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linblythe_pub22's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Colonisation, Violence, Xenophobia, and Car accident
Minor: Blood
luly_sc's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I have been waiting to read this book since before it came out. I've been a fan of Darcie Little Badger's short stories, especially Nkásht íí, and knowing she was releasing a full novel with an aroace lead was a gift.
The world of Elatsoe is a very interesting urban fantasy type of setting which, much like other stories from her, are rooted in Lipan Apache culture. This story is a murder mystery of sorts, a coming-of-age, a fantasy adventure and a ghost story, all rolled into one and done marvelously.
One thing I LOVED about it was the absolute trust and support Ellie's parents give to her. It's so frequent to find stories with young characters (and older ones too) where parents don't believe, don't listen or look away, but Ellie's parents weren't only supporting from the start, they also take part on the adventure and are far from bystanders.
The friendship between Ellie and Jay is so refreshing to read, they have great platonic chemistry and all the side characters are so well constructed that they have a set personality very clearly, no matter how long they've been around for or how little.
Ellie being aroace is treated so well throughout the story and is stated in the text in a way in which I am incredibly grateful for.
Cultural aspects, folklore and the stifling presence of colonization and systematic exploitation are very present in the crafting of the narrative. I particularly loved the way it introduced the relationship of original peoples - outsiders in a way that is a core part of the identity of the story and moves (pun intended, if you get there you'll know) the mystery along. It isn't an accessory, it's ingrained in the development of the plot and in the situation of the characters in more ways than one.
I particularly loved the illustration aspect of the book because it's less like an illustrated novel and more like a picture book: the illustrations tell a parallel story, another character's story, snippets of which we get here and there in text but which we can only fully grasp through the illustrations, and the ending illustration made me pretty much tear up, absolute stunning work by Rovina Cai.
The only thing I can criticize is the dialogue, in some places. I feel like it sometimes felt a bit forced and didn't quite fit the mood of the scene. It was somewhat disruptive at times because the prose is very well crafted. It didn't take me out from it entirely but there were segments in which the things they said, especially between Ellie and Jay in the middle of Complicated Situations, felt not as natural as I would have wanted.
All in all, this book was 100% worth the wait (for me) and I'm so happy I could finally read it. Absolute gem from Dracie Little Badger, as expected.
The world of Elatsoe is a very interesting urban fantasy type of setting which, much like other stories from her, are rooted in Lipan Apache culture. This story is a murder mystery of sorts, a coming-of-age, a fantasy adventure and a ghost story, all rolled into one and done marvelously.
One thing I LOVED about it was the absolute trust and support Ellie's parents give to her. It's so frequent to find stories with young characters (and older ones too) where parents don't believe, don't listen or look away, but Ellie's parents weren't only supporting from the start, they also take part on the adventure and are far from bystanders.
The friendship between Ellie and Jay is so refreshing to read, they have great platonic chemistry and all the side characters are so well constructed that they have a set personality very clearly, no matter how long they've been around for or how little.
Ellie being aroace is treated so well throughout the story and is stated in the text in a way in which I am incredibly grateful for.
Cultural aspects, folklore and the stifling presence of colonization and systematic exploitation are very present in the crafting of the narrative. I particularly loved the way it introduced the relationship of original peoples - outsiders in a way that is a core part of the identity of the story and moves (pun intended, if you get there you'll know) the mystery along. It isn't an accessory, it's ingrained in the development of the plot and in the situation of the characters in more ways than one.
I particularly loved the illustration aspect of the book because it's less like an illustrated novel and more like a picture book: the illustrations tell a parallel story, another character's story, snippets of which we get here and there in text but which we can only fully grasp through the illustrations, and the ending illustration made me pretty much tear up, absolute stunning work by Rovina Cai.
The only thing I can criticize is the dialogue, in some places. I feel like it sometimes felt a bit forced and didn't quite fit the mood of the scene. It was somewhat disruptive at times because the prose is very well crafted. It didn't take me out from it entirely but there were segments in which the things they said, especially between Ellie and Jay in the middle of Complicated Situations, felt not as natural as I would have wanted.
All in all, this book was 100% worth the wait (for me) and I'm so happy I could finally read it. Absolute gem from Dracie Little Badger, as expected.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death, Animal death, and Racism
wickedgrumpy's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The magical realism involving ghosts lent a dreamy quality to this book. I’d love to read more about this world.
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking, Violence, Bullying, Death of parent, Murder, Xenophobia, Animal death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Body horror, Trafficking, Medical content, Abandonment, Classism, Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Car accident, Deadnaming, Gore, Grief, and Hate crime
cassielaj's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Wow. What an incredible story. Ellie is a fierce protagonist, and the rest of her family and friends make up a great cast. I loved Kirby and the idea that pets continue to be companions after death 🥹 The mystery plot was super intriguing, and it was resolved well. I worried that the magic added to a familiar setting would be too much or confusing, but I think it was balanced well. And the art of the chapter headers… it took me a second to catch on, but i loved how Six-Great’s story paralleled Ellie and Kirby’s. SO COOL.
P.S. Hooray for an explicitly asexual protagonist! Especially in a non-romance story
P.S. Hooray for an explicitly asexual protagonist! Especially in a non-romance story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Car accident, Grief, Gore, Violence, Death, and Racism
Minor: Animal death and Kidnapping
gothnailcare's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Racism, Xenophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Car accident, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol, Gaslighting, and Colonisation
cj13's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Violence
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, Gore, Blood, and Xenophobia
Minor: Alcohol, Car accident, and Genocide
chronicacademia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Grief, Car accident, Medical content, Murder, Colonisation, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Animal death
chelsaat's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
A rural fantasy/mystery set in a version of Texas where magic, myths, and monsters are real. The main character, Elatsoe, is Lipan Apache and uses her abilities to raise ghost animals to help her family. The worldbuilding in this book was really creative and I loved how it weaved together different mythologies and stories. I also really appreciated how Ellie worked with her parents and respected her elders, but wasn’t afraid to be brave and take risks when necessary.
My main qualm was that the 17-year-old kids spoke more like 12-year-old kids, so at times the writing felt pretty middle grade. The ending also had some plot holes that left me with questions...I wish there had been an extra chapter to flesh it out a bit more.
My main qualm was that the 17-year-old kids spoke more like 12-year-old kids, so at times the writing felt pretty middle grade. The ending also had some plot holes that left me with questions...I wish there had been an extra chapter to flesh it out a bit more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Xenophobia, and Racism
katrinarose's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
This was such a fun urban fantasy! It felt like right between middle grade and YA, it never got too dark and the main characters were so wholesome. I really liked the elements of Lipan spirituality that were incorporated into the fantasy world, and the Lipan Apache representation (own voice) was awesome to see in a fantasy. The plot was engaging and mostly unpredictable, although my least favorite part of the book was the “final boss” sequence at the mansion/party because it felt a little rushed and predictable. Overall I enjoyed this book a lot and would recommend to all ages if you’re looking for a quick lighthearted fantasy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence, Kidnapping, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Xenophobia, and Genocide
123urmom's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Very good book! A bit slow paced but makes up for it with good characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Genocide, Racism, and Xenophobia