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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Spoiler
3.5 rounded up. Very cool, but something was lacking. The non linear timeline was at times distracting. In the beginning, I was excited for a bit of horror, but I felt like this aspect was not entirely fleshed out. The ending was very good, but I would’ve liked a bit more on the reunion and pre on how Grace found her way back home/what happened to her. Without those details, a central plot point felt a bit empty.
This book follows two siblings who relationship is strained by a changing society/economic landscape, the need to feel included in school, and a new danger introduced into the Dakota reservation (drugs and trafficking). Ultimately it's about a Anna Horn's search for the truth in their younger sister's disappearance. With the back and forth time skips, it is definitely a jarring experience for a majority of Part 1. I definitely, do not recommend the audiobook version for this specific reason. As the book progressed and the relationship between Anna and Grace is more fleshed out, the angrier/more frustrated I became. Man, I really wanted Anna to stand up to the blatant bullying and disrespect given to her by her peers and even her sister. There were many instances where I had to take a few minutes and calm down before continuing. I was super pissed at everyone on Anna's behalf and there was never any real resolution with that which could be represent real-life. I don't want reality; I want revenge!
Moving on, the story itself was just pain and more pain. The author did a wonderful job of showing how the societal landscape of everything was still in its infancy (i.e. the tenseness between the "regular" townsfolk and those of the natives on the nearby reservation). Alot of things infuriated me so much. While rushed, the ending helped to end the story on a more hopeful note. I personally think it lessened the overall message since it was included in like the last paragraph of the story, but what do I know. Overall: 8/10
Moving on, the story itself was just pain and more pain. The author did a wonderful job of showing how the societal landscape of everything was still in its infancy (i.e. the tenseness between the "regular" townsfolk and those of the natives on the nearby reservation). Alot of things infuriated me so much. While rushed, the ending helped to end the story on a more hopeful note. I personally think it lessened the overall message since it was included in like the last paragraph of the story, but what do I know. Overall: 8/10
medium-paced
emotional
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:
Yes
I went into this thinking it was more horror, but mystery would be more accurate. It's heartbreaking and I couldn't put it down. The end left me crying (I cry easily, for every emotion, so take that how you will).
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
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:
No
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:
Yes
2.5⭐️ labeling this as horror is a pretty big stretch. It’s almost more of a coming of age YA story with a small amount of Native lore thrown in. If I hadn’t waited so long for my hold at the library, I most likely would have DNFed.
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated