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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What the F was that? Definitely not a Christmas book! It had me gripped the whole way through but man was that depressing. Not the ending I wanted or expected. This was so heartbreaking. I kept thinking there would be a redeeming conclusion…
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was looking forward to this novella about a Norwegian tale of sisterhood and survival during the Christmas season, and I devoured it in one day. I am still unsure how I should feel about sweet Ronja and Melissa. It sheds light, quite literally, on kids who don't have a present parent or more than cereal in the cupboard to eat, let alone a tree on Christmas. I admire the girls taking on the job their father couldn't keep, selling Christmas trees.
Since it was so short, I understood it had to be brief, but I wanted more time with the characters--especially Ronja. I fear the end was not happy if I interpreted it correctly, and I don't want to share spoilers, but it was beautiful and heartbreaking. Thanks for allowing me to read this in exchange for a review.
Since it was so short, I understood it had to be brief, but I wanted more time with the characters--especially Ronja. I fear the end was not happy if I interpreted it correctly, and I don't want to share spoilers, but it was beautiful and heartbreaking. Thanks for allowing me to read this in exchange for a review.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Wow, a poignant little book. Evocative, sad, and thought-provoking.
It follows two girls, one teenager and her little sister, who are trying to get through the Christmas period with their alcoholic dad. The little girl, the protagonist, always has hope regarding their father and their future, where her sister has exhausted hers.
The two try their best to make ends meet.
I love the beautiful relationship between the two sisters; such a strong bond that really tugs at the heartstrings.
A book I'll think about a lot and will probably reread once a year now. I'm not surprised reviews consider this a modern classic.
It follows two girls, one teenager and her little sister, who are trying to get through the Christmas period with their alcoholic dad. The little girl, the protagonist, always has hope regarding their father and their future, where her sister has exhausted hers.
The two try their best to make ends meet.
I love the beautiful relationship between the two sisters; such a strong bond that really tugs at the heartstrings.
A book I'll think about a lot and will probably reread once a year now. I'm not surprised reviews consider this a modern classic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Alcohol
I was drawn into this story of a family trying to hold it together - to survive - around the holidays. We're pulled into their day-to-day activities and the festivities that surround them, whether they feel included in the reverie or not. I wanted this to resonate with me a bit more than it did, honestly. I also found the ending to be a bit unsatisfying and a touch unclear, which I can handle if it feels earned, but this one left me wanting more - and not in the way I may have expected. Give it a try if you're intrigued, but I wasn't blown away.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No