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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Song: Isumagijunnaitaungituq (the Unforgiven) by Elisapie
I wanted to like this book. I really wanted to like this book. The premise of the book sounded so intriguing. However, this book felt like 3 books in one. The author really should have pared down what she wanted to write about in this book, because it made it very confusing and busy. There's a vampire story line that would have made its own book, a ghost story line that could have been its own book, and a familial story line that could have been it's own book.
Additionally, the dialogue was stilted and awkward. Not well written at all. Over all, this book could have used another 3 or 4 edits to get it down to something amazing. It feels like it's almost there.
Additionally, the dialogue was stilted and awkward. Not well written at all. Over all, this book could have used another 3 or 4 edits to get it down to something amazing. It feels like it's almost there.
In this alternative America, magic, fae, and vampires are more common than you think. But Ellie’s ability to raise the dead comes from her Lipan Apache heritage. Named after her Six-Great grandmother Elatsoe, Ellie’s constant companion is her ghost dog Kirby.
One night Ellie’s cousin appears to her in a dream, claiming he was murdered, but unable to tell her why or how. Upon waking and hearing that Trevor died in a car crash, Ellie knows that his appearance in her dream was his final words to the living realm. With the help of her family, her best friend Jay, and her ancestors, Ellie is determined to uncover the truth.
————
This was such a delightful story! While it has heavier topics of grief, violence, and death, it was not a heavy book but instead a journey of confidence, family, and justice.
My favorite part of the story was the fact that no one questioned Ellie’s dream. Her whole family believed her, her friends believed her, and I really appreciated that she didn’t have to spend time proving herself or convincing others to believe her.
I really enjoyed this alternative world that Little Badger has created, and loved the themes of Indigenous justice and storytelling woven throughout the book. I do wish the world building was a little bit more in focus throughout the book, but since it’s a more modern-day setting it was never confusing.
One night Ellie’s cousin appears to her in a dream, claiming he was murdered, but unable to tell her why or how. Upon waking and hearing that Trevor died in a car crash, Ellie knows that his appearance in her dream was his final words to the living realm. With the help of her family, her best friend Jay, and her ancestors, Ellie is determined to uncover the truth.
————
This was such a delightful story! While it has heavier topics of grief, violence, and death, it was not a heavy book but instead a journey of confidence, family, and justice.
My favorite part of the story was the fact that no one questioned Ellie’s dream. Her whole family believed her, her friends believed her, and I really appreciated that she didn’t have to spend time proving herself or convincing others to believe her.
I really enjoyed this alternative world that Little Badger has created, and loved the themes of Indigenous justice and storytelling woven throughout the book. I do wish the world building was a little bit more in focus throughout the book, but since it’s a more modern-day setting it was never confusing.
This was actually both a fun adventure and also kinda emotional in parts. I love the vampire uno reverse of actually I'm native too I totally predicted all the twists but that did not detract from the story. Everyone thinks they will be the one to invent the sexy ethical vampire and it just can't be done I'm sorry. The world building maybe could've been expanded on a bit more. I don't mind you just throwing me in and letting me figure it out but you at least need to double back enough for me to catch on. Also love some casual ace rep. Ok wait also I was so convinced that because his death wasnt natural they were going to bring back Abe through putting the injuries back on the doctor and lowkey that wouldve been much cooler
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Excellent, but just barely too predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Cursing
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5. This was a fun book filled with beautiful magic and a creative alternate modern-day setting. I thought Elatsoe's generational magical powers were awesome, and I liked that her parents were supportive of her endeavors throughout the story. In many YA books I've read before, there is a strong disconnect between the teen protagonist and their parents. It was refreshing to see a family dynamic that was communicative, respectful, and supportive.
The main thing I didn't like was that Ellie and her group of friends read very young. She is 17, but everything feels very middle-grade, from the characters' personalities to their conversations. Things were more straightforward and less nuanced than I would've liked. A lot of the dialogue felt very middle-grade as well. None of this is necessarily a bad thing, but the book is marketed as YA and the characters are all around age 17 or older, so it just wasn't what I was expecting.
The main thing I didn't like was that Ellie and her group of friends read very young. She is 17, but everything feels very middle-grade, from the characters' personalities to their conversations. Things were more straightforward and less nuanced than I would've liked. A lot of the dialogue felt very middle-grade as well. None of this is necessarily a bad thing, but the book is marketed as YA and the characters are all around age 17 or older, so it just wasn't what I was expecting.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
