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tylerscottstone's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
nancidrum's review against another edition
3.0
Do not even attempt to read this book if you don't enjoy original writing. This author's writing is amazing, and very different from mainstream writers. I didn't realize going into it that it was Young Adult, but don't let that stop you from reading it if you normally don't like YA. This book is also a bit post apocalyptic and dystopian in feel, which is not my favorite genre, but again...the writing, oh my, the writing. The MC Stella is such a tender, wondrous character. My heart ached for her. The story is not really so much of a story to me, but an opportunity for the author to show her talent in combining words and sentences that make the reader want to reread those sentences. Not that that is a bad thing, but it's why the book for me was just 3.5 stars. I would have liked more of a story.
milliecorkery's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
this was kind of depressing to read given the current situation
shancat's review
3.0
I expected a book about the end of the world and instead found a strange and lovely exploration of strange and lovely humanity.
Review:
There was a lot to love about this book, first and foremost being the writing. It was vaguely stream of consciousness-esque, full of dreamy phrases and descriptions. The dialogue was real, sometimes crude, often funny. If you’re looking for something poetic and beautiful to read, this is it.
(Side note: I felt like I needed a British to American translator for a lot of this book. As someone who’s read and watched and lot of British media this was surprising, but there were many words and phrases I’d never encountered.)
The plot’s focus was not on the impending winter cold but rather on the development of the main characters and their interactions with each other and the town and weather. They were all quite unique and relatable, very odd and special, and a little lost. I loved witnessing how Constance supported her trans daughter. It was fascinating to see Stella’s coming of age in this isolated, snowy world. Dylan was a bit subtler, his journey more focused on grief and loss, but he was a joy to encounter as well.
I did find it a bit slow, eventually the pretty descriptions and internal focus got boring and I found myself skimming for the next thing to happen. The plot is definitely more introspective than anything, not a lot actually happens and the ending is left open and relatively unresolved.
Overall, I adored the writing, finding myself enthralled with many of the beautiful scenes and phrases, but I was disappointed that it wasn’t more action-packed. It’s definitely not a fluff book, more of an introspective, deep novel. I think this is a book that is better in retrospect than during reading. Afterword, certain scenes and phrases stand out and are haunting. I want to go back and analyze, mark up the prettiest parts and make fan content.
Disclaimer:
I received this book as an ARC from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.
Review:
There was a lot to love about this book, first and foremost being the writing. It was vaguely stream of consciousness-esque, full of dreamy phrases and descriptions. The dialogue was real, sometimes crude, often funny. If you’re looking for something poetic and beautiful to read, this is it.
(Side note: I felt like I needed a British to American translator for a lot of this book. As someone who’s read and watched and lot of British media this was surprising, but there were many words and phrases I’d never encountered.)
The plot’s focus was not on the impending winter cold but rather on the development of the main characters and their interactions with each other and the town and weather. They were all quite unique and relatable, very odd and special, and a little lost. I loved witnessing how Constance supported her trans daughter. It was fascinating to see Stella’s coming of age in this isolated, snowy world. Dylan was a bit subtler, his journey more focused on grief and loss, but he was a joy to encounter as well.
I did find it a bit slow, eventually the pretty descriptions and internal focus got boring and I found myself skimming for the next thing to happen. The plot is definitely more introspective than anything, not a lot actually happens and the ending is left open and relatively unresolved.
Overall, I adored the writing, finding myself enthralled with many of the beautiful scenes and phrases, but I was disappointed that it wasn’t more action-packed. It’s definitely not a fluff book, more of an introspective, deep novel. I think this is a book that is better in retrospect than during reading. Afterword, certain scenes and phrases stand out and are haunting. I want to go back and analyze, mark up the prettiest parts and make fan content.
