Reviews

Melt by Ele Fountain

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bookish_fish's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense 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

4.0

thereadingwren's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

mat_tobin's review against another edition

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5.0

Yutu lives with his grandmother on the fringes of the Arctic tundra. He finds it difficult to fit into the community as does his grandmother who still values and believes in the old ways of her people. And something is happening to the landscape around them. It is shifting and receding at a dangerous rate and if changes are not made soon then a community and all their history could be lost. But why should Yutu care? He’s had enough of this place anyway.

Hundreds of miles south, Bea is having to adapt to a new school but with the same group of manipulative, bullying girls. Her father, who she adores, works for an oil company but is deeply secretive about his research. Soon, there are signs that all is not well with him and they both fly north to a station in the snow to be part of a meeting that will change everyone’s futures forever.

Together Bea and Yutu are thrown together into a dark plot in which the land is being manipulated for greed and wealth. Can they embrace aspects of their past and their cultures in order to overcome the mountings obstacles ahead?

Fountain is an excellent writer. Deeply invested in rich character and clever, interweaving plot threads, she marries pace with tension so well; I found myself gripped from the start. Melt carries a strong ecocritical message yet Fountain never speaks down to her readership and rather invites contemplation in this clever, gripping story.

oceanxbluess's review against another edition

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adventurous informative mysterious reflective

5.0

randombookswithmj's review against another edition

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5.0

Melt by Ele Fountain is one of my favourite books of 2023 so far. It is an engaging and thrilling middle-grade adventure story that seamlessly weaves together important themes such as climate change and its devastating effects on the Arctic region, the beauty and diversity of the Arctic landscape, and the power of human connection and resilience.

In this novel, we follow Yutu and Bea, two preteen children who happen upon each other in dire circumstance. Throughout the book, the author does an excellent job of presenting the Arctic region as a complex and diverse environment. From the stunning natural beauty of the Northern Lights to the unique wildlife that inhabit the area, this book paints a vivid image of the Arctic that goes beyond the white landscape we all envision

The novel also raises awareness about the many anthropogenic activities that are putting the Arctic habitat in danger, both from an ecological point of view and the human’s who call it home. Despite the heavy themes, Melt is a captivating adventure story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The plot is well-paced, and the characters are well-drawn.

One of my favourite aspects of the book is the lesson that things aren't always what they seem on the surface, and even adults you trust can misjudge a situation.

Overall, Melt is a perfect read for middle-grade readers who enjoy adventure novels. The book is informative, beautifully written, and hard to put down, making it an excellent choice for even reluctant readers. It also includes useful information about the lifestyles and climate issues facing people living in the Arctic region. Highly recommended!

Thank you to @netgalley and @pushkin_press for the opportunity to read and review this book.