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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I chose this book because of the Appalachian setting but the plot quickly had me reading page after page without putting the book down! I had no idea that a "Sin Eater" was an actual ritual (from many years ago) that people participated in and believed. Research it a little and you will be fascinated!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Pros: Historical details surrounding old cultural beliefs are very interesting. Nice descriptions of the Appalachian wilderness.
YMMV: Use of outdated terminology and practices (especially corporeal punishment) might be a bit cringe-inducing. Also, the entire book is written using phonetically spelled out accents, and while not as thick as, say, the sailors in Dracula, it can be confusing in places and might slow down some readers. (Seriously, it took me a good chapter to realize that "painter" was a reference to "panther", like a mountain lion.) Same goes for some of the wall of text preaching sections. This is also definitely Protestant Christian flavored religious fiction in a big way. Pretty slow to start, though the plot picks up in a big way around the halfway mark and becomes buckwild towards the end, so if you can make it through, it becomes more engaging later.
Cons:The way a major plot point hinges around the suffering/death of Native peoples is definitely the most questionable part of the book. It's basically mass fridging to further the development of the white characters. While the ending is ultimately hopeful, there's also just a lot of misery to slog through to get there, and one could argue it's a bit overblown (especially since so much of it is happening to a child).
YMMV: Use of outdated terminology and practices (especially corporeal punishment) might be a bit cringe-inducing. Also, the entire book is written using phonetically spelled out accents, and while not as thick as, say, the sailors in Dracula, it can be confusing in places and might slow down some readers. (Seriously, it took me a good chapter to realize that "painter" was a reference to "panther", like a mountain lion.) Same goes for some of the wall of text preaching sections. This is also definitely Protestant Christian flavored religious fiction in a big way. Pretty slow to start, though the plot picks up in a big way around the halfway mark and becomes buckwild towards the end, so if you can make it through, it becomes more engaging later.
Cons:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Murder, Colonisation
Moderate: Violence, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide
Colonization/Genocide/Hate Crime/Racism: A major plot point later in the book is the mass murder of the Native people who used to live in the valley, which is described.
(Child) Death/Grief/Suicidal Thoughts/Suicide Attempt/Mental Illness: The death of the MC's little sister is a major plot point, along with the emotional fallout and the self-blame that she and others in the family feel as a result.
Domestic/Emotional/Physical Abuse: Prevalent throughout in mention and depiction, including dated use of corporeal punishment and one character being just the Absolute Worst.
Incest: Brief mention of a daughter being assaulted by her father.
Rape/Sexual Assault: There's one incident where it's unclear if the act was consensual or not, but the sex WAS meant to "ruin" the woman in question, so not great regardless.
Suicide: Aside from the MC's suicidal thoughts/near-attempt, there's two other mentions of suicide (including one murder-suicide).
Other: Outdated terminology in relation to Native Americans and torches (yes, that word). Much of the MC's guilt is framed around religion, so additional CW for religious trauma. One instance of slut-shaming towards the end. Not exactly an adult-minor relationship but a boy (older, unsure of by how much but at least in his teens) announces he's in love with a girl when she's...ten?? And they get married when they're both adults, so IDK how to tag that one. Also, the valley is basically a cult by the events of the story.
I enjoyed this book.It was a good,clean book with a ton of scripture in it.
If it wasn't for the all "come to Jesus, be washed clean" nonsense, I would have rated this book better.
A little girl who carries a heavy weight on her shoulders, goes to the sin-eater to be cleared of the accidental death of her sister. There is a deep story here of secrets, lies, power, and the lengths people will go to maintain their 'power.' It's harsh and cruel. But it's overshadowed by an overplayed "prophet" who teaches children of Jesus and they our magically cured and are able to change everything. Problem!
Overcoming the past and forgiveness is a powerful story and this one is well written. But the "journey with Jesus" is hard to believe and swallow.
A little girl who carries a heavy weight on her shoulders, goes to the sin-eater to be cleared of the accidental death of her sister. There is a deep story here of secrets, lies, power, and the lengths people will go to maintain their 'power.' It's harsh and cruel. But it's overshadowed by an overplayed "prophet" who teaches children of Jesus and they our magically cured and are able to change everything. Problem!
Overcoming the past and forgiveness is a powerful story and this one is well written. But the "journey with Jesus" is hard to believe and swallow.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
when I grabbed it to read it, I guess I didn't realize the theme. the story just didn't hook me in