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bikes_books_yarn's review against another edition
3.0
This was a really different read. It's the first novel by Jennifer Stevenson and I think it's pretty darn good for a first novel.
The story is hard to describe. It pretty much centers on Raedawn Somershoe and the people surrounding her. Her family. Her Loves. They all live in trailers on the Fox River and there is magic in the Earth and the women in this spot. Raedawn and her mother Gelia seem to be the epicenter for the magic - but others feel and experience it too.
I feel like if I describe any more of the story than that I will give stuff away - and I think surprise is kind of important for this book. It was really a unique read and although I don't think everyone will enjoy it - I did.
The story is hard to describe. It pretty much centers on Raedawn Somershoe and the people surrounding her. Her family. Her Loves. They all live in trailers on the Fox River and there is magic in the Earth and the women in this spot. Raedawn and her mother Gelia seem to be the epicenter for the magic - but others feel and experience it too.
I feel like if I describe any more of the story than that I will give stuff away - and I think surprise is kind of important for this book. It was really a unique read and although I don't think everyone will enjoy it - I did.
neubprincess's review
One of the best books I’ve ever read. A perfect combo of magic that understandable yet mysterious, beautiful language, wondetfuk characters. Haven’t read a book like it, and the setting of rural riverside southern trailers is one I loved and rarely see, especially for fantasy.
The book felt so real it’s makes me believe the author.
The book felt so real it’s makes me believe the author.
logannium's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
carolsnotebook's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It was beautifully written, the characters were fantastic and I think it is one of the most unusual stories I've read for a long time. At heart, I guess, it's a cross between fantasy and romance.
archergal's review
5.0
The title is pretty descriptive, I think, though there's lots more sex and magic than there is trash. Unless you're of the mindset who think that folks who live poor and have lots of sex are trash, I guess.
There's a lot happening at the turning of the season (from winter to spring) here. There are developers that want to build by the river and run out the "Okies" (the term used a couple of times for the folks living in trailers on the riverbank). One of the guiding spirits of the place has been lost, and another is needed. Spring is coming, and the river may flood.
It's magical realism all the way down, and I liked it very much. The richness and fecundity and mystery of the earth is the backdrop. The women in the story are very much a part of that, though there are fewer "surprise" kids than you might expect from the amount of sex that's going on. And there is a LOT of sex. It's not described graphically, but the two main women (Raedawn and her mother Gelia) seem to be minor sex goddesses (literally goddesses) with the power to call a response from ANY man. And they own their power and are comfortable in it.
The language is equally lush and vivid. I love the idea of spring as a current of electricity running through the land.
Looking at the reviews, it appears that you'll either love this book or hate it. I kinda loved it. It's not the sort of book I'd've picked up by itself, but it was part of a Humble Bundle. I'm glad I read it.
There's a lot happening at the turning of the season (from winter to spring) here. There are developers that want to build by the river and run out the "Okies" (the term used a couple of times for the folks living in trailers on the riverbank). One of the guiding spirits of the place has been lost, and another is needed. Spring is coming, and the river may flood.
It's magical realism all the way down, and I liked it very much. The richness and fecundity and mystery of the earth is the backdrop. The women in the story are very much a part of that, though there are fewer "surprise" kids than you might expect from the amount of sex that's going on. And there is a LOT of sex. It's not described graphically, but the two main women (Raedawn and her mother Gelia) seem to be minor sex goddesses (literally goddesses) with the power to call a response from ANY man. And they own their power and are comfortable in it.
The language is equally lush and vivid. I love the idea of spring as a current of electricity running through the land.
Looking at the reviews, it appears that you'll either love this book or hate it. I kinda loved it. It's not the sort of book I'd've picked up by itself, but it was part of a Humble Bundle. I'm glad I read it.
iguana_mama's review against another edition
5.0
Trash Sex Magic is easily one of the most unusual, original, and most memorable fantasies I've ever read. The writing is gorgeous and poetic, and the images so vivid that I can still hear the river running, smell the flowers and plants, and feel the pain of the tree that was chopped down.
In summary, the story is about a group of people who live on trailers on the bank of a river. The "trash" in the title no doubt means the unkind term of "trailer trash". There is definitely some sex and magic, though none of it is tawdry.
Trash Sex Magic is a beautifully written, warm and unusual novel. I would highly recommend it to fans of unusual literary fantasy who don't mind a touch of romance.
In summary, the story is about a group of people who live on trailers on the bank of a river. The "trash" in the title no doubt means the unkind term of "trailer trash". There is definitely some sex and magic, though none of it is tawdry.
Trash Sex Magic is a beautifully written, warm and unusual novel. I would highly recommend it to fans of unusual literary fantasy who don't mind a touch of romance.
sandyd's review
4.0
Wow. I don't even know how to classify this novel. Fantasy? Magico-realism? Eco-porn?
It definitely has lots of trash, sex, and magic in it. The plot isn't as great as it could be - it's more like a long short story.
I was drawn to this because it's set a stone's throw from where I spent the first 18 years of my life, on the banks of the Fox River in northern IL. The main characters are dirt poor and live in trailers in a small town.
The descriptions of the wildlife, the trees, the fish, the flooding garbage, the spring weather, the riverboat, a construction site, the thunderstorm - Stevenson just got it all right. Except I'm pretty sure there aren't any cottonmouths there. The biologists all say they don't come that far north
Pretty amazing fiction....hard to say if you'll like it. You'll probably either love it or hate it.
It definitely has lots of trash, sex, and magic in it. The plot isn't as great as it could be - it's more like a long short story.
I was drawn to this because it's set a stone's throw from where I spent the first 18 years of my life, on the banks of the Fox River in northern IL. The main characters are dirt poor and live in trailers in a small town.
The descriptions of the wildlife, the trees, the fish, the flooding garbage, the spring weather, the riverboat, a construction site, the thunderstorm - Stevenson just got it all right. Except I'm pretty sure there aren't any cottonmouths there. The biologists all say they don't come that far north
Pretty amazing fiction....hard to say if you'll like it. You'll probably either love it or hate it.
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