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bshgarcia's review
5.0
What a beautiful, sweet story of a woman processing grief.
Tina is a young woman who's just lost her husband in a car accident. She's coping with the loss by not fully processing what happened, and is on a variety of pain killers and antidepressants. She eventually starts having dreams that turn out to be more than her subconscious playing at night. Ultimately, she's faced with the world of what could be versus the one that is.
Overall, this book is a fast read, touches on heavy subjects in a refreshing and hopeful way, and models countless healthy relationships. That main character, Tina, is super relatable, and everyone in her life just makes you jealous that they aren't your real life friends. At times this book can err on the introspective side and has some slower moments, but they are all reflective of the story's overall them and purpose. The book ended happily resolved with a promise of more to come. This was an endearing read and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to process heavier issues in a healthy and positive framework.
Tina is a young woman who's just lost her husband in a car accident. She's coping with the loss by not fully processing what happened, and is on a variety of pain killers and antidepressants. She eventually starts having dreams that turn out to be more than her subconscious playing at night. Ultimately, she's faced with the world of what could be versus the one that is.
Overall, this book is a fast read, touches on heavy subjects in a refreshing and hopeful way, and models countless healthy relationships. That main character, Tina, is super relatable, and everyone in her life just makes you jealous that they aren't your real life friends. At times this book can err on the introspective side and has some slower moments, but they are all reflective of the story's overall them and purpose. The book ended happily resolved with a promise of more to come. This was an endearing read and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to process heavier issues in a healthy and positive framework.
katkinney's review
5.0
I really enjoyed FOLLOW THE HUMMINGBIRD, a fantasy novel where Tina, a grieving widow, discovers that aspects of her dreams have the power to come true. The writing does an excellent job of slowly drawing you into Tina’s reality through her friends’ concern over her mental state. I liked Natalie and Mike both as side characters, and also Alice, a pivotal character who we meet a bit later. We soon learn that the migraines and blackouts may have another cause and that some things Tina experiences while asleep seem to follow her into wakefulness. I loved the hummingbird connection and the sense of mystery. Tina through Alice soon learns the extent of her abilities to travel between worlds, and all the danger and beauty and possibility that will mean. Can I please have a giant tangerine nut eating squirrel, lol? This also means possibilities for the way she may be able to shape past events, and I loved the way this raised complicated questions. I loved the way the novel ended and am excited for book two! 5/5 stars.
azaykova's review
5.0
Cosy, magical and hopeful read.
Tina is grieving the death of her husband and starts having strange dreams that lead to stranger things happening in reality. Despite the dark topic, the book is actually full of light. Tina is super relatable and I laughed out loud at some of the banter she had with her friends.
Elena did a great job at capturing the strange atmosphere of dreams and of being in a dream. She mixed small details of everyday life with magical events seamlessly, making it feel real, like it could all happen to you.
The plot is original and takes some unexpected turns, which kept me interested. I’m glad there will be a next book, because when I got to the end I wanted more.
Also, that cover is gorgeous!
Tina is grieving the death of her husband and starts having strange dreams that lead to stranger things happening in reality. Despite the dark topic, the book is actually full of light. Tina is super relatable and I laughed out loud at some of the banter she had with her friends.
Elena did a great job at capturing the strange atmosphere of dreams and of being in a dream. She mixed small details of everyday life with magical events seamlessly, making it feel real, like it could all happen to you.
The plot is original and takes some unexpected turns, which kept me interested. I’m glad there will be a next book, because when I got to the end I wanted more.
Also, that cover is gorgeous!
julie_embleton's review
3.0
Elena Carter’s debut novel tells the story of Tina, a young woman mired in grief who finds unexpected worlds in her dreams. At first she’s confused, and ready to write the dreams off as nonsense, but when she meets Alice, Tina discovers there’s far more to her night-time adventures.
As a study on grief, the author presents the reality of life after death with sensitivity in this tale. Tina continues to struggle with bouts of depression, worrying her friends when she hides out at home for days at a time, unable to work and cutting off communication. But once Tina meets Alice, the truth behind her dreams begins to unfold, and she too slowly emerges from the fog of her loss.
