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essjay2023's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
rosyapple's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Racism
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, and Colonisation
sometimesiread11's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
toriedawn1's review against another edition
3.0
Well this book was certainly darker than I expected. Most of the main story is told through metaphors and when I figured them out my heart dropped. Though the story certainly pushed me to have a very viceral reaction I found myself getting tired of the way Catchings story was being told. I understand why they chose that style of storytelling but I felt the repetetive nature took something from the story. I felt this was a good story but it wasnt a writing style I particularly enjoyed, the timing seemed off. If you are after a short Psychological thriller tho this isnt bad.
Trigger Warnings:||Abuse, Murder, Death of a child||
Trigger Warnings:||Abuse, Murder, Death of a child||
desterman's review against another edition
4.0
This young adult Australian fiction novel is told from the alternate perspectives of Aboriginal teenage girls Beth Teller (in prose) and Isobel Catching (in poetry). Beth is working with her dad, a detective, on a mysterious case of a rural children's home that has burnt down - all the children safely escaped, but one adult body has been found in the wreckage and it's unclear whether the body was killed before or after the fire started. Beth is in fact dead though - she's a ghost who can only be seen and communicate with her father. She is hanging around to try to support her father as he tries to come to terms with his loss after her death. The key witness to the case is Isobel, and she too can mysteriously see and talk to Beth. As the case opens up some disturbing secrets are revealed.
I devoured this book in one day - it's a great mystery, and told beautifully through excellent emotive language and strong imagery. It examines the way storytelling can be used for all sorts of effects and in different ways, as well as its importance in Aboriginal culture. A fantastic read!
I devoured this book in one day - it's a great mystery, and told beautifully through excellent emotive language and strong imagery. It examines the way storytelling can be used for all sorts of effects and in different ways, as well as its importance in Aboriginal culture. A fantastic read!
jennifermreads's review against another edition
2.0
Received advance reader’s copy from publisher through Baker & Taylor book supplier. Actual rating: 2.5 stars
Ever since Beth died in a car accident only her father has been able to see her. He is mired in grief and Beth hopes to help him reach a place of peace and acceptance. When a new arson case comes to her father, a police investigator, Beth hopes the mystery will pull her father from his anguish. As the details of the fire unfold, Beth’s father begins to interview the single witness, Isobel Catching, who likes to share her story in riddles and imagery.
This is going to be an English teacher’s dream book! The story drips with so much imagery and symbolism. For many, this will be a good and beautiful thing. For me, I found myself with droopy eyes and a headache. Isobel Catching’s portions of the story are told in verse – and code. Nothing she says is to be taken on its face; everything is to be interpreted. When I got to the conclusion, I could appreciate what she said and how she said it. But in the moment of the reading and story, I just wanted to cry, I was having such severe English-class-symbolism-discussion flashbacks.
The mystery here is complicated and the resolution sufficiently skin-crawling for the hard-core crime fans. The Aboriginal #ownvoices angle is unique and, unfortunately, so rare that I think this may have contributed to my overall discomfort. If I was familiar with and had read more Aboriginal lore, I may have felt more comfortable in reading Catching’s portions of the story.
Ever since Beth died in a car accident only her father has been able to see her. He is mired in grief and Beth hopes to help him reach a place of peace and acceptance. When a new arson case comes to her father, a police investigator, Beth hopes the mystery will pull her father from his anguish. As the details of the fire unfold, Beth’s father begins to interview the single witness, Isobel Catching, who likes to share her story in riddles and imagery.
This is going to be an English teacher’s dream book! The story drips with so much imagery and symbolism. For many, this will be a good and beautiful thing. For me, I found myself with droopy eyes and a headache. Isobel Catching’s portions of the story are told in verse – and code. Nothing she says is to be taken on its face; everything is to be interpreted. When I got to the conclusion, I could appreciate what she said and how she said it. But in the moment of the reading and story, I just wanted to cry, I was having such severe English-class-symbolism-discussion flashbacks.
The mystery here is complicated and the resolution sufficiently skin-crawling for the hard-core crime fans. The Aboriginal #ownvoices angle is unique and, unfortunately, so rare that I think this may have contributed to my overall discomfort. If I was familiar with and had read more Aboriginal lore, I may have felt more comfortable in reading Catching’s portions of the story.
kjbushk's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
3.0