Reviews

We Run the Tides by Vendela Vida

maggiesasha's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this one. The ending was a bit unnecessary but it didn't ruin the magic that Vida gave to these characters.

I should note that this book is not for you if you are expecting a plot, especially a mystery about Maria Fabiola's disappearance. This is very much a slice of life story about growing up in 1980s San Francisco.

faithemt's review

3.0

Good book told from the perspective of a young teen girl.

Full review is here:
https://goldintheclouds-faith.blogspot.com/2021/08/2021-book-review-26-we-run-tides.html

brittbaeten's review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

chipie's review

fast-paced

3.0

jacyjean's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

allisonrae13's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jess_mango's review

4.0

Set in San Franciso of the 1980's, We Run the Tides is a coming of age story of a teenaged girl. Eulabee attends an expensive private girls school in the Sea Cliff area of San Francisco. There she and her charismatic best friend Maria Fabiola roam the streets and beaches of their neighborhood. One day while walking to school, the girls and their friends are approached by a man in a white car. They each come out of it telling a different story of what happened. This causes a rift between Eulabee and Maria Fabiola, and then Maria Fabiola disappears.

I really enjoyed this. From the nostalgia of the 80's, to Eulabee's desire to belong yet her drive to be honest. These were the glory days of being a kid...no distracting internet... the freedom to roam your world on your own. THE MUSIC! The story itself was tense yet touching. We see a teenage girl on the cusp of innocence vs adult awareness & responsibility. The story was a nice blend of coming of age and mystery.

What to listen to while reading...
Head Over Heels by The Go-Go's
Don't Stand So Close to Me by The Police
All Day and All of the Night by The Kinks
Love My Way by the Psychedelic Furs
Save a Prayer by Duran Duran
Let's Go Crazy by Prince
We are the Champions by Queen

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!

fbroom's review

5.0

I'm so glad I came across this book. It is rare to find a book set in San Francisco and that's what attracted me to the book first. It didn't matter anyway as I loved the story and couldn't put this down. It's a book about a 13-year old girl "Eulabee " who goes to a private school in the Sea Cliff neighborhood in SF. I love how Vendela Vida described the different activities the girls did. I loved reading about Eulabee's walk to school, places she hung out at like China Beach and Baker Beach. I didn't know where the book was going. It was definitely a thrilling adventure.

kdahlo's review

4.0

This was good! Great narrator, small story, but compelling. Nice structure and ending. A nice little bon bon sort of book. A little dark but that's to my taste.

katherinethegreat's review against another edition

4.25

Really beautiful characters and imagery!