Scan barcode
mpswans1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
kaykal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
nickscoby's review against another edition
3.0
I mostly enjoyed it but I didn't finish the very end because I was just exhausted and it felt like the plot was spinning in place. I love the multi-perspectives and think that sections of the book would make great classroom discussions.
zias's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed the story of this book and I liked the story that it told of a family traveling through their journey of grief. The characters felt real and I enjoyed the mythical facet to this modern book. I also loved the rich and interesting descriptions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
victoriadiesattheend's review against another edition
3.0
?????? I don't know how to feel. Many parts were beautifully written, poetic, engaging. The last 25% was probably my favorite and the most interesting to read. I ended up getting annoyed at each of the characters since each chapter is a glimpse into their lives/thoughts... but maybe that was the point. The writing was a good mix of casual and poetic. I think I would've enjoyed the book better as an audiobook and if I understood more about Hawaii and it's history/language? The last chapters would have been much less confusing if I was versed on Hawaiian beliefs and culture. I already feel like I didn't get enough closure with the characters. I kind of want to read it again already to try to understand more? It was heartbreaking in a strange way.
annalwaring21's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.25
lisatierney's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.75
melodys_library's review against another edition
3.0
Slow start. By 40%, I was ready to throw in the towel. I loathed the teenage drama and sibling rivalry, and wished the whole novel would have been written from Malia (the mother’s) perspective. I read that this is the author’s first foray into adult fiction, but it still read much like a YA novel to me. Tragedy and more mysticism hit the Flores family and piqued my interest around 50%. I powered through reasonably quickly. I liked the pull of the mystery of the land and the family that was bound to it. However, I don’t do well with open endings.
dahyol's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0