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kbuchanan's review
3.0
There is some truly lovely writing in this novel, and Billingsley's strange imagined, Western-tinged world is a fascinating one. Still, this novel's hard edges and relentless melancholy presented some challenges for motivation as well as some befuddlement as to any source of appeal for younger readers. Quirky and different, but ultimately a bit of a dark horse.
oliviaprowse's review
adventurous
dark
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
ashleyreadsanything's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
5.0
brigittar's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
goldyyy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child death, Death, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
naomiysl's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
5.0
This started slowly, and the narrative voice was unfamiliar enough that I had a hard time getting into it. But by the time I was a few chapters in, the unique storytelling style held my interest, and by halfway through I was extremely invested in every single one of the characters. This is magical realism at it's best, a situation where at any given point I couldn't tell you that it was magic, necessarily. A story about belonging and grief, and finding family, and about betrayal as well. And about inner dialogue and how that can sound inside other people's heads. I love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Kidnapping and Abandonment
scoutabout's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
masalacat's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Loved the stylistic choices of the prose, loved the slow unraveling of character development and plot, loved the warmth that grew throughout the story
notthatbuffy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Death of parent
box43h's review
challenging
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0