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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
Okay so I am lowering my original five-star review to four stars, but that doesn't mean I like it any less!
The first time I read this book, all I really remember was the atmospheric quality of it. I finished it and sang its praises from the rooftop, but upon reread, it really... wasn't all I had hyped it up in my head to be?? I am very very easily influenced by outsider opinions on literally everything, so I think the reason I may have liked this so much the first time was because Kayla from booksandlala, who I would watch all the time, loved this book. It's embarrassing for me to admit but oh well. It could also be a matter of my personal reading taste evolving. Lately I've been more interested in mature stories with older characters and situations, so maybe this one was just different from what I've been reading lately.
All this doesn't mean that I didn't like it. I still very much loved reading it again and getting to experience everything. I completely forgot about a lot of the plot and mystery of this story, so it kind of was like reading a brand-new novel all over again. The voice of Ellie in this book is very funny and distinct, and the writing style is unique and original. I, again, loved hearing all her tales of Lipan Apache folklore and traditions. This novel kind of falls on the cusp of middle grade and young adult, which is okay! I never really considered that aspect of it until teen lit, so I appreciate getting that other perspective. The characters are fleshed out and have great relationships with each other. The only real reason I am giving this four stars is because of some plot elements. While I thought that the voice and the characters were unique, I feel like the plot fell a little short. It just felt like a predictable ghost-haunting tale. I wish there could've been a few more dramatic twists and turns.
☞ 4 stars (really liked it)
——————
I finished Elatsoe early in the darkness of morning, completely blown away by what I had just read.
Sometimes when I read a good book, I still have an internal struggle debating whether it was worthy of a five-star rating or if I should lower it to a 4 or 4.5. With Elatsoe, this was a very easy 5 stars. I only really picked up this book because Books and Lala on YouTube couldn't stop raving about it. Also the cover looked nice. Anyway. This book was just so whimsical and so magical. Reading this felt like walking in the desert while the plateaus rise up to your right and the sun makes them glow just right. Reading this book felt going on a new adventure and taking in all the beautiful nature around you. The descriptions in this book were so immersive and I felt like I was right there in the deserts of Texas. The writing style was so beautiful. I'm lowkey impressed that this is a debut novel.
I also liked the characters. Ellie (Elatsoe) is headstrong, determined, and always going the extra mile in order to protect the ones she loves. She has such a strong support system. Her parents are always there for her and love her so much (which is exciting because I want more books where the main character and their parents are close!). Her best friend Jay is literally the cutest person ever and is always willing to help her. The little moments between him and Ellie warmed my heart and it really solidified their friendship. And finally, Ellie's loyal ghost-dog Kirby who fiercely protects her and goes wherever she does. Oh, another thing. There's DOGS in this book. Dogs are an important element to the story and I loved that SO MUCH!
One more thing I loved was all the history and culture in this book. Ellie and her family are Lipan-Apache, and I absolutely LOVED learning about her roots and her culture. Ellie looks to her six-great-grandmother for guidance, which I thought was really nice. Again, it's such an important element in the book and I immensely enjoyed hearing the stories of her Six-great grandmother.
If you by chance haven't picked up on it while you were reading this review, I absolutely loved this book. I recommend it for everybody, but especially people who love ghost-type stories and magical realism. Please go read it!
☞ 5 stars
The first time I read this book, all I really remember was the atmospheric quality of it. I finished it and sang its praises from the rooftop, but upon reread, it really... wasn't all I had hyped it up in my head to be?? I am very very easily influenced by outsider opinions on literally everything, so I think the reason I may have liked this so much the first time was because Kayla from booksandlala, who I would watch all the time, loved this book. It's embarrassing for me to admit but oh well. It could also be a matter of my personal reading taste evolving. Lately I've been more interested in mature stories with older characters and situations, so maybe this one was just different from what I've been reading lately.
All this doesn't mean that I didn't like it. I still very much loved reading it again and getting to experience everything. I completely forgot about a lot of the plot and mystery of this story, so it kind of was like reading a brand-new novel all over again. The voice of Ellie in this book is very funny and distinct, and the writing style is unique and original. I, again, loved hearing all her tales of Lipan Apache folklore and traditions. This novel kind of falls on the cusp of middle grade and young adult, which is okay! I never really considered that aspect of it until teen lit, so I appreciate getting that other perspective. The characters are fleshed out and have great relationships with each other. The only real reason I am giving this four stars is because of some plot elements. While I thought that the voice and the characters were unique, I feel like the plot fell a little short. It just felt like a predictable ghost-haunting tale. I wish there could've been a few more dramatic twists and turns.
☞ 4 stars (really liked it)
——————
I finished Elatsoe early in the darkness of morning, completely blown away by what I had just read.
Sometimes when I read a good book, I still have an internal struggle debating whether it was worthy of a five-star rating or if I should lower it to a 4 or 4.5. With Elatsoe, this was a very easy 5 stars. I only really picked up this book because Books and Lala on YouTube couldn't stop raving about it. Also the cover looked nice. Anyway. This book was just so whimsical and so magical. Reading this felt like walking in the desert while the plateaus rise up to your right and the sun makes them glow just right. Reading this book felt going on a new adventure and taking in all the beautiful nature around you. The descriptions in this book were so immersive and I felt like I was right there in the deserts of Texas. The writing style was so beautiful. I'm lowkey impressed that this is a debut novel.
I also liked the characters. Ellie (Elatsoe) is headstrong, determined, and always going the extra mile in order to protect the ones she loves. She has such a strong support system. Her parents are always there for her and love her so much (which is exciting because I want more books where the main character and their parents are close!). Her best friend Jay is literally the cutest person ever and is always willing to help her. The little moments between him and Ellie warmed my heart and it really solidified their friendship. And finally, Ellie's loyal ghost-dog Kirby who fiercely protects her and goes wherever she does. Oh, another thing. There's DOGS in this book. Dogs are an important element to the story and I loved that SO MUCH!
One more thing I loved was all the history and culture in this book. Ellie and her family are Lipan-Apache, and I absolutely LOVED learning about her roots and her culture. Ellie looks to her six-great-grandmother for guidance, which I thought was really nice. Again, it's such an important element in the book and I immensely enjoyed hearing the stories of her Six-great grandmother.
If you by chance haven't picked up on it while you were reading this review, I absolutely loved this book. I recommend it for everybody, but especially people who love ghost-type stories and magical realism. Please go read it!
☞ 5 stars
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is interesting, because it's not specifically Native American stories. I mean, there are a lot of those too, but you have fairy rings and vampires and all that cool stuff. It makes for an interesting amalgamation of fantasy genrae.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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:
No
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
Yes
fun and creative, I hope there’s an eventual return to this world and these characters!
Absolutely adored this book. I read it in a day, a work day. The writing is good, simple, nothing too flowery or flashy, but solid. The story is fabulous! Not easily predictable, but enough foreshadowing that you guess enough to stay hooked. I love how the author worked stories and myths in everywhere, you get stories within a story. It is absolutely magical.
Plus there’s a dog that somehow manages to be your favorite character. Glimpses into Native American culture, which I encounter so rarely, but adored. And a male best friend that doesn’t evolve into a love interest.
It’s just all around fantastic. A wonderful, exciting, yet strangely soothing and grounding read. 100% recommend that everyone read Elatsoe.
Plus there’s a dog that somehow manages to be your favorite character. Glimpses into Native American culture, which I encounter so rarely, but adored. And a male best friend that doesn’t evolve into a love interest.
It’s just all around fantastic. A wonderful, exciting, yet strangely soothing and grounding read. 100% recommend that everyone read Elatsoe.