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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Some maddening plot holes and pacing issues but the lush lush prose and layers of storytelling more than make up for it
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such an original concept and so well executed, a story about a young woman overcoming sexism and racial prejudice neatly wrapped in a story about magical interdimensional travel, love, loss, and finding again, and the power of stories
Ok- the premise of this book was awesome and there were glimpses of how good it could be but....it just didn’t do it for me. I feel like the author sacrificed plot for stylistic language. There wasn’t enough world building early on. Also, the characters weren’t that likeable. I really feel like it’s unfinished- like it’s a rough draft. I’m not unhappy that I read it but I’m sad about what it could have been.
adventurous
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Abandonment
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was very unique. I appreciate how original and whimsical this was but I was very lost at times. I had trouble following and keeping up with the story and what was happening. I will however say that the ending was very nice and made sense. This book was okay but I don't see myself reading this again.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
I can't imagine a harder genre combo to get right - fantasy and coming of age - but Alix Harrow nails it! Never once while listening to the audiobook did I remind myself to "suspend your disbelief".
January Scholar really doesn't fit anywhere. She's neither caucasian nor colored, her mother died when she was a baby and her father leaves her for months on end while he explores the world searching for archeological oddities for his boss and January's benefactor, Mr. Lock. January dreams to travel with her father but she's always left behind in Lock's care.
As she gets older she learns life is much more complicated. These complications lead January to learn the world is bigger and scarier than she ever imagined yet she must take on the challenges before her in order to save herself and those she loves.
I tend to be quite skeptical of stories that involve fantastical worlds and beings with magical powers but this one really flows and all is believable and melds well with the storyline. This was a fun read/listen and I look forward to Harrow's next offering.
January Scholar really doesn't fit anywhere. She's neither caucasian nor colored, her mother died when she was a baby and her father leaves her for months on end while he explores the world searching for archeological oddities for his boss and January's benefactor, Mr. Lock. January dreams to travel with her father but she's always left behind in Lock's care.
As she gets older she learns life is much more complicated. These complications lead January to learn the world is bigger and scarier than she ever imagined yet she must take on the challenges before her in order to save herself and those she loves.
I tend to be quite skeptical of stories that involve fantastical worlds and beings with magical powers but this one really flows and all is believable and melds well with the storyline. This was a fun read/listen and I look forward to Harrow's next offering.
Magical, powerful...I've been fascinated by liminality since discussing it in a class in college. This book captured every bit of magic I ever imagined could come from the in-betweens of the world. There are many stories about Doors (capital D), and, even if you've read them all... I believe this story will prove an artful and lovely part of your library that will stick with you and not disappoint.
Recommended for everyone! Would be a great bookclub read of substance. Folks who are into a bit of a fantastical twist on historical fiction will find exactly that in these pages.
Recommended for everyone! Would be a great bookclub read of substance. Folks who are into a bit of a fantastical twist on historical fiction will find exactly that in these pages.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Love the writing in her novels, I saved so many quotes from this book. This book is like Addie LaRue meets June Farrow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Animal death