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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
content warning: physical abuse, mental health treatment
Novel-In-Verse that you have to be open to formatting of because otherwise plot can be obscured by language used... could be a paired text for Legendborn/Bloodmarked in some ways
Novel-In-Verse that you have to be open to formatting of because otherwise plot can be obscured by language used... could be a paired text for Legendborn/Bloodmarked in some ways
I’m still recovering from this book. When I think about it I feel a mix of thoughts and emotions. Me (Moth) is about Moth, a high school girl trying to cope with the loss of her family in a tragic car accident. When she meets Sani, a boy visiting Virginia for the summer, they embark on an epic road trip to reconcile their pain, trauma, and loss together. Me (Moth) is all about coping with generational trauma and appreciating ancestral tradition. Rootwork or Hoodoo is a central aspect of novel. Sani is Navajo, and the novel also draws parallels between Navajo oral traditions and rootwork.
This book is heavy and evocative. Our main characters deal with really heavy stuff like death, mental illness, abuse, and trauma. Most of the book is spent discussing these things, and Moth and Sani have to wade through all of it to find some peace. There were moments when I was reading where I wish some of this heaviness was balanced with moments of joy and “carefreeness” that you’d expect from teenagers. It felt like they were in a constant state of pain and processing trauma; I just wanted them to find more small happinesses. I just wanted these characters to have some reprieve from the constant pain.
That’s my main critique of the novel but I still overall enjoyed it. I do think the ending was a little rushed, and I wish we got a little more time to see our characters at peace in their resolutions. However, Me (Moth) is so evocative that I even teared up at some parts. Amber McBride does a really good job of making you feel the emotional weight of the characters. The ending is what really changed my outlook on this novel. I was genuinely surprised but also sad, and I felt a little overwhelmed but the twist was well-done. I’ve already recommended this book to two people because I think they’ll really enjoy it. I really hope that Me (Moth) gets more attention because I think it could really impact some people!
This book is heavy and evocative. Our main characters deal with really heavy stuff like death, mental illness, abuse, and trauma. Most of the book is spent discussing these things, and Moth and Sani have to wade through all of it to find some peace. There were moments when I was reading where I wish some of this heaviness was balanced with moments of joy and “carefreeness” that you’d expect from teenagers. It felt like they were in a constant state of pain and processing trauma; I just wanted them to find more small happinesses. I just wanted these characters to have some reprieve from the constant pain.
That’s my main critique of the novel but I still overall enjoyed it. I do think the ending was a little rushed, and I wish we got a little more time to see our characters at peace in their resolutions. However, Me (Moth) is so evocative that I even teared up at some parts. Amber McBride does a really good job of making you feel the emotional weight of the characters. The ending is what really changed my outlook on this novel. I was genuinely surprised but also sad, and I felt a little overwhelmed but the twist was well-done. I’ve already recommended this book to two people because I think they’ll really enjoy it. I really hope that Me (Moth) gets more attention because I think it could really impact some people!
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Kelly: 5 stars
Jessica & Quandra: 4.75 stars
Chibuzo, Debra, Tracey: 4.5 stars
Shanti: 4 stars
Jessica & Quandra: 4.75 stars
Chibuzo, Debra, Tracey: 4.5 stars
Shanti: 4 stars
emotional
fast-paced
The writing in this verse novel was just stunning. Haunting, sparse and sad it has the feel of The Astonishing Color of After or We Are Okay, with characters coming to terms with their grief.
And that beautiful cover! Sigh.
And that beautiful cover! Sigh.
I loved the intersection between two backgrounds and showing the similarities. I was not ready for the ending, I normally see the patterns and can see something like it but I completely missed it and for that alone, I appreciated this book.
Nothing prepared me for this ending. This book is a thing of haunting wonder.
This story was written in an almost poetic way and the descriptions were unique and fresh. I, however, am not one for poetry or poetry-like books. I try and I try, but it is fruitless; it’s just not my genre.
I absolutely love the cover though!
I absolutely love the cover though!