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dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a tough one. The writing was beautiful, especially in its descriptions of wild landscapes and wilder creatures. The characters are determined, or careless, or self-deceiving, or vibrantly happy in very real ways.
The story was tragic, indeed; I found much to mourn in the terrors a child endures as well as the pitfalls faced by a single mother in poverty who has an awareness and appreciation for the majesty of nature but not the means to thrive in it. However, bears plus humans equals a drearily predictable outcome. The author’s message? “Appreciate the wilds—wait, no, not like that!”
This was a retelling of Beauty & the Beast, in a way.I spent a hilariously dark few minutes imagining how the author would retell Goldilocks (and then the bears ATE the little girl!) or Red Riding Hood (and then the wolf ate the grandmother, the little girl, and the woodcutter, the end.)
One word summary: infuriating
The story was tragic, indeed; I found much to mourn in the terrors a child endures as well as the pitfalls faced by a single mother in poverty who has an awareness and appreciation for the majesty of nature but not the means to thrive in it. However, bears plus humans equals a drearily predictable outcome. The author’s message? “Appreciate the wilds—wait, no, not like that!”
This was a retelling of Beauty & the Beast, in a way.
One word summary: infuriating
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Gore, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Blood, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a tragic but beautiful book. I loved the setting, the characters, and the magical realism. I loved how things came full circle for Emaleen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This is a beautiful book, but a hard read if you have a deep connection to animals.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow wow wow. The last few pages had me in tears. So beautiful. So poignant. So complete. A truly Great American Novel! My heart feels equal parts shattered and bewitched. And add this to the list of books that make me want to take a trip to Alaska 🥹
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Black Woods, Blue Sky is a hauntingly beautiful novel that blends magical realism with the stark realities of life in Alaska. It captures both the breathtaking beauty and the unforgiving dangers of the wilderness while telling a deeply emotional story about seeking freedom, growing up with little financial means, and the weight of family struggles.
Spooky, heartbreaking, and atmospheric—this book lingers long after the final page.
Check the trigger warnings if you don't like reading about certain themes.
Spooky, heartbreaking, and atmospheric—this book lingers long after the final page.
Check the trigger warnings if you don't like reading about certain themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.25/5 stars rounded down.
I loved this book. I think the only thing preventing me from giving it a higher rating was that the characters weren't as developed as I wished they were and the relationships fell flat to me. They also moved incredibly fast without much pursuit into chemistry or connection.
Besides that, I still really loved these characters. No, they weren't as dynamic as I hoped they would be, but they were still lovable characters in my eyes. I was rooting for them deeply and the end gutted me.
I loved the premise of this book and the whimsical tone that it had. I really appreciated the look into Birdie's struggles internally and externally with being a single mother. Her desire to be independent while still wanting to care for Emaleen and the mistakes that she made along the way.
I loved this book. I think the only thing preventing me from giving it a higher rating was that the characters weren't as developed as I wished they were and the relationships fell flat to me. They also moved incredibly fast without much pursuit into chemistry or connection.
Besides that, I still really loved these characters. No, they weren't as dynamic as I hoped they would be, but they were still lovable characters in my eyes. I was rooting for them deeply and the end gutted me.
I loved the premise of this book and the whimsical tone that it had. I really appreciated the look into Birdie's struggles internally and externally with being a single mother. Her desire to be independent while still wanting to care for Emaleen and the mistakes that she made along the way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Birdie is a terrible mother, justice for Emaleen
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Drug use, Blood, Death of parent, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Heartbreaking and beautiful book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Injury/Injury detail
I recommend this book