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srq_book_lover'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? No
5.0
Moderate: Murder, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Animal death, Cursing, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Violence, Physical abuse, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, and Grief
sputnick94's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Murder, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse
brittanyyingling'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
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Blood, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Child abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness, Death of parent, Death, Pregnancy, and Cancer
Minor: Car accident, War, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
This book destroyed me and then built me back up again. In this beautiful story, we follow Lenny's emotional and difficult journey of self-discovery. Every turn is wracked with hardship and pain. Lenny is one of the most resilient and complex characters I have read in a long time. Every turn of the page seemed to bring a new challenge that she bravely faces and overcomes. Her story is complex and hard to read at times as she endured her father's abuse and her parents tumultuous relationship.
Matthew's storyline was equally as challenging. His family has been in Alaska for generations, basically Alaska Royalty. I loved how we got to see the progression of his and Lenny's friendship, from childhood to teens in love to adults fighting for their future together. Like Lenny, he has endured so much pain
I want to call her mother selfish, she held back Lenny and in a way used her as a shield. But, she was a battered and abused woman. Broken in so many ways, just trying to survive and keep her daughter safe. Should she have left her abusive husband? Obviously we are all screaming yes to this question. Yet, it is not that simple. Her mind was in survival mode, just survive the day, the week, hopeful that it will get better. The psychology of an abused woman is complex and I think that this book highlights this in an accurate way.
I loved the setting of this book. Small town, backwoods Alaska, off the grid community full of colourful character who support each other through difficulties in such an isolated place. The setting was vibrant and authentic. It is it's own character in this novel. Alaska the last frontier, beautiful one moment, trying to kill you the next.
The supporting characters were some of my favourite. Tough women who were living off the land and succeeding in such a harsh environment. Large Marge was obviously the stand out. She is tough, but so compassionate and caring.
Graphic: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Grief, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Toxic relationship
sarahfeller'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
3.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Medical content, Alcoholism, Car accident, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Gore, Grief, Murder, Addiction, Blood, Cancer, Abandonment, Alcohol, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Animal death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Suicidal thoughts, War, Mental illness, Violence, and Vomit
kt_schutte'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death, Confinement, Child abuse, Cancer, Alcohol, Blood, Vomit, Violence, Cursing, Chronic illness, War, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Grief, Gore, and Animal death
jessicaharleee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
We get it, her dad is an abusive jackass, her mom’s never leaving, and Alaska is scary.
I thought the last ~100 pages were great. I was literally screaming when Leni admitted her involvement in her dad’s death. I cried when she and Matthew reunited. I cried during Cora’s memorial.
All that being said, historical fiction is clearly not for me.
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: War and Pregnancy
samburkhouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Gore, Medical trauma, and Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness, Cancer, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Alcoholism, Animal death, and Car accident
Minor: Sexual content, Confinement, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, and Vomit
emostby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Murder, and Death of parent
baraya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Pregnancy, Violence, Medical trauma, Murder, and Physical abuse