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Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline

37 reviews

kumquats87's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25


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jourdanicus's review

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Really good. I'm not well versed in werewolf stories but found I didn't need to be to enjoy this book. I found it the perfect balance of plot and character (maybe leaning more toward plot though). If anything I actually wish it had been longer... By the last few moments I was thinking "what, it's over already?! I want more!"

I enjoy Cherie Dimaline's work and will definitely be picking up more by her.

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emsim's review

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0


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tree_star's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense

5.0

The only thing I didn't like about this book is the 30 seconds of on page pet murder. Oh hey, CW: Pet abuse/ murder, blood, substance abuse, religious abuse.

I loved this book. I was drawn into the story from the start and kept getting sucked in further and further and actually holding my breath there at the end-!

Scary but unexpected in its execution, the Monster discovery is thrilling, mysterious, and intrepid. 
These characters are as flawed as they are likeable, and the storytelling is just magnificent. 

Solid 5 stars. 

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hctown's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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? No

5.0


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singalana's review

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25


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mr_cain's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.5


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solenekeleroux's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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

5.0


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laurenleigh's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I think this was a rec from @boxcarsewing? So glad I finally got around to it! This was a thrilling take on the rougarou legend. Rougarous are mythical creatures similar to a werewolf, and they’re often used in cautionary tales to inspire obedience and fear, especially for children. So fascinating to see how this plays into the issues indigenous people face in Canada and northern US. Dimaline especially explores the heterogeneity of indigenous groups, and how not everyone agrees what is best (e.g. Should a Native person take a well-paying job to better support their family if it’s at the mines that are destroying their ancestral lands?). The plot pacing was very well-done, and oof that ending really got to me!! Did not see that one coming. Content warning for a fair amount of sexual content, FYI.

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cathepsut's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A husband disappeared — or did he?

This is not a typical werewolf story. If you are looking for Urban Fantasy, this is definitely not it. It is a story by an indigenous Canadian writer, based on traditional folkore about the Rogarou (from the French word for werewolf, loup-garou) and then some. And a very real topic concerning indigenous people in Canada today.

I was a little lukewarm about this throughout, but the last third of the novel made up for it. That part was excellent and I couldn‘t put it down anymore. The changing points of view made for an exciting read and the ending and epilogue gave it a great and suspenseful finish.

Things I looked up during my read — from here on there are spoilers:

Here is an somewhat spoilerish interview with Dimaline where she describes how she came to write a novel about a Rogarou: https://electricliterature.com/cherie...

The novel might be adapted for the small screen: https://deadline.com/2021/07/kai-wu-c...

Towards the end of the novel there is a quote from a poem:

I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;
I know the voices dying with a dying fall
Beneath the music from a farther room.
               So how should I presume?


It’s from The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T. S. ELIOT
(https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poet...)

Some thoughts on Joan:

Joan‘s last name, Beausoliel: is that a anglicized version of „beau soleil“, aka beautiful sun?

Joan of Arcand = Joan of Arc… as in: she is supposed to deliver her region and people from the invading mining companies, etc.?

Joan‘s red coat — a hint at Litte Red Riding Hood? Considering some events in this book, it feels like a re-telling of that fairytale, at least in parts. Intermingled with that Rogarou folkore.

“What big teeth you have," said Little Red Riding Hood her voice quivering slightly.
"The better to eat you with, my dear," roared the wolf…“


Here is an online version of Little Red Riding Hood: https://www.grimmstories.com/language...

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