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sapphire_mayo's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Alcohol, Cannibalism, Murder, Suicide, and Gun violence
Minor: Death, Alcoholism, and Colonisation
r_o_s_e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Colonisation, Abandonment, and Animal death
Moderate: Murder, Alcohol, Cultural appropriation, Gun violence, Gaslighting, and Suicide
Minor: Cursing, Cannibalism, and Violence
tigger89's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
If you can go into the story without having the "monster" spoiled for you, I recommend it. See if you can figure it out yourself(there is enough information, but you have to have some background knowledge to recognize the clues), and if not you can read the acknowledgements at the back for a keyword to google. I actually liked that it wasn't completely spelled out in the text, because that allows two interpretations of the plot. I first enjoyed a plot taken literally, then did a bit of homework reading and got a bonus plot for my consideration.
My only real complaint is that some loose ends weren't tied up. A few characters just kind of disappeared near the end, with their fates unspecified after the climactic scene. For a book where the tension centered so much about the fate of the community, it's a glaring omission when the narrative seems to forget about members of said community. We also never get an answer as to what cut the community off in the first place. I was personally okay with that one, but I can see it being a dealbreaker for some people. There is a sequel coming out this fall, Moon of the Turning Leaves, which might hold some answers.
Graphic: Cannibalism
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Alcohol
theliteraryhooker's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol and Animal death
silvae's review
- 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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Alcohol, Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Cannibalism, Animal death, Blood, Suicide, and Alcoholism
blacksphinx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, Alcohol, and Gun violence
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Suicide and Cannibalism
erkietheturkey's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Gun violence, Animal death, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Death, Blood, and Cursing
Minor: Colonisation, Alcohol, Addiction, Alcoholism, Grief, Racism, and Suicide
emilily's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
All around a great read.
Graphic: Death, Racism, Colonisation, and Gun violence
Moderate: Grief, Violence, Cannibalism, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcohol and Suicide
ruthypoo2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I was impressed at the realistic way in which the characters of the story assessed and responded to the changed world they found themselves suddenly living in. Unfortunately, the nature of man seems to be one of seek and divide and conquer, so it's no surprise when the story's Anishinaabe community find themselves confronted by non-reservation people who are looking for a new place to call home where they will have a chance to live full and productive lives. How the Anishinaabe respond is heart-warming but costly to the community.
The author, Waubgeshig Rice, expresses the many layers of the First Nation people. While all seem to have knowledge of the teachings of their ancestors and natural capabilities to survive in a world missing the usual comforts, not everyone has the sound mind and responsible work ethic their elders tried to instill in them from a young age. The cultural experiences and beliefs are beautiful and lovingly included within the narrative of the story. And their area also parallels between what's happened in the past when white settlers invaded First Nation lands and how this type of greed can replay in a world where boundaries have been blurred. It was a story that captured my interest from start to finish and I genuinely cared about everyone in this story.
I listed to the audiobook and very much enjoyed the clear dialect and reading of the narrator, Billy Merasty. At first, I wasn't sure if his voice suited me, but I quickly became accustomed to his sound and I normally listen on 1.75-2X speed, so that helped eliminate any drawing out of the spoken word that I might otherwise find a little off-putting. This is another example of when I really want to hear the pronunciation of words I'm not familiar with, and Mr. Merasty ably provided that for me.
Moderate: Animal death and Death
Minor: Grief, Gun violence, Alcohol, Violence, and Addiction
linneak's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Alcohol, and Gore
Minor: Cannibalism and Colonisation