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bibliobrandie's review
4.0
This was a great book club selection (and we ended up holding our meeting on an island, very fitting!). I enjoyed the story and the characters and loved all the historical research that went into the novel.
clamacchia's review
The writing bothered me. There would be a flow of dialogue, and then the author would take over and disrupt the flow to summarize what was being said for the next two pages instead of it just being dialogue between the characters.
Also the writing was very surface level and factual, I didn't feel connected or intrigued by it.
Also the random chapter breaks were not always obvious, leading to confusion. There were many times I thought I skipped a page because a section of a chapter ended so quickly and abruptly.
The only character story I was interested in as Mathinna’s and they don’t have much of her story as the focus. So it wasn’t worth reading it imo
Also the writing was very surface level and factual, I didn't feel connected or intrigued by it.
Also the random chapter breaks were not always obvious, leading to confusion. There were many times I thought I skipped a page because a section of a chapter ended so quickly and abruptly.
The only character story I was interested in as Mathinna’s and they don’t have much of her story as the focus. So it wasn’t worth reading it imo
margardenlady's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Fascinating story combining several aspects of the British colonialism in Australia. In one storyline we have an indigenous girl taken in and tokenized by a British family. And the main storyline follows women who were ‘transports’ from En G land into a penal colony in n Australia. I really cared about the characters and was glad to see stories resolved rather than left hanging.
jansbookcorner's review
4.0
Eye opening historical fiction covering a period of history that isn’t covered much. This was an interesting story told in a descriptive way that made me feel as if I were there.
tsukibunny68's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
amy_j18's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? No
4.5
carturnright's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
xenlinde's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jessica_artichoke's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Rape
Moderate: Alcohol, Colonisation, Grief, Alcoholism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Physical abuse, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Racial slurs, Child abuse, and Medical content
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Drug use
messydepressy's review
3.0
This book was, at times, very interesting to read. Other times, just too much description. I didn't like how neat and tidy the story finished at but overall, it was a good book.