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michelles_book_nook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
⚠️ CW: murder, alcoholism, drug abuse, suicidal ideations, violence, child abuse, brief mentions of self harm, ableism and racism ⚠️ Wow sometimes you just know when a book is going to stay with you long after you close it, and this is definitely one of them. This book follows the complicated and heartbreaking lives of Duchess and Robin Radley, two young siblings who have had to do a lot of growing up way too soon. Duchess is a 13 year old self-proclaimed outlaw, and at school her and her brother are constantly picked on or avoided for their torn clothes and messy hair. But while the other kids throw sticks, Duchess will counter with stones. On the outside she is seen as troubled and broken but really she is just trying her best to survive and be the best sister-parent to her 5 year old brother as well as take care of her mother, Star. On the other side of their story is the dependable childhood friend of their mother, Chief Walker. He's healing from the deep wounds of the past and despite never moving on from their small town roots he has continuously fought to protect Duchess and Robin while Star slid ever further into self-destruction. But as the past comes back to greet them all things become even more complicated but they know they have no other choice but to deal with it somehow. This book has my whole heart and had me up until 5am binge reading it through tears! It is the most beautiful but messy representation of found family all wrapped up in a page turning crime mystery and I loved it so much! It is so hard to review without giving spoilers but it so powerful and hard hitting that I wish I'd read it sooner and as soon as I closed the book I wanted to read it all over again just so I didn't have to part with the characters. Overall, I highly recommend this book but be warned it may leave you in a book hangover with how amazing it is!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Death of parent, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Murder
Minor: Self harm, Racism, and Ableism
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