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midwifereading's review
3.0
Though it's a novel, it reads more like non-fiction, with piles of facts laid out in a row, most about battles in the Pacific. Rather than centering on the code talkers and how their work directly impacted the success of American forces in WW2, it feels almost incidental. For example, after detailing the battles on Okinawa, all that is said is that during the battle, all the messages were sent by Navajo code talkers.
There are several lighter anecdotes of the main character's experience, but none that really highlight his work as a code talker. The story is honoring to the Navajo, but lacks a richness that it could have had. It felt slower than it needed to be. Perhaps that was intentional, but it wasn't a writing style I could really enjoy.
I really appreciated some of the details that were brought in a s woven skillfully into the story, such as the utter failure of ANY white men who tried to become code talkers. I was also deeply affected by his honest, unvarnished, and peaceful handling of the racism so prevalent during this era in American history.
There are several lighter anecdotes of the main character's experience, but none that really highlight his work as a code talker. The story is honoring to the Navajo, but lacks a richness that it could have had. It felt slower than it needed to be. Perhaps that was intentional, but it wasn't a writing style I could really enjoy.
I really appreciated some of the details that were brought in a s woven skillfully into the story, such as the utter failure of ANY white men who tried to become code talkers. I was also deeply affected by his honest, unvarnished, and peaceful handling of the racism so prevalent during this era in American history.
x_librarian's review
4.0
A great look at a little-known piece of history. The story was enthralling, until I hit all the military jargon. Though the author tried, the inclusion of so much military details interupted the flow of the story for me. Despite my tendency to get bogged down, I still think its a wonderful novel.
kristalall's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0
I wanted to like this book more than I did. It was informational, but it was a bit too simplistic without a larger character arc that would have made it more enjoyable.
caitlink's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Racism
Minor: Violence
blakely_10's review
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
cami19's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.0
k1berry's review against another edition
More like a nonfiction war book — which just isn’t where my interests are, but do think it is an important story to tell. I enjoyed the first part of the book.
roseleaf24's review
3.0
This book reads like nonfiction. It's very facts-oriented, not quite enough story to it. But it's accessibly written and very important. I know I have heard a lot more about the Navajo Code Talkers in the time since this book came out than I ever had before it.
andreahaz's review
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? No
4.0
sallyavena's review
5.0
A well done historical fiction that gives a good glimpse into the lives of those that were outcast and then needed. The setting is enough that you get a feel of the war but not too much to take away from the real story.