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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
TW: Assault, rape, drug use, drug overdose, death of a child, alcoholism, violence
So... I was interested in everything about this story BUT the mystery. The start of the story I was pumped! I thought it was going along the lines of a Native American Vigilatie superhero, but the vigilatie storyline quickly fell on the backburner. This book coverd so many topics that I wanted us to delve deeper into and the mystery to me became such an afterthought. It also didn't help that I solved the mystery as soon as the character was introduced. I was told that there will be a book 2 so I am hoping that this was more laying the foundation and the next set of books will kick ass like I know they can!
So... I was interested in everything about this story BUT the mystery. The start of the story I was pumped! I thought it was going along the lines of a Native American Vigilatie superhero, but the vigilatie storyline quickly fell on the backburner. This book coverd so many topics that I wanted us to delve deeper into and the mystery to me became such an afterthought. It also didn't help that I solved the mystery as soon as the character was introduced. I was told that there will be a book 2 so I am hoping that this was more laying the foundation and the next set of books will kick ass like I know they can!
I have to say, I enjoyed this story immensely, but most of the transitions felt weak to me, the author did too much explaining at times, and I felt a bit robbed by that. Still, being from New Mexico and familiar with “Rez” life, this book oddly enough nevertheless rang true and holds a close place in my heart.
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
2021 reading challenge category: A book written by an indigenous author
I wanted to like this book so bad, but I just didn't. The setup is painfully obvious from the beginning, which left me SO FRUSTRATED with Virgil for not seeing it. The inciting incident makes absolutely zero sense; the kid doesn't seem to be doing drugs AT ALL and then just dives straight into overdosing on heroin? Also, there's Marie. She gets a good climactic moment but she would have been more interesting overall as a misguided or even unwitting villain above the real villain, who ultimately falls more into the "evil monologue and cackling laughter" category. This is the author's debut novel, so I'd be interested in seeing how his writing matures, but I wasn't very impressed by this.
I wanted to like this book so bad, but I just didn't. The setup is painfully obvious from the beginning, which left me SO FRUSTRATED with Virgil for not seeing it. The inciting incident makes absolutely zero sense; the kid doesn't seem to be doing drugs AT ALL and then just dives straight into overdosing on heroin? Also, there's Marie. She gets a good climactic moment but she would have been more interesting overall as a misguided or even unwitting villain above the real villain, who ultimately falls more into the "evil monologue and cackling laughter" category. This is the author's debut novel, so I'd be interested in seeing how his writing matures, but I wasn't very impressed by this.
I didn't dislike this book but I didn't love it either. It was underwhelming. It had some great social commentary and important insight into the long-term effects that settler colonialism has on the indigenous community. The end was fast paced, exciting, and satisfactory. But the writing was stilted, the dialogue was awkward, and it took a long time to tell every part of the story. Some of it felt unrealistic (particularly the speed with which Nathan got involved). I also wanted more on Marie after what she'd been through.
The execution wasn't stellar, but the concept and importance of this story was great. I hope to read more by this author and see how his writing skills sharpen in the future. The author's note was also really informative about life on the Reservation for Indigenous people.
Trigger warnings:
Mentions of sexual assault, violence, loss of a loved one, drug use, overdose, generational trauma due to settler colonialism, alcoholism, gentrification, domestic violence, mention of suicide, child death, kidnapping, graphic violence/torture, murder.
The execution wasn't stellar, but the concept and importance of this story was great. I hope to read more by this author and see how his writing skills sharpen in the future. The author's note was also really informative about life on the Reservation for Indigenous people.
Trigger warnings:
Mentions of sexual assault, violence, loss of a loved one, drug use, overdose, generational trauma due to settler colonialism, alcoholism, gentrification, domestic violence, mention of suicide, child death, kidnapping, graphic violence/torture, murder.
Too YA for me. The story is a little bit plain and the characters are plain as well.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Enjoyed this read. Would warn readers to pay attention to CW mentioned in blurb and more: heroin, drug abuse, alcoholism, suicidal ideations, violence, police injustice. Also read all the way to the end to hear the author’s notes regarding reservation life and history.
Based on some Bookstagrammer's chat, I quickly snagged this one on audiobook.
What I loved:
What I loved:
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes