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sarmcp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Waub did it again, folks: just like last time, I could not put this book down for the life of me. I was so overcome with emotion by the end that I had to give in to a good cry - that kind of investment is no small feat for an author to achieve. If Moon of the Crusted Snow remains my favourite novel, this one is a close second.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Grief, Colonisation, Sexual harassment, Xenophobia, Gun violence, and Death
annemaries_shelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.5
4.5 stars
I loved the experience of reading this book - despite the constant stress and tension.
And hearing Rice talk about this book at the Ottawa Writer's Fest made the reading experience even more special as he discussed some of the themes of the book and the experience in writing it.
Despite the tension and stress of the unknown (and uh, scary encounters), it's ultimately a hopeful book about learning to reconnect with the land, live in a good way, and return to your cultural roots - spiritual and geographically.
Because most of the book follows our 6 walkers as they traverse Northern Ontario down to the Georgian Bay, the nature writing is a focal point. And Rice's nature writing was wonderful. I could so easily picture every landscape in my mind, and felt like I was walking alongside our characters (though thankfully I was not in the same danger they were). Nangohns was a delightful character to have as a POV - seeing her experiences as someone who's really only grown up post-event and also still maturing into an adult, was special. I felt like she was a guiding star for the rest of the characters and the plot.
I also think he did a great job showing through interpersonal interactions and character descriptions that the real sickness/cause of this apocalyptic event is white supremacy and the desire for power. Folks who live well, are respectful of the land and each other, and rely on community for support are happy, healthy, and hold good relationships. In comparison, white folks who are racist and mean, hell bent on power through murder, are clearly falling apart physically and spiritually. It's a stark and well-crafted contrast.
And that ending... it's what I expected and I sobbed through the last 5-10 pages. It's so sad but also hopeful. Sheer poetry.
Knowing that Evan managed to arrive in the lands of his ancestors where the birch trees grow, and experience it for such a short period of time before dying... that hurt my heart. He was a favourite character from the first book and seeing him achieve his goal of finding his family and community's ancestral and future home but not being able to live there with them... masterfully done story-wise.
If you read Moon of the Crusted Snow, I urge you to read the sequel - it's well worth it.
I loved the experience of reading this book - despite the constant stress and tension.
And hearing Rice talk about this book at the Ottawa Writer's Fest made the reading experience even more special as he discussed some of the themes of the book and the experience in writing it.
Despite the tension and stress of the unknown (and uh, scary encounters), it's ultimately a hopeful book about learning to reconnect with the land, live in a good way, and return to your cultural roots - spiritual and geographically.
Because most of the book follows our 6 walkers as they traverse Northern Ontario down to the Georgian Bay, the nature writing is a focal point. And Rice's nature writing was wonderful. I could so easily picture every landscape in my mind, and felt like I was walking alongside our characters (though thankfully I was not in the same danger they were). Nangohns was a delightful character to have as a POV - seeing her experiences as someone who's really only grown up post-event and also still maturing into an adult, was special. I felt like she was a guiding star for the rest of the characters and the plot.
I also think he did a great job showing through interpersonal interactions and character descriptions that the real sickness/cause of this apocalyptic event is white supremacy and the desire for power. Folks who live well, are respectful of the land and each other, and rely on community for support are happy, healthy, and hold good relationships. In comparison, white folks who are racist and mean, hell bent on power through murder, are clearly falling apart physically and spiritually. It's a stark and well-crafted contrast.
And that ending... it's what I expected and I sobbed through the last 5-10 pages. It's so sad but also hopeful. Sheer poetry.
If you read Moon of the Crusted Snow, I urge you to read the sequel - it's well worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicide and Grief
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