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grey_jayne's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
A beautifully told story with ancestral magic, dangerous villains, and rogarous!
Some chapters were devoted to different perspectives which gave a dreamy quality to the storytelling. And quite a page turner. I feel like this book read me.
Warning: Prepare for some darkness and cruelty. I was surprised by how hard hitting parts of this book were.
Some chapters were devoted to different perspectives which gave a dreamy quality to the storytelling. And quite a page turner. I feel like this book read me.
Warning: Prepare for some darkness and cruelty. I was surprised by how hard hitting parts of this book were.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Sexual content
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
While this isn't a genre I normally read, I was intrigued by the premise. Plus, Cherie Dimaline is a fantastic writer. This is infused with myth and darkness. At times, it feels like there are too many characters to follow, even though Joan grounds the entire story. And that ending! Dimaline wasn't afraid to end on a bold note.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Gore, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use and Car accident
readingbetweenthenotes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I can't remember ever reading a book about or written by a Native American author (something I'm ashamed of but working now to change). I'm really glad to have started with this book by Cherie Dimaline! Her writing had a hauntingly beautiful quality and I genuinely enjoyed the reading experience.
This book had such a unique premise and was unlike anything I've ever read before. I really felt for the protagonist Joan, who was desperately trying to get her husband back and facing the most fascinating of obstacles.
Empire of Wild truly captivated me from start to finish. The prologue grabbed me instantly and each chapter drew me further into this twisty story. Parts of the book read like an urban legend (with which I've always had a fascination) or an episode of Supernatural (one of my favourite shows). So if those are things you enjoy too, I'd definitely recommend this one!
The book also provided a great insight into Native American culture and I loved learning about the different beliefs and practices of these people. Dimaline did a great job of highlighting and challenging the prejudices still faced by these communities. I also really appreciated the family dynamics that were portrayed.
I won't say anything about the book's ending, other than this book was a JOURNEY! Overall, I'm just very pleased to have read this one and would definitely recommend it, if you like the sound of it!
This book had such a unique premise and was unlike anything I've ever read before. I really felt for the protagonist Joan, who was desperately trying to get her husband back and facing the most fascinating of obstacles.
Empire of Wild truly captivated me from start to finish. The prologue grabbed me instantly and each chapter drew me further into this twisty story. Parts of the book read like an urban legend (with which I've always had a fascination) or an episode of Supernatural (one of my favourite shows). So if those are things you enjoy too, I'd definitely recommend this one!
The book also provided a great insight into Native American culture and I loved learning about the different beliefs and practices of these people. Dimaline did a great job of highlighting and challenging the prejudices still faced by these communities. I also really appreciated the family dynamics that were portrayed.
I won't say anything about the book's ending, other than this book was a JOURNEY! Overall, I'm just very pleased to have read this one and would definitely recommend it, if you like the sound of it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Car accident
alexiswiththefreckles's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Racism, Sexual content, Blood, and Car accident
Moderate: Fatphobia and Religious bigotry
thevietvegan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I just finished this and I didn't really like it e it was well written, I just don't feel like I enjoyed the plot very much. It was spooky and that was kind of tense and cool, but I feel like plot devices kept cropping up conveniently and there were a lot of unresolved issues. The antagonist felt too omnipotent to be triumphed so easily.
I did like the allegory of what effect Christianity has on Indigenous communities though, it's not often I see the dominant religion be painted so villainously (maybe I just haven't read enough books that do that, now that I say it out loud I feel like maybe its a lot more common in literature than I think)
I did like the allegory of what effect Christianity has on Indigenous communities though, it's not often I see the dominant religion be painted so villainously (maybe I just haven't read enough books that do that, now that I say it out loud I feel like maybe its a lot more common in literature than I think)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Grief
Minor: Miscarriage, Racial slurs, and Racism
bookishcori's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
4.25
First time I read this it was perfection 5 stars. Second time around I still loved it but see some of the flaws. Still an really fun and impactful book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Colonisation
Minor: Sexual content
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