4.07 AVERAGE


The worldbuilding, characters, and mystery were all excellent and made this a great read!

This book took a bit of getting into, the premise was given early on and the mystery unraveled at a slower pace than I’m used to. But, it was done in a way that didn’t feel like the book was dragging, in fact by the end I couldn’t put it down. I found the characters were all very well written and had a lot to give to the story.
I laughed and wept at the end, it was a beautiful resolution of the story.

10/10 no notes. I love everything about this. I recommend it to everyone. 
adventurous emotional 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: Complicated
adventurous dark mysterious medium-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
adventurous challenging emotional funny informative mysterious sad 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: No
adventurous emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This was a very refreshing addition to the ever-expanding selection of YA fantasy!
“Maybe, sometimes, wants felt like needs. Because the alternative hurt too bad.” blockquote>Where other books would’ve created any entirely different world, Elatsoe only makes slight alterations to the one we already know. Most notable having the paranormal be a part of everyday life.
Following a Lipan-Apache girl, it also pulls from the traditions and worldviews of Native Americans; softening the lines between the spiritual and corporeal.
And in creating this alternate world, Elatsoe gets a very distinctive voice. A voice which has a lot to say.

Like other great books, there’s more beneath the surface of Elatsoe exciting adventure. Subtle, yet clear, it delivers messages about the Native American-experience, ethnicity, race and the power of stories.

My favourite parts were actually never really about the main plot. There were just too many conveniences and too little build-up for me to engage fully with it.
Instead, I was much more captivated by character moments and learning about the history of Ellie’s family.

Because of the plot and pacing, it honestly reads younger than marketed.
That’s not really a critique though! As someone who loves middle-grade, I just think this could’ve easily found its’ home there – if certain, bloody, elements were toned down.

Elatsoe is much-needed a breath of fresh air, and anyone who wants less white, heterosexual fantasy should give it a go!
And if might, I’ll suggest a physical or digital edition because the illustrations by Rovina Cai are gorgeous!
emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced