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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really wanted to like this book. But the pacing and the MC made it a DNF at 70%.
Despite the many maaaaany negative events that happen (), there are barely any moments when the MC emotionally reacts.
For example, we have a massive time-skip where she's fine and happy. Or even after the death of it leaves no impact on her. Why not have it haunt her more and confront that fear when she learns her sister's pregnant?
This happens a couple of times.
Even during the there's really not much of a reaction from her.
And she acts like a brat so many times. She has to get a job to earn her keep and despite warnings from people, she continues to act like a brat and (surprise!) she loses her job. She has to get apples and, when she doesn't want to pay full price for them, she acts out against the shopkeeper. I was rolling my eyes so many times at her responses.
Despite the many maaaaany negative events that happen (
Spoiler
stillborn, being sold to another family/life, illnesses, death, warFor example,
Spoiler
when she was sold to the other couple, instead of having chapters dedicated to her settling in to her new life, mourning the loss of her previous family/friends, learning to accept her new familySpoiler
her baby siblingThis happens a couple of times.
Even during the
Spoiler
death of her adoptive fatherAnd she acts like a brat so many times. She has to get a job to earn her keep and despite warnings from people, she continues to act like a brat and (surprise!) she loses her job. She has to get apples and, when she doesn't want to pay full price for them, she acts out against the shopkeeper. I was rolling my eyes so many times at her responses.
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
2025: based on a true story of a local lady in the 1920/1940’s and a nice run though of local places for nostalgias sake! Story of rags to riches and life in the circus!
Highlighting England’s poor and working class, as well as the life of traveling fair folk during the first half of the 20th century, the story is told through the eyes of our young narrator. Born into poverty as Ellen, sold at 6 years old to Julia and Harry Westrop of the fair and becoming Nellie, and later becoming her own woman, Queenie Read. The story, based on the real life of Queenie Read, it is one of coming of age through both hardship and love, self discovery, and the value of family, both born into and created.
I feel the story was a bit long winded. There were long stretches I feel that could have been shortened and other defining moments that I felt were rushed or omitted. That being said. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it as a young adult novel. The colorful vernacular and imagery were fun to read. I’d rate this 3.5 stars.
I feel the story was a bit long winded. There were long stretches I feel that could have been shortened and other defining moments that I felt were rushed or omitted. That being said. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it as a young adult novel. The colorful vernacular and imagery were fun to read. I’d rate this 3.5 stars.
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This is the sort of book that I will remember. Based on the life, or I should say lives, of Queenie Read. Wonderful.
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Gritty circumstances. Made me cry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Child death, Terminal illness, Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual assault