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dangerdog's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Sexual harassment and Vomit
megandherbook's review
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? Yes
4.25
This book built the dread and uneasiness a good horror story can invoke with each page.
Mackenzie, a young Cree woman, is still fresh with the grief of her sisters death. Miles from her family and her home she begins having vivid nightmares where she sees her sister. So vivid that when she wakes up she brings a bit of her dream back; a branch, a crow’s head. When she almost drowns in her dream and wakes up throwing up water she knows this is serious. Then she receives a text from her dead sister, Sabrina. This leads Mackenzie to head home and turn to her family for help, even though there’s some strain between her and them. This will take Mackenzie on a trip down memory lane and must confront her relationship with her family, herself, and the grief she feels for the loss she’s experienced.
I know very little about Cree people but I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in this Cree families life. I loved learning the different words and beliefs and it took me down a research journey. The dynamics in Mackenzie’s family are so beautiful yet heartbreaking but it made me want to join the family nonetheless.
The horror elements in this book I would say are slow burn. It’s more that feeling of dread you get in your gut. At times your heart may speed up but it’s more from the not knowing and mystery of it. The more you learn, you’re still on edge but you are more and more ready to face it which is what Mackenzie experiences.
I truly enjoyed the way this story unfolded. I felt so deeply for Mackenzie and the members of her family. I don’t want to give too much away, but the horror element in this book is so perfect. There’s also a lot of heart and the FMC learns a lesson that will change her life. I highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Minor: Sexual harassment
shadestate's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
What a wonderful, raw exploration of grief, community, and guilt. How avoiding deep pain doesn't make it disappear. It just gets a chance to linger and fester. I loved how Mackenzie, the main character, was deeply flawed. Anxious, avoidant, pushing people away because she feels like a burden. Unable to ask for help. Falling into the trap that pretending you're okay is the same as not making your loved ones worried. Yet still loved by her family and friends. Because we all have our flaws, the bad.
A five of cups book at its core. Definitely want to reread this late October, when I think the pages will speak even more than they did now, at the start of spring.
A five of cups book at its core. Definitely want to reread this late October, when I think the pages will speak even more than they did now, at the start of spring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Abandonment, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Colonisation
Moderate: Mental illness, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Racism, and Child death
Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Body horror, and Murder
lettuce_read's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, and Death
Minor: Alcoholism, Colonisation, and Sexual harassment
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