Reviews with content warning for Bullying - La chica salvaje

It took me a while to get into this book but about a quarter way through, it truly gripped me. I absolutely adored the world in which the book is set, and the author describes the marsh land and it’s biodiversity in such a gorgeous, detailed and magical way. I’m not usually the one to appreciate vivid scenery due to my aphantasia but Owens managed to create the world not only by visual descriptions but in a multisensory and emotional way which fully immersed me in the story. In addition, the book also had plenty other aspects that I appreciate, a strong character development, gripping plot and a diverse range of characters, intertwined with an educational twist. As an academic, I am astonished at the way Owens translated her academic background into a novel which further emphasises the importance of marshlands and communicates her life’s work further.

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confessionsofabibliophile's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

3 🌟 out of 5

This book.... okay, I had high hopes. So many good things were said about this book, and don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, I found myself very connected to Kya. I felt toward the end kind of protective of her like she was an actual person. Her heartaches were my heartaches, her anger, my anger, and so on. I found myself wanting to care for Kya and punch many people in the throat. I loved how Owen's was able to capture me in and connect me with her beautiful written words.

I found the character of Kya sad, fascinating, and intelligent beyond her years. Hated most of the male characters except two, really. Tate, a shrimpers son who saw Kya and not the Marsh girl. Jumpin' and his wife oh my God bless them. They made me cry, and I found myself wanting to fight those boys during the scene on the way to Jumpin's house. There were highs and lows, and let me tell you, Kya's life was filled with many lows. Yet she kept on showing us as the reader that she was worth more than being labelled the Marsh Girl. It has a message of not judging anyone by no matter the circumstances that they can be equal and deserve such.

This, however, was lost to me in the last portion of the book. I was so mad and felt like I was rickrolled by Owen's, and honestly, I still am. I like the book, but I HATED THE ENDING. Everything the book was about symbolically was LOST in the last few pages. Is it a good read? Yes, UNTIL THE END. Though you can be the judge.

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heartofhorrors's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

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reemoony's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

before anything else, fuck delia owens. now, this was genuinely the best book ive read this year. it sucked me in on the first page and kept me there. following kya from her childhood all the way to adulthood become my favorite activity for a week.

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