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ramblereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Gore and Violence
Minor: Death and Death of parent
velsbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
When I started the book I was not sure what the whole story would be about. Following Elsa on her journey trying to save the land her children grew up on and also her family itself I was crossing my fingers page for page that soon rain would come and save their beloved home.
The characters are beautifully written, which makes them relatable even though I got angry at their decisions sometimes. When Elsa decided she has to go west with the kids my heart was heavy and I just hoped things would finally get better. The time in the camp was hard to read about because I just felt for those people. It was also heartwarming on the other hand, especially all the moments Elsa was spending with Jean. She seems like a wonderful person and I'm glad Elsa found such a strong and supportive friend during those hard times.
Loreda, Elsa's daughter, became a strong woman with an iron will. I loved seeing her grow. Especially the relationship with her mother. The work she does in the end together with her Mom and a family friend called Jack was so captivating I couldn't put my book down.
The end also completely destroyed me. I cried ugly tears but also tears of happiness and I'm so glad I picked this one up.
If you're looking for a story with a strong female lead, pick this one up.
Graphic: Gun violence, Death of parent, and Death
maddiet425's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual content, Death, Gun violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, Classism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
readbycarina's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Animal death, Classism, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Blood, Body shaming, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Kidnapping, Misogyny, and Police brutality
circe813's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Pregnancy, and Slavery
ciwanski's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I didn’t think, when I started reading/listening to the book, that I’d fall in love with the characters as much as I did but hoo boy I was sobbing for the last hour of listening.
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, Child death, and Police brutality
emmamcelderry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Violence
lillythebluepaladin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Okay… I really want to give this at least a 4,75🌟 review, but I really can’t. Had to take some stars away for the three n words in this book. That was very much uncalled for, and if that word is something that you really don’t want to read, or racism is something that you just don’t need in your life right now, then definitely skip this. Take care, a book is not worth your mental health❤️
This book and it’s journey is a HARD READ, long and hard and so challenging, but the ending was nice and satisfying. This book will make your throat dry!
Many negative reviews talks about how annoying they found Elsa’s lack of confidence and how much she found herself ugly, but they forget how easy it is to view yourself as an ugly and boring person worth nothing, when those are the opinions thrown upon you your entire life. I saw a lot of myself and my own traumas in Elsa’s attitude, and it made sense for her to only gain confidence and self worth when she did, which was sadly so late in her life. She did everything she could to be the best mother possible, and this book has even made me want to work on some of my own familial relationships, which I did not ask for omfg rude
Loreda’s transformation from an annoying brat of a preteen, to a young confident woman who wants to see change in the world, and who finally learns to love and appreciate her mother was a wonderful transformation, and I really started to love her in the second half of the entire thing. She was a wonderful big sister, and an awesome commie feminist.
So yeah, Kristin Hannah is a great writer.
But again, ma’am what the fuck, three n words?!
Graphic: Racism, Classism, Abandonment, Animal death, Death, Violence, Sexism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Gun violence
corriejn's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Graphic: Xenophobia, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Gun violence, Death of parent, Alcohol, Grief, Terminal illness, Blood, Chronic illness, Medical content, Violence, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Police brutality, Sexual content, Child death, and Death
Minor: Vomit
The audiobook version includes a really lovely short interview with the author and the narrator, that sheds interesting light on the process of writing the book and creating the characters, as well as the process of bringing the story to life via the audiobook narration.mimccub's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent, Bullying, and Death
Minor: Gun violence and Child death