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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I received this as a review copy from Edelweiss. All opinions are my own
This was a really quick read for me once I reached the 100 page mark because I have to be honest the first few pages were kind of a mess and it got me feeling really confused.
The mixed media part of the storytelling was really interesing and it added some sort of novelty/entertain feeling to the story but I feel like in terms of the plot and how the story read it didn't add that much; in fact, I feel like it affects how the plot of the story develops.
I had some issues with the Alaine as the main character in terms of her family relatinships and her decision making at some points of the story (don't feel like giving spoilers).
Overall it was a really entertaining story though I felt like it was trying to include too many different elements and it ended up feeling like too much.
This was a really quick read for me once I reached the 100 page mark because I have to be honest the first few pages were kind of a mess and it got me feeling really confused.
The mixed media part of the storytelling was really interesing and it added some sort of novelty/entertain feeling to the story but I feel like in terms of the plot and how the story read it didn't add that much; in fact, I feel like it affects how the plot of the story develops.
I had some issues with the Alaine as the main character in terms of her family relatinships and her decision making at some points of the story (don't feel like giving spoilers).
Overall it was a really entertaining story though I felt like it was trying to include too many different elements and it ended up feeling like too much.
Really liked the style of the book - it's told mostly via diary/journal entries (in the guise of it being a school project) with other things like letters/transcripts/texts throughout as well. Alaine has such a clear, fun voice and I loved how it really came through in the writing. Three stars because there was just too much plot and everything was really overstuffed - between her mother's Alzheimer's and the embezzlement at the nonprofit and the romance with the other intern and the family curse and voudou, it was just a lot, even for a 400+ page book, and I think a couple of the subplots could have been dropped or reduced to focus more on Alaine and her experience in Haiti, which was the part I was most interested in (and I think the strongest part of the book).
DEAR HAITI, LOVE ALAINE
Author(s): Maika Moulite and Martiza Moulite Stand-alone or Series: Stand-alone Rating: 3/5 stars
“I was in Haiti. Ayiti. The Motherland. Would you believe me if I said that I instantly felt a connection to the people? I could feel the blood of my ancestors coursing powerfully through my veins. Intense pride swelled within my chest as I realized that I had returned to the country of my forefathersmothers.”
One of the things I look for when I'm reading contemporary is a good narrator, and Alaine was an excellent one. Her sassy and humorous comments on unfolding events made me laugh several times, but she could also be real.
To start, this story is about Alaine Beauparlant, aspiring journalist and daughter of a psychologist and a well-known political journalist. After an unfortunate school presentation, she's sent to Haiti to work at her aunt's nonprofit. Along the way, she learns more about the curse that's been plaguing her family for generations. I really liked the voice of Alaine throughout the novel. I enjoyed her little comments. Her relationship with her father was cute, her aunt was great (at least in the beginning), and I liked the development with her mother's relationship.
Alaine did things relatively well. I didn't feel like she was rash or anything. I liked how she navigated the curse, and it was really interesting and new. I haven't read many books that deal with curses in this way so it was interesting to see!
I also enjoyed the look into life in Haiti, and the differences between the classes and the attitudes of people. The romance was minimal, and that's probably one of the reasons why I couldn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to. I need a substantial amount of romance in a book to enjoy it.
All in all, it was fun read!
Author(s): Maika Moulite and Martiza Moulite Stand-alone or Series: Stand-alone Rating: 3/5 stars
“I was in Haiti. Ayiti. The Motherland. Would you believe me if I said that I instantly felt a connection to the people? I could feel the blood of my ancestors coursing powerfully through my veins. Intense pride swelled within my chest as I realized that I had returned to the country of my forefathersmothers.”
One of the things I look for when I'm reading contemporary is a good narrator, and Alaine was an excellent one. Her sassy and humorous comments on unfolding events made me laugh several times, but she could also be real.
To start, this story is about Alaine Beauparlant, aspiring journalist and daughter of a psychologist and a well-known political journalist. After an unfortunate school presentation, she's sent to Haiti to work at her aunt's nonprofit. Along the way, she learns more about the curse that's been plaguing her family for generations. I really liked the voice of Alaine throughout the novel. I enjoyed her little comments. Her relationship with her father was cute, her aunt was great (at least in the beginning), and I liked the development with her mother's relationship.
Alaine did things relatively well. I didn't feel like she was rash or anything. I liked how she navigated the curse, and it was really interesting and new. I haven't read many books that deal with curses in this way so it was interesting to see!
I also enjoyed the look into life in Haiti, and the differences between the classes and the attitudes of people. The romance was minimal, and that's probably one of the reasons why I couldn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to. I need a substantial amount of romance in a book to enjoy it.
All in all, it was fun read!
It was so cool to learn about Haitian culture through this book! It did seem like a younger YA read, which I think made it drag a little for me, but it was still a fun time.
If .5 were options, I would give 3.5 stars to this book.
It was overall enjoyable, and I’m glad I read it. It made me miss Haiti and want to go back very badly. I loved that it is an own voices books and it represents Haiti’s culture.
