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mgehrens's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
laurinbren's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence
jscoot22's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
hannahrose_fgc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
cfarron's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer and Pregnancy
ynaiita_5896's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
🌬️This book has two love stories — one of two hopeful teenagers who desired a peaceful and happy life together; and one of a mother who has made many mistakes and loves her husband irrevocably and her daughter who wonders why. These two narratives are strongly laced —revolving around the complexities and toxicity of certain families, caused by circumstance, hardship and poor life altering decisions.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abandonment, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Antisemitism, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
cheechica's review against another edition
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, and War
randeerebecca's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
showingshelflove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: War
claudiahsa's review against another edition
- 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
I’ll admit that I’m an emotional person but even I was surprised when I kept crying as I wrote down all my favourite quotes in my reading journal. This book dealt with such difficult topics so please read the content warnings in case any might impact you. There were so many harrowing moments and such a deep dissection of family relationships (between spouses, parents and children, found family) and how far we’re willing to go to protect or hold on to the ones we love, but in balance this book brimmed with love and beauty and hope.
There are some absolutely deplorable characters in this book, and Kristin Hannah did such an incredible job at making them dimensional and complex, giving insight into their behaviour without excusing it - in fact depicting the conflicts felt by other characters having to excuse behaviours. This is a really difficult thing to capture but she does it, excellently. There were definitely moments when I completely lost respect for certain characters I had been routing for, who I loved and whose relationships I loved but who kept failing themselves and others by being apologists. It became so rewarding to see these same characters development across their stories.
I loved how the book introduced and reintroduced how strong the bond can be between parent and child, viewed from the perspective of 13 year old, 18 year old and 25 year old Leni and well into her own experience with parenthood. The “Peas in a pod. Two of a kind” quote will forever live in my heart - especially the way it was woven in at the end, which was such a beautiful and full circle moment. In this way the relationship that stood out for me was Leni’s with her mother.
Having said this I did also love love love the romance storyline, and how it developed from friendship as the characters came of age, supporting each other throughout their continued hardships
Finally, the way that Alaska itself is described makes me want to lean right into my outdoorsy side, sell all my things and go camping! Yes long winters and blistering cold and treacherous mistakes, but also spring break up, summer salmon runs, northern lights and starry skies - while foreboding, all of it sounds immense and magical, and so completely pulled me into the world of Kaneq while reading this book.
No notes - excellent world building, story telling and character journeys. I’ll definitely be reading more books by Kristin Hannah!
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Violence