Disclaimer:
I received this book as an ARC from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.
beewry's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars … slow start, but it kept me coming back and i found myself caring for the characters more and more throughout the book. i even let out an audible gasp, which certainly surprised me. overall a solid book :)
bookhoarder_alissa's review against another edition
4.0
I love a good character-driven book and this was one. I guess I was a bit disappointed as I had just expected a novel that falls more into the cli-fi section but that was just me. The aspect of the freezing earth is more than just a minor backdrop to the plot but it is also not a novel about a change in climate. Fagan writes beatifully and both the descriptions of nature and the frozen surroundings as well as the characters are well written. Stella is just such a badass teenage girl that you got to love her for it.
cats22's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fascinating and unusual book.
While technically an apocalyptic book it doesn't read that way. It's a very character-driven, rather quiet story.
Issues of transgenderism/gender dysphoria are done in a thoughtful way. Also, what you might call polyamory, though I'm not sure all parties are a hundred percent on board with it. It's complicated. That's okay.
This is a hard book to describe. One thing is certain. You will feel cold. Very, very cold.
While technically an apocalyptic book it doesn't read that way. It's a very character-driven, rather quiet story.
Issues of transgenderism/gender dysphoria are done in a thoughtful way. Also, what you might call polyamory, though I'm not sure all parties are a hundred percent on board with it. It's complicated. That's okay.
This is a hard book to describe. One thing is certain. You will feel cold. Very, very cold.
daynpitseleh's review
4.0
I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If you're looking for a straight apocalyptic story, you're looking in the wrong place. While climate change has led to temperatures dropping, icebergs moving towards population centers, and brutal winters looming, this only serves as the setting of the novel rather than the driving force. Instead, the novel is a great story about three individuals thrown together during these circumstances. The characters are richly developed (Stella, a transgender preteen is especially wonderful) and so realistic, dealing not only with a changing world, but dealing with love, death, and change.
Highly recommended.
If you're looking for a straight apocalyptic story, you're looking in the wrong place. While climate change has led to temperatures dropping, icebergs moving towards population centers, and brutal winters looming, this only serves as the setting of the novel rather than the driving force. Instead, the novel is a great story about three individuals thrown together during these circumstances. The characters are richly developed (Stella, a transgender preteen is especially wonderful) and so realistic, dealing not only with a changing world, but dealing with love, death, and change.
Highly recommended.
fairybookmother's review against another edition
4.0
I totally read this in one sitting. More to come!
lulustjames's review against another edition
3.0
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A global environmental disaster sets the backdrop for The Sunlight Pilgrims by Jennie Fagan, yet for all that the synopsis emphasizes these apocalyptic times, the story focuses more on family connections and growing up/living in a small town. The main part of the story that drew me in and kept me interested was Stella and seeing her try to cope with life in a tiny, bigoted crowd.
Character development was the driving point of this Sunlight Pilgrims. Readers see Stella evolve from extremely insecure, depressed, and self-conscious, to realizing the boys and kids around her aren’t worth her attention, depression. She learns this the hard way after an alluded to hospital stay. Why is Stella having such a hard time? Because she is a transgirl living in a tiny, religious town. Stella was the high point for me and I was extremely eager to read her chapters, to see more of her evolution. Meanwhile, we also have Londoner Dylan befriending Stella and trying to woo her mother. His arc started with emotion and steam, but fizzled out almost immediately. The only time his arc picked up interest was when he discovered his dark family secret, which I would have loved to have seen more fully explored.
While this reminds me a bit of A Sudden Light by Garth Stein mixed with The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber, it doesn’t seem to come close to being as great as either. Still, The Sunlight Pilgrims by Jenni Faber is a solidly written book, but does falter at living up to the synopsis. I would have preferred the apocalyptic nature of the extreme cold and snow had been shown as something extremely serious (like it was in “The Book of Strange New Things“) and/or that there be a greater focus on Stella’s development and maturing, as well as a more in-depth look at Dylan’s family secret and its impact.
// I received this title for free in exchange for an honest review //