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jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Violent, gripping, a perfect distraction from ordinary life, this story is about ex-cons and Aryan gangs and crooked cops and meth heads - and a little girl with a stuffed bear who’s her constant companion.
I tried to read Sherman Alexie’s Indian Killer but I had to quit early on. It’s about the misery and horror the white man unleashed on Native Americans. I switched to Harper’s book, a far more violent tale despite the former being about a serial killer, and found it much less upsetting because the violence didn’t feel real. It’s like a video game or a kung fu movie - entertaining but the literary equivalent of fluffy, bloody cotton candy. I absolutely loved it. (I know Indian Killer is excellent; I just couldn’t handle the traumatic realism.)
If you’re a fan of SA Cosby, check out Jordan Harper. You won’t be disappointed.
I tried to read Sherman Alexie’s Indian Killer but I had to quit early on. It’s about the misery and horror the white man unleashed on Native Americans. I switched to Harper’s book, a far more violent tale despite the former being about a serial killer, and found it much less upsetting because the violence didn’t feel real. It’s like a video game or a kung fu movie - entertaining but the literary equivalent of fluffy, bloody cotton candy. I absolutely loved it. (I know Indian Killer is excellent; I just couldn’t handle the traumatic realism.)
If you’re a fan of SA Cosby, check out Jordan Harper. You won’t be disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Police brutality, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
secre's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this up and found myself pleasantly surprised. This is a dark, gritty and yet strangely heart-warming tale of a girl and her father on the run from the hit that has been placed on their heads. The writing is sparse and yet haunting, the characters jump off the page and you can't help but root for them even when they cross the line from grey to black. I found myself transfixed.
I really was along for the ride here and really enjoyed my time with Polly and her father, Nate. It's bleak as hell at points, but it's also bittersweet and beautifully written. I loved Polly's interactions with her Bear and he becomes almost a character in his own right, which is testament to the writing.
All in all, this is an unusual and excellently written coming of age tale. It's a fantastic debut novel by the author and I'd be interested in writing other novels written by them.
I really was along for the ride here and really enjoyed my time with Polly and her father, Nate. It's bleak as hell at points, but it's also bittersweet and beautifully written. I loved Polly's interactions with her Bear and he becomes almost a character in his own right, which is testament to the writing.
All in all, this is an unusual and excellently written coming of age tale. It's a fantastic debut novel by the author and I'd be interested in writing other novels written by them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, and Drug use
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