heartbreaking and beautiful, Penguins. Starting with the COVER--just look at that gorgeousness! I couldn't help but show off the cover to a friend of mine; she practically drooled over it, so I know I'm not TOO biased. This cover--and this BOOK--are absolutely stunning and I just cannot cannot CANNOT stress that enough! The prose is purple and flowery and so so easy to imagine--Lydia Kang is a weaver of words and made this journey a treat!
And then I think about licking butter off my fingertips. Of melting chocolate on the roof of my mouth. The delight of Hector's weight crushing me when we tumbled in the cabin that bashfully regarded us. I look at Hector's handsome, worried face and think of his hungered kisses--a completely idiosyncratic human action that means nothing in the clockwork of nature. His kisses had been an opiate for me--the girl, Anda Selkirk--and I returned them just as ravenously.
Can I redraw a line that's cut me in two for so long?
I really, really adored how well-crafted the characters are, especially. Anda is something not quite human--in fact, at the beginning of this read, she is VERY VERY far from human. Lydia Kang took a character who is not wholly human (or not human at all, in some instances) and made me believe in her. Believe that she could actually exist, could actually be sitting right in front of me. And she managed, somehow, to weave her not-humanness so thoroughly into the story, it felt exactly and totally right! I laughed at the interactions between Anda and Hector; I pined for more of the magic and mystical ethereality of Anda's existence. This book just...made me feel ALL THE THINGS, and right now, that's an awesome thing.
I just...you should for sure pick this novel up, Penguins! The prose is breathtaking, the characters are so vibrant and complex... It's a journey you'll want to take again, and again, for fear you missed something even more gorgeous along the way (and it's possible you just might, if you blink!) I'd recommend to lovers of magical realism, transcendent first loves, and inhuman characters. November is calling you, Penguins; are you brave enough to answer?
archergal's review against another edition
3.0
A mostly YA romance book with a healthy dose of elemental entities and a side-helping of young people suffering from abuse and/or self-harm. Kinda dark and sad, and I wasn't sure how things were going to shake out till the end.
3.5 stars, largely because I don't care for romance.
I read most of it on a Friday afternoon/evening while I knitted on a new shawl.
3.5 stars, largely because I don't care for romance.
I read most of it on a Friday afternoon/evening while I knitted on a new shawl.
shannonxo's review against another edition
5.0
Holy moly oly. Let me just take a second to say that whatever I expected this book to be ... this was NOT it. And I mean that in the absolute best way possible. This was a riveting and emotional tale that had me glued to it for hours at a time. The themes of this book, although at times disturbing (Anda really likes death, okay), are heartfelt and thought provoking. Kang has a way with words that makes the setting of Isle Royale and the characters inhabiting it come to life in a magical and beautiful way. I'd read this again and would definitely recommend.
kate_brauning's review against another edition
5.0
This book breaks my heart and puts it back together again. A boy running from violence, a girl who's violence personified, both of them learning to deal with how human they really are. Part survival story, part magic. Take note of this one--you're going to love it and so will everyone else.
erinarkin20's review against another edition
4.0
A unique story!
I enjoyed this one but it was definitely different. I'm not sure what I was expecting going in and maybe that is the approach everyone should take as Kang has created a very unique story that is not only beautifully written but also kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next for these characters. If you are looking for something that is out of the ordinary, consider checking this one out.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this one but it was definitely different. I'm not sure what I was expecting going in and maybe that is the approach everyone should take as Kang has created a very unique story that is not only beautifully written but also kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next for these characters. If you are looking for something that is out of the ordinary, consider checking this one out.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
noura_rizk's review against another edition
3.0
"You don't want to be here when November comes."
They said, it's weird, and it was.
I said I will be super pissed if this ends badly, but I'm not.
I really don't know if I liked this book or not, it was WEIRD, and I thought about dropping it more than once, but also I'm glad I didn't..
They said, it's weird, and it was.
I said I will be super pissed if this ends badly, but I'm not.
I really don't know if I liked this book or not, it was WEIRD, and I thought about dropping it more than once, but also I'm glad I didn't..
bookladysreviews's review against another edition
4.0
*I received this book for free, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Hector has been trying to get away from his home life many times and he finds the chance to escape and reside on an - almost - empty island in the middle of nowhere. He doesn't expect to meet anyone while being there, since Isle Royale is deserted during the winter months and not a lot of people live there after the summer ends. Perfect for someone like Hector, who just wants to hide somewhere until he turns eighteen and won't be required to return back home. But nothing goes according to plan since his life is turned upside down when he meets Anda. She's basically what legends are made of and pretends to live a normal life on the island, with her father. For most of the year, that is. Because when November comes, she cannot ignore the storms that call out to her. It's her destiny to bring them to life and sink every ship that dares to cross the sea and come to the Island during that particular month. Her mother and sisters have done it before her and now it's her turn to take on the role of the November Witch. When the two meet, worlds collide and sparks fly, something they obviously are not able to ignore. The temptation is too much and they soon find themselves in a difficult situation, with Anda trying to suppress her true nature and Hector doing everything he could in order to save her from herself.
