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poisoned_icecream's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Trafficking, and Racism
readingwithcoffee's review against another edition
dark
sad
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? No
2.0
The ideas in the book are much better then the execution which is boggled down by clunky clumsy writing at times and ironically misogyny for a book inspired by the missing and murdered indigenous women crisis in the Americas.
A lot of this is microcosm of the two sisters story Medina depicts where the younger sister being harmed and cursed by a man she didn’t know is framed to have been actually caused bc she didn’t explicitly “obey” her moral older sister who told her not to come with her with no real reasoning given etc. that even clearly not intentional sexist framing of violence to women as failing of the girl to woman’s approach to life or not heeding other women is deeply harmful. It’s just a book that would benefit a lot for vastly more feminist thoughts which is disappointing.
Also while children have done worse things to each other and have deep social thoughts I thought how they were written fighting or the protagonist didn’t seem how kids would express that violence or commentary which a parts just felt like the author pausing the story to tell us his perspective on various Native American issues instead of something better Integrated into the theme or narrative. The book simply suffers from too much telling vs showing. And also have the protagonist almost never be wrong and making her seem better than other women for not being like them or rejecting anything seem as feminine including just friendships between girls ending for studs to other things that felt catty. Or how the mother passivity felt less taken seriously as a character or depicted less sympathetically then the father who was damaging himself and property in arguments ? Like it seemed like a book about women that only held maybe two in any real esteem.
But I did like how he wrote the favoritism to the son/brother.
A lot of this is microcosm of the two sisters story Medina depicts where the younger sister being harmed and cursed by a man she didn’t know is framed to have been actually caused bc she didn’t explicitly “obey” her moral older sister who told her not to come with her with no real reasoning given etc. that even clearly not intentional sexist framing of violence to women as failing of the girl to woman’s approach to life or not heeding other women is deeply harmful. It’s just a book that would benefit a lot for vastly more feminist thoughts which is disappointing.
Also while children have done worse things to each other and have deep social thoughts I thought how they were written fighting or the protagonist didn’t seem how kids would express that violence or commentary which a parts just felt like the author pausing the story to tell us his perspective on various Native American issues instead of something better Integrated into the theme or narrative. The book simply suffers from too much telling vs showing. And also have the protagonist almost never be wrong and making her seem better than other women for not being like them or rejecting anything seem as feminine including just friendships between girls ending for studs to other things that felt catty. Or how the mother passivity felt less taken seriously as a character or depicted less sympathetically then the father who was damaging himself and property in arguments ? Like it seemed like a book about women that only held maybe two in any real esteem.
But I did like how he wrote the favoritism to the son/brother.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Body horror, Body shaming, Drug use, Racism, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
abby271's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Alcohol, Death, Kidnapping, and Drug use
Minor: Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Trafficking, and Rape
ec_tyche's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
The only part about this book I didn’t like was the way it jumps around in the timeline. Other than that, I really enjoyed how this book was meaningful while still remaining a thriller novel. I loved that Two Spirits was included in this as well, it made it feel inclusive in a new way for me. I also loved reading about other Native pieces such as the folklore and beliefs that were included in this book. The ending was really great, I thought as was the authors note.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Death, Murder, Addiction, and Racism
Minor: Drug use, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
coltonchase_'s review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Trafficking, and Murder
phoenix13's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Trafficking, Murder, Sexual assault, and Drug abuse
guptillc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Murder, and Sexual violence
toriwatson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Murder, and Drug abuse
Minor: Trafficking and Addiction
jberg216's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I really wanted to like this as the subject matter is very important and I think more people should care about MMIW. However, this just didn’t do it for me. I was confused by the back and forth timelines and overlong descriptions. Perhaps it would have been different if I read a paper copy (I listened to the audiobook). The pacing was also off for me. I found it very slow until the end where it then is too fast.
While this book wasn’t for me, it may be for you! Check it out!
While this book wasn’t for me, it may be for you! Check it out!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Trafficking
This is about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women epidemic.guatastic's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A very strong and effective call to action wrapped up in a thrilling novel that wrecks your heart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Murder, and Grief