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booplesnoot_'s review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I would read 20 more books from the perspective of Rita Todacheene
I will say that I wasn’t as interested in the crime aspects of the story as I wanted to be when it kicked in full gear 2/3 of the way in. This also doesn’t help with the intensity of the revelations that come towards the end when we find out who’s involved and who’s doing what. I was more interested in exploring Rita as a character and learning about her past, and all her stories of when she was dealing with ghosts. But the whole book deserves praise for everything everything else. Two timelines are well balanced. It has a wonderful cast of characters (although, Philip would’ve gotten a punch in the face from me if he tried to give me drugs without my consent lol). On that note actually, I felt like Shanice and Philip kind of just showed up out of nowhere, even though we see Shanice in the past timeline, but they kind of just show up as if they have been there the whole time and the story doesn’t really do much to justify them being there. But this is a small nitpicky thing. Like I said, 20 more books. I am Diné as well, so I may be a little bit biased seeing some of my culture represented, but I don’t care, it’s still a good book
I will say that I wasn’t as interested in the crime aspects of the story as I wanted to be when it kicked in full gear 2/3 of the way in. This also doesn’t help with the intensity of the revelations that come towards the end when we find out who’s involved and who’s doing what. I was more interested in exploring Rita as a character and learning about her past, and all her stories of when she was dealing with ghosts. But the whole book deserves praise for everything everything else. Two timelines are well balanced. It has a wonderful cast of characters (although, Philip would’ve gotten a punch in the face from me if he tried to give me drugs without my consent lol). On that note actually, I felt like Shanice and Philip kind of just showed up out of nowhere, even though we see Shanice in the past timeline, but they kind of just show up as if they have been there the whole time and the story doesn’t really do much to justify them being there. But this is a small nitpicky thing. Like I said, 20 more books. I am Diné as well, so I may be a little bit biased seeing some of my culture represented, but I don’t care, it’s still a good book
amandaformby's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
kswartz's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
reaperreads's review
4.0
I loved this novel so much! It marries mystery with horror very well, making it a helluva page turner even with the jumping back and forth between Rita's youth and her present situation.
The promise of the mystery made me think that more of the present intrigue would have been sprinkled throughout the story; because of this, the ending wound up feeling a bit rushed to me even though it was still satisfying. Don't let that stop you from picking this one up, though--it succeeds as a horror because I wanted to see Rita overcome what was haunting her and literally recoiled when the ghosts would get too close and, at times, too sinister. And the exploration of familial love in this novel was so heartwarming that I wondered what my life would have been like had I gotten to know my grandmother better. That's all I will say without spoiling anything!
The promise of the mystery made me think that more of the present intrigue would have been sprinkled throughout the story; because of this, the ending wound up feeling a bit rushed to me even though it was still satisfying. Don't let that stop you from picking this one up, though--it succeeds as a horror because I wanted to see Rita overcome what was haunting her and literally recoiled when the ghosts would get too close and, at times, too sinister. And the exploration of familial love in this novel was so heartwarming that I wondered what my life would have been like had I gotten to know my grandmother better. That's all I will say without spoiling anything!
shksprsis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
mistymountainreads's review against another edition
5.0
"Grandma always said to me that you never do things for people to get something in return. That is the white man's way of living. You do it because they need you. You do it because if you don't, no one else will."
taygram's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
leweylibrary's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
It only gets points for the kind of fun setting and indigenous rep, sorry 🤷♀️ otherwise I kinda hated it lol.
I did not enjoy reading it, I had to force myself to finish it for a book club, and I had sooo many issues with it that completely took me out of the story. Like her awful friends wtf??? They were horrible and I really hope they weren't inspired by the author's real friends lol. What kind of friends automatically ask if you've murdered someone or destroyed your own apartment?? I wanted to like the supernatural element, and it was one of the few things keeping me interested, but there could've been so much more done with it. I felt like a lot of the conversations, situations, and relationships just made no sense. I truly don't know how this was long listed for the National Book Prize. Like how.
I did not enjoy reading it, I had to force myself to finish it for a book club, and I had sooo many issues with it that completely took me out of the story. Like her awful friends wtf??? They were horrible and I really hope they weren't inspired by the author's real friends lol. What kind of friends automatically ask if you've murdered someone or destroyed your own apartment?? I wanted to like the supernatural element, and it was one of the few things keeping me interested, but there could've been so much more done with it. I felt like a lot of the conversations, situations, and relationships just made no sense. I truly don't know how this was long listed for the National Book Prize. Like how.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Gore, Gaslighting, Death, Grief, Blood, Murder, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Colonisation, and Racism
Minor: Pedophilia, Medical content, and Sexual harassment
lala_tour's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Something about this novel left me feeling unsatisfied. The writing was good, the concept was great, but I feel like the author pulled back from the horror. I think the protagonist felt somewhat removed from the action and unable to deliver deep into her feelings, which made this reader feel disconnected as well.
I think what would have helped me connect would be hearing more about the Navajo perspective of death. It is alluded to but never really delved into in a meaningful way. Without that piece, that clearly makes Nina a person who straddles two cultures and two worlds, I think the concept of her seeing ghosts falls a bit short.
I also felt like the author pulled her punches when it came to the horror. Sure there were some disgusting mutilated bodies, but the horror and dread of having to see the dead but not acknowledge them seemed more fertile ground. (There was the one scene in the hospital that was terrifying... Where the unseen ghosts were gripping her and would let go...)
Overall, I felt more terrified by the crooked cop. Maybe that was on purpose?
I think what would have helped me connect would be hearing more about the Navajo perspective of death. It is alluded to but never really delved into in a meaningful way. Without that piece, that clearly makes Nina a person who straddles two cultures and two worlds, I think the concept of her seeing ghosts falls a bit short.
I also felt like the author pulled her punches when it came to the horror. Sure there were some disgusting mutilated bodies, but the horror and dread of having to see the dead but not acknowledge them seemed more fertile ground. (There was the one scene in the hospital that was terrifying... Where the unseen ghosts were gripping her and would let go...)
Overall, I felt more terrified by the crooked cop. Maybe that was on purpose?
toreadistovoyage's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting mystery centered around a forensic photographer - one who can see and talk to ghosts - working for the Albuquerque Police Department. The mystery itself was fairly straightforward. The strength of this story is in both the backstory of Rita and the interactions she has with ghosts.
I will definitely be reading the second book when it publishes.
I will definitely be reading the second book when it publishes.