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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
I was curious about this book after watching the CW adaptation Trickster this season. I found the book to be a well-written page turner, if unusually graphic (in a non-gory way) for a clearly teen book. All the characters have potty mouths to an impressive degree... There must have been 30 curses per page. But the dark humor was satisfying and Jared was sympathetic. The fantasy element is almost non-existant and I'm curious to see how that evolves throughout the trilogy.
This book has me torn.
On the one hand, I am really happy it didn't gloss over what it' like for many first nation youth. I work with first nation youth and that's a topic which has come up many times in conversations. They feel frustrated because if there is a first nation youth in a book they are often presented as the "spiritual being" or the "Warrior" or some other hollywood image of what it's like to be first nation.
On the other hand there were many parts that seemed to be almost 2 different stories in one. One story being a drama about what it's like for a youth to live in a first nation community, and the other of the spiritual awakening of a youth. At times they fit together, but at other times I totally forgot about the fact there was any connection with the spiritual world.
I will say, I liked the book more the father I read, but even with the ending I kind of felt like there wasn't much of a build up to the climax, and I'm not really sure which part was suppose to be the climax.
At the moment I'm kind of chalking this book up as the set up for the next book. I know that does happen some times with trilogies/ series where the first book needs to set the stage for what's to come later on. So maybe that's what's happening in this book.
Either way I'm rating this a 3 because I didn't feel like I was dragging myself through the book to finish, but it also didn't have me looking for time to read the book because I needed to find out what happened next.
On the one hand, I am really happy it didn't gloss over what it' like for many first nation youth. I work with first nation youth and that's a topic which has come up many times in conversations. They feel frustrated because if there is a first nation youth in a book they are often presented as the "spiritual being" or the "Warrior" or some other hollywood image of what it's like to be first nation.
On the other hand there were many parts that seemed to be almost 2 different stories in one. One story being a drama about what it's like for a youth to live in a first nation community, and the other of the spiritual awakening of a youth. At times they fit together, but at other times I totally forgot about the fact there was any connection with the spiritual world.
I will say, I liked the book more the father I read, but even with the ending I kind of felt like there wasn't much of a build up to the climax, and I'm not really sure which part was suppose to be the climax.
At the moment I'm kind of chalking this book up as the set up for the next book. I know that does happen some times with trilogies/ series where the first book needs to set the stage for what's to come later on. So maybe that's what's happening in this book.
Either way I'm rating this a 3 because I didn't feel like I was dragging myself through the book to finish, but it also didn't have me looking for time to read the book because I needed to find out what happened next.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes
Eden Robinson storytelling is incredible, unique and her creativity is of another world. Ideally it wouldn't be so rare to be reading about an Indigenous teenager living in BC, but it is and it's such a welcome change. This book is full of awful events and people, traditional indigenous culture, magic, sex, familial love and first romantic love. It is both explicit and beautiful and well worth your time. It should have won the Giller Prize this year.
3.5 stars
Unfortunately, I think I hyped this book up too much in my mind before reading it. It was definitely not what I expected. Loved some parts and didn't much like others. Given the ending, however, I am quite excited to see what comes next in the trilogy!
Unfortunately, I think I hyped this book up too much in my mind before reading it. It was definitely not what I expected. Loved some parts and didn't much like others. Given the ending, however, I am quite excited to see what comes next in the trilogy!
3.5 - this one is hard to rate, I really like the writing style, however found the story started off slower. Jared's life can be difficult to read about - neglect, abuse, heavy substance use, it's not an easy read seeing him try and make it through high-school. I enjoyed the magical elements as they popped up and the trickster storyline that comes to at the end has me excited to see where the trilogy goes!
A depressing ‘slice of life’ grind with fantastic characters, just the right edge of dark humor, and a sloooow burn of fantastical, magical mystery that left me with more questions than answers. Loved it. Loved every second of it. It’s definitely not going to be everyone’s cup of tea but I couldn’t put it down.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes