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elh1985's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
0.5
Wow this book took me on a roller coaster of emotions. Maya has moved ro the Artic with her boyfriend Ryan. Stricken with Anxiety and little knowledge of her past in India. The more Indian food she eats she gets flashes of memories. Most if her mum whome she was told died in a car crash..... not revealing anymore as would be a spoiler. I had so much hope and confidence that Maya would find what she needed along the way. And boy! She did just that. Great book Dani Redd!
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Grief, Suicide, and Sexual assault
chalkletters's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I picked up The Arctic Curry Club because my dad’s street has a ‘curry club’ and I was amused by the coincidence. From the blurb, I wasn’t entirely sure what kind of book I would be getting, or whether I would like it, but the snowy arctic setting of Longyearbyen in Norway made it seem like an appropriately wintery read for this time of year.
It took some time for me to get invested in Maya. At first, her negativity created a barrier, making it difficult to sympathise with the hardships she was going through. The sudden journey to India, taking us away from the main plot and into a family mystery subplot that I could probably have done without was also pretty jarring.
But then Maya returned to the arctic and her life started to change in really compelling ways. I love character development, and Maya’s really kicked off around this point. Suddenly, I was reading chapter after chapter, ignoring my page goal for the day to keep uncovering Maya’s story. Dani Redd continued to include the history subplot, which never fully engaged my interest, but it did tie up with the main plot at the end in a way I could appreciate.
I thought about sending this to my dad, purely because of the coincidence with the name, but in the end I decided it wasn’t really his kind of book. Besides, I wasn’t willing to part with it, which is surely an indication of just how Dani Redd managed to turn things around.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Minor: Addiction, Car accident, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Suicide
asourceoffiction's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
On the face of it this doesn't sound like a concept that would work - a curry club in the midst of semi-permanent arctic night?! But much like a decent curry, it merges these distinct flavours into something new and incredibly palatable. And yes, all of my posts contain this level of witty repartee, thanks for asking.
Maya's anxiety is a huge part of the story, and the struggle she faces when it threatens to overwhelm her felt really authentic. I also liked the lists peppered through the book as a source of calm, it connected me to Maya's character.
I particularly loved the end; one of the things I often struggle with in cosy books like this is having everything neatly tied up at the conclusion, which just doesn't feel authentic. But there's none of that here; there are resolutions but everything and everyone is still very much a work in progress, and it's not all clean cut and predictable.
Warning though: do not read this book without quick access to curry in your house! I had serious food envy and loved experiencing Maya's cooking with her.
Maya's anxiety is a huge part of the story, and the struggle she faces when it threatens to overwhelm her felt really authentic. I also liked the lists peppered through the book as a source of calm, it connected me to Maya's character.
I particularly loved the end; one of the things I often struggle with in cosy books like this is having everything neatly tied up at the conclusion, which just doesn't feel authentic. But there's none of that here; there are resolutions but everything and everyone is still very much a work in progress, and it's not all clean cut and predictable.
Warning though: do not read this book without quick access to curry in your house! I had serious food envy and loved experiencing Maya's cooking with her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use and Suicide
tigerlilliereads's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.75
I revived this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
Going to be honest the title drew me to this book straight away, plus the front cover gave me all the wintery vibes I love.
I didn’t know what I was getting in for with this book but I very quickly fell in love. The story is really gripping and transports you completely into the setting and landscapes featured in the book. I don’t think I wanted to put it down! The characters are realistic and relatable with the story and characters constantly developing.
The book focus on Naya who has just moved to the Artic due to her boyfriend, Ryan, doing some work studying Polar Bears. But despite the beauty that the setting holds, it’s winter and dark 24/7 with blizzards and bitterly cold weather. With her boyfriend working all the time she begins to struggle and starts to feel lost.
The story does cover some really heavy topics, but it does so well. I loved the cooking element and how the writer describes the food, the main character creates, with such passion and creativity. The fusion and stark contrast between India and the Artic are such an asset to the story and vital in the development of our main character. The characters are so loveable… apart from one but you will know who I mean you read it…
I enjoyed this ever so much, I am almost sad that it’s over as I was completely transported into the story line and environments!
Such a fantastic story!
Going to be honest the title drew me to this book straight away, plus the front cover gave me all the wintery vibes I love.
I didn’t know what I was getting in for with this book but I very quickly fell in love. The story is really gripping and transports you completely into the setting and landscapes featured in the book. I don’t think I wanted to put it down! The characters are realistic and relatable with the story and characters constantly developing.
The book focus on Naya who has just moved to the Artic due to her boyfriend, Ryan, doing some work studying Polar Bears. But despite the beauty that the setting holds, it’s winter and dark 24/7 with blizzards and bitterly cold weather. With her boyfriend working all the time she begins to struggle and starts to feel lost.
The story does cover some really heavy topics, but it does so well. I loved the cooking element and how the writer describes the food, the main character creates, with such passion and creativity. The fusion and stark contrast between India and the Artic are such an asset to the story and vital in the development of our main character. The characters are so loveable… apart from one but you will know who I mean you read it…
I enjoyed this ever so much, I am almost sad that it’s over as I was completely transported into the story line and environments!
Such a fantastic story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Confinement, Drug use, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide
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