I’m personally not a huge fan of dream sequences, and perhaps because of this, the plot dragged in places for me. I have to admit I ended up skimming the passages where Tina’s dreams were interpreted by Alice as they didn’t hold my attention. I felt Tina wasn’t challenged enough; she dreamt, then had Alice to explain everything, and while I understand the Master/Student setting was a way for the author to reveal the magic behind Tina’s dreams, I didn’t enjoy it as a vehicle to demystify the world-building. I also felt Tina’s friends were too quick to believe her strange experiences. Again, a challenge would have forced the protagonist's hand and added more to the story.
There’s no doubt Carter has a rich imagination. There’s a dreamy, ethereal feel to this book, ideal for readers who enjoy mystical pursuits. Hope abounds in Follow the Hummingbird; an important message when the story revolves around grief. The ending was satisfying, and the author has created such a fantastic world, it left me wondering will Tina return in a sequel. Packed with symbolism, this otherworldly tale reminds us of the power of unwavering faith, even when it seems all is lost.
As a study on grief, the author presents the reality of life after death with sensitivity in this tale. Tina continues to struggle with bouts of depression, worrying her friends when she hides out at home for days at a time, unable to work and cutting off communication. But once Tina meets Alice, the truth behind her dreams begins to unfold, and she too slowly emerges from the fog of her loss.
I’m personally not a huge fan of dream sequences, and perhaps because of this, the plot dragged in places for me. I have to admit I ended up skimming the passages where Tina’s dreams were interpreted by Alice as they didn’t hold my attention. I felt Tina wasn’t challenged enough; she dreamt, then had Alice to explain everything, and while I understand the Master/Student setting was a way for the author to reveal the magic behind Tina’s dreams, I didn’t enjoy it as a vehicle to demystify the world-building. I also felt Tina’s friends were too quick to believe her strange experiences. Again, a challenge would have forced the protagonist's hand and added more to the story.
There’s no doubt Carter has a rich imagination. There’s a dreamy, ethereal feel to this book, ideal for readers who enjoy mystical pursuits. Hope abounds in Follow the Hummingbird; an important message when the story revolves around grief. The ending was satisfying, and the author has created such a fantastic world, it left me wondering will Tina return in a sequel. Packed with symbolism, this otherworldly tale reminds us of the power of unwavering faith, even when it seems all is lost.
whereismychapstick's review
challenging
sad
slow-paced
3.0
“…because pain is a cunning bitch, hiding in a dark corner and waiting for the right moment to come out.”
Ummm… What? Tina is grieving the loss of her husband. Understandable. Why, though, have her friend’s Natalie and Mike not stepped in and done something besides allow her to want to spend more time in these sleeping worlds so she can try and see her dead husband? Red flags are going off everywhere yet no one seems to care enough to help her the way she needs it.
Those freaking worlds. So much talking about her dream worlds. She is told repeatedly they are dangerous, hard to navigate, and she needs to try harder to understand them or she could die in them. Yet Tina wants to spend as much time as possible there. Why is no one trying to talk sense into her? Why are they allowing her to sleep for extended periods of time so she can stay in her dream worlds?
The storyline of Tina and Natalie, Tina and Mike, and even Tina and Kate are interesting. Why couldn’t the story be how the three of them pulled together and helped Tina out of a hard time? That would be a good story. That would be something that made me feel for Tina instead of wanting to drag her to a hospital for mental health help.
booksmakemyheartgofast's review
1.0
This book was quite… something. I didn’t understand the plot (if there even was one), i also felt like the side characters were way too unrealistically supportive and gullible. So i kinda just skimmed through when i reached 50%, skipping whole pages a lot.
I think the main reason this book didn’t click with me, is because i don’t believe in dreams, crystals and other witchy-things that are making a comeback. (I know this book is supposed to be fiction, but because of the world being so close to ours’, the fiction bubble broke for me.) Though if one is interested in the witchy sort of vibe, they might enjoy it.
I think the main reason this book didn’t click with me, is because i don’t believe in dreams, crystals and other witchy-things that are making a comeback. (I know this book is supposed to be fiction, but because of the world being so close to ours’, the fiction bubble broke for me.) Though if one is interested in the witchy sort of vibe, they might enjoy it.
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