557 reviews for:

Brightly Shining

Ingvild H. Rishøi

4.0 AVERAGE

te_books's review against another edition

3.75

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Absolutely gutting. A sad Christmas story that’s a powerful reminder for how challenging the holidays can be, especially for economically struggling families. Themes of addiction, loss, and trying to hold it together. While originally Norwegian, the story transcends the setting and I easily pictured Ronja, her youthfully innocent Christmas wishes, and all her encounters with the kindness of strangers. The whole story is told in a very stream-of-consciousness way from the perspective of Ronja that’s energetic and fast paced, even during slower moments. The only thing keeping me from loving the story was the confusing ending. The book felt very well translated— I think my confusion about the finish was only because of how abstract and ambiguous it was. 
Thanks to Grove Atlantic Publishing and NetGalley for the English translation ARC.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction

Minor: Abandonment

amdawson's review against another edition

2.0

emotional sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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If you want to melancholy for Christmas, pick up this ironically named book. This was one of the least satisfying books I have read. I wanted so badly for something to happen to these girls. 
I don’t mind books with little plot, or on hard topics, but this was just not what I expected from the title and the blurbs. 
This is a dark and dreary winter novel. 

inger_h_g's review against another edition

4.5

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ianabk's review against another edition

5.0

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

jenjinks's review against another edition

4.0

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

_niva_'s review against another edition

3.5

sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

hannah29's review against another edition

4.0

emotional sad medium-paced

darkereader44's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

what_joanna_reads's review against another edition

1.75

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Not what I was expecting from a 'Christmas' book. Maybe it's a cultural thing, but this was much darker and sadder than festive offerings I have read in the past. Made me feel more sad than warm and fuzzy.

geekyearthmama's review against another edition

5.0

challenging 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: Yes