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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I wasn’t drawn into the belief systems or spookiness
I didn't really like this one. First of all, it's a horror novel that's not scary. Yes, there's all sorts of weird deaths and a mystery, but none of it ever felt urgent. Even when Louie was directly involved in a situation, the narration felt detached and distant. This may be because I read the audiobook and the reader for Louie has a very sonorous, soothing voice? Perhaps it's better if read physically.
Really the true horror of the novel is the astounding fatphobia. I didn't really like how Ern was described at any point in the novel, but the end really just tipped it over into being cartoonishly hateful. I understand that the novel centers on themes of balance and greed, and that caricatures of fat people are the go-to to do that, but the fact that it's common doesn't make it any less atrocious. Particularly given the frequency of reservations being food deserts and the resultant higher levels of obesity among Natives, to act like being fat is not only a moral failing but also a betrayl of his people is just gross.
Noemi's grief, the discussion of the desecration of Native remains both literally and as a commentary on the horror trope, the discussion of gambling rights affecting reservations, and the creature itself are all interesting, but not enough to make up for the rest of the book, especially when I could be reading Stephen Graham Jones, Angeline Boulley, or Cherie Dimaline instead. I feel inclined to give the book 1 ⭐️, but that feels too harsh because 1⭐️ usually means I hate a book, and I don't feel anything for this one. Which honestly might be worse. So yeah, 1⭐️ I guess
Really the true horror of the novel is the astounding fatphobia. I didn't really like how Ern was described at any point in the novel, but the end really just tipped it over into being cartoonishly hateful. I understand that the novel centers on themes of balance and greed, and that caricatures of fat people are the go-to to do that, but the fact that it's common doesn't make it any less atrocious. Particularly given the frequency of reservations being food deserts and the resultant higher levels of obesity among Natives, to act like being fat is not only a moral failing but also a betrayl of his people is just gross.
Noemi's grief, the discussion of the desecration of Native remains both literally and as a commentary on the horror trope, the discussion of gambling rights affecting reservations, and the creature itself are all interesting, but not enough to make up for the rest of the book, especially when I could be reading Stephen Graham Jones, Angeline Boulley, or Cherie Dimaline instead. I feel inclined to give the book 1 ⭐️, but that feels too harsh because 1⭐️ usually means I hate a book, and I don't feel anything for this one. Which honestly might be worse. So yeah, 1⭐️ I guess
Five pages in and I'm stopping because I haaaaate the writing style already.
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
mysterious
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes