Scan barcode
yomireads's review
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Wonderful. Spectacular. Moving. Elatsoe is a gorgeous story focusing on a Native American girl with the ability to summon ghosts. This blends indigenous legend and storytelling with the cultural stories of others and creates a thrilling, immersive world where anything is possible.
There is a strong statement in this story about the displacement of indigenous peoples in a colonized world, but never loses the fantastical magic of the story. The ghosts were surprisingly fresh, the representation was top-tier, and the resolution was so satisfying without dampening the stakes.
There is a strong statement in this story about the displacement of indigenous peoples in a colonized world, but never loses the fantastical magic of the story. The ghosts were surprisingly fresh, the representation was top-tier, and the resolution was so satisfying without dampening the stakes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Violence, and Car accident
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Pedophilia and Racism
cowardthedog18's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There had to be more; And boy the drawing at the end of the book is the best part. The best parting gift knowing your grandparents will always watch over you. I’m reading A Snake Falls To Earth now. Hope it meets my expectations just as this one did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Religious bigotry, Cursing, Body horror, Blood, Death of parent, Gun violence, Death, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, Racism, Genocide, and Gore
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
pointeshoebookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
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? N/A
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Grief
Moderate: Death, Murder, and Colonisation
Minor: Animal death
kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-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
3.75
3.75 rounded up!
This was one of those books that felt like middle grade plot wise; everything was extremely easy and nearly conflictless
That being said, the world building was super cool, and I loved that Ellie’s parents protected and supported her, without being overbearing or overly nice. they made sure that she had room to do her thing, but we’re always there as safety and backup
Lol at the burly bridesmaids
This was one of those books that felt like middle grade plot wise; everything was extremely easy and nearly conflictless
That being said, the world building was super cool, and I loved that Ellie’s parents protected and supported her, without being overbearing or overly nice. they made sure that she had room to do her thing, but we’re always there as safety and backup
Lol at the burly bridesmaids
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, Racism, and Murder
whimsykat's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, and Death
wends_nblw's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I will say. I went into this blind, and was expecting something a lot more compelling.
This book is okay; it's fine. Nothing I would rave about, but something I would casually recommend.
I'm not sure if it's just me, but this felt like a middle school read rather than young adult? I don't know why, but I keep imagining the MC as like.. 12-14 years old. (Actually, I think this book could've been better if it had been a MG haha!)
I was a huge fan of the concept, but not the plot. I don't care about vampires or cults or anything else. I wanted so bad to read more about Elatsoe's gift and the Lipan Apaches. I found it so much more interesting than the murder mystery that was happening in the foreground.
However, I'm always rooting for representation as an asexual native myself LOL !
Would def recommend to a younger audience. Nice little murder mystery with fantasy elements.
This book is okay; it's fine. Nothing I would rave about, but something I would casually recommend.
I'm not sure if it's just me, but this felt like a middle school read rather than young adult? I don't know why, but I keep imagining the MC as like.. 12-14 years old. (Actually, I think this book could've been better if it had been a MG haha!)
I was a huge fan of the concept, but not the plot. I don't care about vampires or cults or anything else. I wanted so bad to read more about Elatsoe's gift and the Lipan Apaches. I found it so much more interesting than the murder mystery that was happening in the foreground.
However, I'm always rooting for representation as an asexual native myself LOL !
Would def recommend to a younger audience. Nice little murder mystery with fantasy elements.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, Murder, Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Gun violence, Animal death, Racism, and Colonisation
Minor: Kidnapping and Genocide
razzberry_pi's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Amazing story weaving mystery, ghosts, animals, and magic into a world of ancestral traditions of magic. Shows the use of magic for both good and evil and how it could be used to mirror inequalities that exist in our world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Car accident, and Colonisation
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, and Violence
throwback682's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A murder mystery + ghosts and wizards, with a Lipan Apache protagonist who is canon asexual (and I suspect aromantic) and a boy cheerleader sidekick who is shown having both a(n ex) girlfriend, and a YouTube channel where he teaches tumbling and dance moves.
There are also passing references to other queer characters that feel normalizing, not tokenizing. (One of the characters, whose life has been irreparably altered, ends the book by moving in with friends - a married couple of women.)
The first half of the book is much slower, the second half is much more action packed. If you’re struggling with the slower start, I’d encourage you to hang in there.
This book blends together a little bit of everything. The good guys: an indigenous girl with a strong talent for ancestral magic, a fae boy who travels through fairy rings and his psychic aunt, a vampire who is disliked by his future in-laws, a ghost dog, and a ghost mammoth, among others. The bad guys? A rich “miracle working” doctor (actually an evil wizard), an indigenous vampire, colonizers, and… Teddy Roosevelt?! I love it.
I feel like I could ramble on about this book forever. It has so much good stuff about it and it was exciting and enjoyable. I would especially recommend for young girls (who are old enough for monsters and violence). Ellie is a great role model.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Classism, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Gaslighting, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Sexual violence
vercopaanir's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
Amazing world-building and a really neat story! The ending felt a little rushed and there were a couple plot holes in the last 100 or so pages that didn’t seem to get answered/resolved, but overall really good writing and a unique story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Animal death, Racism, Colonisation, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, Blood, and Hate crime
Minor: Cursing and Injury/Injury detail
The racism in this book is experienced by the main character and her ancestors and called out by the main character. It’s not a racist book, it’s simply sharing the lived experience of Native Americans in an urban fantasy setting.