However, I did not feel any connection to the characters or feel the stakes in the plot mattered. It could be because I don’t believe in curses and the main plot point was Alaine trying to break the curse, but I just found I wasn’t anxious to get back to the book or that I cared that much what happened.
It was overall enjoyable and there were some funny, deep, and heartbreaking moments. I recommend giving it a try.
It was overall enjoyable, and I’m glad I read it. It made me miss Haiti and want to go back very badly. I loved that it is an own voices books and it represents Haiti’s culture.
However, I did not feel any connection to the characters or feel the stakes in the plot mattered. It could be because I don’t believe in curses and the main plot point was Alaine trying to break the curse, but I just found I wasn’t anxious to get back to the book or that I cared that much what happened.
It was overall enjoyable and there were some funny, deep, and heartbreaking moments. I recommend giving it a try.
DNF. Cool writing concept but slow story line. I made it 50% but didn’t want to finish it.
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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:
Complicated
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Review can be found here at Booked J.
As always, a copy of this book was provided by the publisher or author in exchange for my honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way.
Dear Haiti, Love Alaine is truly one of the best YA releases of 2019. It's no secret that I love a good novel told in epistolary style and this is definitely the best in recent memory. It is as entertaining and humorous as it is honest, emotional and full of Haitian culture; soaring in its entirety and attaching itself to my heart. If you're looking for an unforgettable OWN VOICES book, make Dear Haiti, Love Alaine next in line on your TBR.
Reading Dear Haiti, Love Alaine was a fast experience partly due to its format. Everything flows in a way that is intimate, to the point and quick. Readers will notice this feeling, right away, that they want to read it slowly and quickly all at once. But, it's also a quick read because it's just so dang good. You learn so much in such a small frame of time. You long to breeze through it, but also want to make it last.
We all know that a good book lets you into the mind of its main character and their world. What the Moulite sisters accomplish with Dear Haiti, Love Alaine is so very rare and beautiful and I cannot sing their praises enough. Never once did I feel out of place with the format, never once did I feel as though I'd been reading something fictional and these characters came to life before our eyes.
Filled with reality, angst, humor and a whole lot of determination, Dear Haiti, Love Alaine has the promise of being a longtime favourite. I feel incredibly fortunate to have read this novel and look forward to everything else that the Moulite sisters will offer us in the future. I have a feeling we will be hearing a lot more from Maika and Maritza Moulite in the future--and I can't wait.
Ultimately, there are many lessons to be taught within Dear Haiti, Love Alaine and walking away from this book felt like many things. There's this moment, after closing the novel, I felt like I'd said goodbye to a friend. What was gained from Dear Haiti, Love Alaine reminded me that there's so much more to life. This was a very important read that tackled so many real issues and portrayed life in all its complexities beautifully--it is one of this years essentials.
As always, a copy of this book was provided by the publisher or author in exchange for my honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way.
Dear Haiti, Love Alaine is truly one of the best YA releases of 2019. It's no secret that I love a good novel told in epistolary style and this is definitely the best in recent memory. It is as entertaining and humorous as it is honest, emotional and full of Haitian culture; soaring in its entirety and attaching itself to my heart. If you're looking for an unforgettable OWN VOICES book, make Dear Haiti, Love Alaine next in line on your TBR.
Reading Dear Haiti, Love Alaine was a fast experience partly due to its format. Everything flows in a way that is intimate, to the point and quick. Readers will notice this feeling, right away, that they want to read it slowly and quickly all at once. But, it's also a quick read because it's just so dang good. You learn so much in such a small frame of time. You long to breeze through it, but also want to make it last.
We all know that a good book lets you into the mind of its main character and their world. What the Moulite sisters accomplish with Dear Haiti, Love Alaine is so very rare and beautiful and I cannot sing their praises enough. Never once did I feel out of place with the format, never once did I feel as though I'd been reading something fictional and these characters came to life before our eyes.
Filled with reality, angst, humor and a whole lot of determination, Dear Haiti, Love Alaine has the promise of being a longtime favourite. I feel incredibly fortunate to have read this novel and look forward to everything else that the Moulite sisters will offer us in the future. I have a feeling we will be hearing a lot more from Maika and Maritza Moulite in the future--and I can't wait.
Ultimately, there are many lessons to be taught within Dear Haiti, Love Alaine and walking away from this book felt like many things. There's this moment, after closing the novel, I felt like I'd said goodbye to a friend. What was gained from Dear Haiti, Love Alaine reminded me that there's so much more to life. This was a very important read that tackled so many real issues and portrayed life in all its complexities beautifully--it is one of this years essentials.
There’s something about books about the Caribbean that really just stick with me. I really enjoyed this one because it was so close to home. I was able to see the similarities between our cultures and the differences. Haiti is a beautiful country and I wish it prosperity.
PS- Let’s talk about how STUNNING the cover is.
PS- Let’s talk about how STUNNING the cover is.