Reviews with content warning for Racism - Moon of the Crusted Snow

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

71 reviews

culpeppper's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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? No

4.5

This was a truly unique book for me. I loved getting to know the setting, the family dynamics, and the community relationships in the beginning as dread slowly seeped in with the cold. I think a lot of authors don't use weather as a storytelling tool enough, and this story confirmed that I really appreciate when it's a core part of the story. I appreciated the main perspective of Evan, a devoted father, loving partner, and loyal community member who still had flaws and a personality beyond his relationships. The antagonist, or at least the physical embodiment of it, was foreboding from the moment it is introduced, and threats to the community as the cold presses in feel real; the stakes and tension rise slowly but the story doesn't drag. Instead, it drops in on important conversations and focuses on narrating plot or character moments for us rather than having us slog through every day on the rez.

While I don't mind Rice's telling and not showing for instances where we’re getting caught up to speed on certain things, sometimes the writing does feel more like it's telling us what the character is feeling rather than showing us what they're doing and having us decide what the character might be feeling. This wasn't so apparent if sentences were longer, but in the bits between dialogue we’re often told how characters react and what emotion that reaction comes from. Another gripe is the kids are basically pieces of furniture with names but I'm more surprised when I find a novel that does kids well. In general, there were a few characters and plot elements that could have been built more— at times, it felt hollow or, in the case of certain characters, unfinished. So if you're looking for a tight, no questions left unanswered this is not that kinda story. Me, I don't mind it enough to care too much.

There were a lot of beautiful moments interspersed between the hard and traumatic ones. The balance is maintained well, and it offers hope to readers when needed. While the pain characters felt was always there, it never felt overly traumatic or too much.

Overall, I really did enjoy reading this and got through it quick, and it was a really interesting premise and execution of this genre of story. I'm looking forward to becoming more familiar with Rice's other work!

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caitm23's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Absolutely incredible, one of the best books I have ever read. Couldn't put it down. Really excited to get to the sequel!

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vbarsi's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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? No

3.75

Easy read, well written, ends kind of how you would expect so thats why I gave a bit of a lower star rating

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j_richa's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
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

3.5

The slow building of tension throughout the book is easily it's strongest point, and

the decision not to elaborate on the cause of the apocalypse is a key part of that

. While I do feel like the community was very well described, too many of the characters felt one note for me to say the same of them. While I understand why the author would feel the need to elaborate on the roots of problems specific to the history of Indigenous exploitation, the commentary felt too much like exposition that would interrupt the voice of the character speaking fairly often, which could be rather jarring at times.

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kalaser's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

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lanayagraham's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

I don't think I'm the ideal audience for this book, so I don't know how to rate it fairly. It was very well written and interesting, however, it was slow moving for me- I like more character and relationship development. Although a relatively long span of time passes in the book, it's plot focused. I loved learning more about Anishinabek culture and rez life. I would read something else by this Idigenous Canadian author.

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kenmullo's review

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dark reflective sad slow-paced

Strong character development? No

3.0

This story was simple and quick to consume. Nevertheless, the messages reflective of colonialism, oppression, and resiliency are rich. I was left disappointed by the shallow plot & characters, not to mention weak character motivations. The climax and climactic scene felt bleak and rushed. Story points that seemed to be plot points were left disconnected and irrelevant. These points, if carried through, could have brought intensity and drama. However, I remained engaged in the story by Rice's refreshing apocalyptic take: omitting cause & reason, but highlighting realistic family dynamics & community collaboration. Although the epilogue felt like it "spoon-fed" readers too much, I appreciate the emphasis it placed on resiliency and strength at the end of the novel.

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