Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - The Good Luck Girls

Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis

8 reviews

ghostlyprince's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional 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

4.0

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tigger89's review

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adventurous emotional 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

3.5

This was decent YA, blending an exploration of escape from slavery with a fantasy western setting. I liked how distinct the girls were, each bringing strengths and infuriating flaws to the team. The plot was somewhat more frustrating, alternating between the thrilling escape and scenes that stopped the narrative in its tracks while the characters work a heist. I get what Davis was going for with the western outlaw vibe, and there was in-universe justification for why they needed the money, but the bigger heists(thinking specifically of the one where they rob the bank) didn't really work for me in the flow of the plot.

My favorite thing about this book, other than the characters, was the ending. Without spoilers, I found it to be bittersweet, yes, but also empowering, though I understand why many readers might have been frustrated. While I'm reading this as a standalone, it is first in a duology, and I feel like where things left off works perfectly for either situation.

Something worth mentioning is that the point of view shifts abruptly after the first chapter. The opening is told from Clementine's point of view, but before they escape the narrative shifts to her sister Aster's head, where it remains for the rest of the story. I do understand why this was necessary, as we really did need to see the inciting incident happen rather than merely hear about it. It might not have stuck out so much if we'd had similar scenes from the other characters, or more scenes from Clementine's point of view, but as it was it felt strange.

Important question time: do the horses die?

To the best of my recollection, all the horses remain unharmed in the narrative, though they are loosed near the ending of the story.

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carolined314's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Escaping to freedom, in an action-packed series of events, learning one's own agency, choosing friendship, and so much more.

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eilidhmo's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional 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? No

3.5

Mixing a magical fantasy and western is such a great combo and I really enjoyed every time we got to see a little more about this world our characters live in. The growth of Aster as a main character was also great to see and her arc was very much an integral part of the story, if a bit predictable at times.

Stories about found family bonds, overcoming past traumatic experiences and fighting the system are always ones I enjoy, I just found that there was something missing for me personally with this one. I really wanted to love this book as it came so highly recommend to me by a friend but I just liked it. I definitely had to talk myself into picking it up and reading a couple chapters a few times but overall I enjoyed the story.

This world has so much potential and I hope more of it is explored in books to come as Davis is an extremely talented writer. If dark fantasy adventure, standing up for yourself and sisterhood are your jam, definitely give this book a read!

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kat_mayerovitch's review

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adventurous dark hopeful tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

I'm not normally into westerns (even fantasy westerns), but this book was a great read. There was a lot left unanswered (how are people's shadows removed? how exactly is race tied to debt?), but the story and character development itself made it worthwhile. I love the idea of escaped comfort women banding together to steal from their oppressors and help others in their situation, even if they fell into it half by accident. Like Robin Hood meets Thelma and Louise or something. Anyhow, this was a great start to a series!

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