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susieq17's review against another edition
5.0
This is the amazing story of Polly and her father. I wasn’t sure what the message was or even if I was enjoying it. But I couldn’t leave Polly! Read it for yourself and enjoy.
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.
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
heather_j_fitt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
andreamontoro's review against another edition
4.0
First audiobook in the books. A good pulpy novel to get through a road trip.
tbsims's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely.
Liked the story and the characters. And the writing was lovely. Well turned phrases, good descriptions, nuanced and imperfect characters, came alive.
Liked the story and the characters. And the writing was lovely. Well turned phrases, good descriptions, nuanced and imperfect characters, came alive.
constantcatreader's review against another edition
4.0
A gritty story about a prison man who gets out and tries to save his little girl from death by a gang who seeks revenge. The story is an exciting thriller with constant suspense of being on the run. The author has done a great job of writing with details and sensory details that prick your own senses and makes your heart pound. A crazy, quick ride of sacrifice, loyalty, and bravery. Also, there is a creepy stuffed bear that Polly animates is kind of hilarious. The little girl, Polly, is clever even though she’s small. She’s the “little bada**.” And THAT she is exactly: a BADA**.
msawyer77's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
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.
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, and Violence
worm77's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5