Scan barcode
katie_samsock's review against another edition
5.0
Oh wow. This was so incredibly good. I am not usually one for coming-of-age books but this might just have converted me. The story is thrilling and the characters are unforgettable especially the bond between Bread and Fish. I dare you to not get sucked into this adventure. And to think I won this from the good reads giveaway. Thanks for the best prize ever!!!
lezapal's review against another edition
4.0
This book is definitely character driven and beautifully written. However, it got a little slow in the middle and I was frustrated with some of the characters. Overall, a good solid read.
clareolivia's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Gun violence
lyds_33's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
heidisreads's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. I didn't expect to have so many emotions during this book. There were moments I had to set it down because I was so frustrated with the characters and there were moments I had to remember to breathe because I feared heartbreak. At its heart, it is a coming-of-age story people will/should talk about for a long time. If your book club enjoyed talking about Ordinary Grace or This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger, put this on your list for the summer!
Skip the audiobook - the narrator's pacing wasn't quite right for the tone of the book.
Skip the audiobook - the narrator's pacing wasn't quite right for the tone of the book.
barbaraskalberg's review against another edition
5.0
Bread and Fish (that imagery!) - two 10-year-old boys... I loved this story!
rachelmerry_'s review against another edition
3.0
Pro: loved the opening page
Con: every character was constantly wet and they didn’t let you forget it
Pro: I liked Fish as a narrator and the parts about them starting off on their adventure
Con: this man should not narrate for his female characters. the Tiffany parts were just…very obviously written by a straight, cisgender male
another con: for what a central part the fathers played in the story’s development, their relationships with their sons were not explored proportionally
Con: every character was constantly wet and they didn’t let you forget it
Pro: I liked Fish as a narrator and the parts about them starting off on their adventure
Con: this man should not narrate for his female characters. the Tiffany parts were just…very obviously written by a straight, cisgender male
another con: for what a central part the fathers played in the story’s development, their relationships with their sons were not explored proportionally
ja3m3's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! What a great story. I loved the characters, the action, the tension, but mostly I loved the bond of friendship that was formed between two boys as they faced down their fears and the wild river that tries to claim them. Highly recommend.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up - A solid debut that is getting compared a LOT to William Kent Krueger’s This tender land. The book is set in the 1990s and follows two young boys on the run. There are a cast of small town characters we the readers get invested in but I found the middle dragged a bit. The climax at the end is very edge of your seat compelling and worth reading through the book to get to. Lots of commentary on domestic abuse, rural poverty, following what makes you happy and the hardships endured from broken families. This was a slow-moving, but atmospheric wilderness adventure along the lines of Huckleberry Finn, This tender land or We begin at the end (another new book getting rave reviews). Overall I enjoyed it and look forward to what comes next from Andrew J Graff.