Hector and Anda were the reflection of each other. Both were broken and traumatized by what they went through and their pasts are unveiled as the story progresses. Hector is visibly struggling with his new life on the island and Anda is very curious to get to know him. She's intrigued by this mysterious and lonely boy who came to live on her island. He makes her feel thinks she has never felt before, emotions she didn't believe she was able to actually experience in her lifetime. She feels human when she's around him and even though she doesn't want to be rescued, she definitely makes an effort to keep her true nature at bay and control the chaos inside her. Hector is also fascinated by this ethereal creature that he did not expect to meet on an empty, lifeless island. I feel like, even though they did reflect each other on a lot of aspects, they also completed each other perfectly. Which is something they tried to avoid at the beginning, because a connection like this would obviously hinder them from their goals and keep them away from achieving what they initially set out to achieve.
Both characters were very likable and at the same time, peculiar. The story itself is complex and unique! Nothing is clear from the beginning, which gives the book an authentic feel that is very uncommon. The combination of these complicated characters with an unpredictable plot is definitely something I definitely was not expecting so, we can say that I was pleasantly surprised by the unexpectedness of it all. Their relationship progressed beautifully and nothing was instant or normal about it. It was definitely not love at first sight, since they both tried to stay away from each other at the beginning. It took a while for them to connect on a deeper level and form a bond that would not be easy to break. Their interactions made up for the absence of important secondary characters in the book and they managed to be the center of their own story, without leaving any gaps or makings readers feel like something vital was missing from the plot.
I loved everything about this book and how different it was from anything I've read before. It definitely managed to transport me in its magical world, with its interesting characters and beautiful writing! And I wouldn't have had it any other way. I wouldn't exactly say that this is a fast paced novel so, don't go into it expecting anything like that. It's one of those rare books that slowly builds the reader's excitement and reaches that perfectly executed climax at the end. Overall, The November Girl is a title I cannot recommend enough, especially if you're looking for that mysterious and extraordinary read that will wake you up and keep you at the edge of your seat until you finish it!
Hector has been trying to get away from his home life many times and he finds the chance to escape and reside on an - almost - empty island in the middle of nowhere. He doesn't expect to meet anyone while being there, since Isle Royale is deserted during the winter months and not a lot of people live there after the summer ends. Perfect for someone like Hector, who just wants to hide somewhere until he turns eighteen and won't be required to return back home. But nothing goes according to plan since his life is turned upside down when he meets Anda. She's basically what legends are made of and pretends to live a normal life on the island, with her father. For most of the year, that is. Because when November comes, she cannot ignore the storms that call out to her. It's her destiny to bring them to life and sink every ship that dares to cross the sea and come to the Island during that particular month. Her mother and sisters have done it before her and now it's her turn to take on the role of the November Witch. When the two meet, worlds collide and sparks fly, something they obviously are not able to ignore. The temptation is too much and they soon find themselves in a difficult situation, with Anda trying to suppress her true nature and Hector doing everything he could in order to save her from herself.
Hector and Anda were the reflection of each other. Both were broken and traumatized by what they went through and their pasts are unveiled as the story progresses. Hector is visibly struggling with his new life on the island and Anda is very curious to get to know him. She's intrigued by this mysterious and lonely boy who came to live on her island. He makes her feel thinks she has never felt before, emotions she didn't believe she was able to actually experience in her lifetime. She feels human when she's around him and even though she doesn't want to be rescued, she definitely makes an effort to keep her true nature at bay and control the chaos inside her. Hector is also fascinated by this ethereal creature that he did not expect to meet on an empty, lifeless island. I feel like, even though they did reflect each other on a lot of aspects, they also completed each other perfectly. Which is something they tried to avoid at the beginning, because a connection like this would obviously hinder them from their goals and keep them away from achieving what they initially set out to achieve.
Both characters were very likable and at the same time, peculiar. The story itself is complex and unique! Nothing is clear from the beginning, which gives the book an authentic feel that is very uncommon. The combination of these complicated characters with an unpredictable plot is definitely something I definitely was not expecting so, we can say that I was pleasantly surprised by the unexpectedness of it all. Their relationship progressed beautifully and nothing was instant or normal about it. It was definitely not love at first sight, since they both tried to stay away from each other at the beginning. It took a while for them to connect on a deeper level and form a bond that would not be easy to break. Their interactions made up for the absence of important secondary characters in the book and they managed to be the center of their own story, without leaving any gaps or makings readers feel like something vital was missing from the plot.
I loved everything about this book and how different it was from anything I've read before. It definitely managed to transport me in its magical world, with its interesting characters and beautiful writing! And I wouldn't have had it any other way. I wouldn't exactly say that this is a fast paced novel so, don't go into it expecting anything like that. It's one of those rare books that slowly builds the reader's excitement and reaches that perfectly executed climax at the end. Overall, The November Girl is a title I cannot recommend enough, especially if you're looking for that mysterious and extraordinary read that will wake you up and keep you at the edge of your seat until you finish it!