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booksjessreads's review
adventurous
inspiring
sad
fast-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
Katya Balen really has a knack for pulling on the readers heartstrings. This book is so beautiful.
I thought the way that the book was written was creative and excellently depicted the complicated thought processes of someone with anxiety or who is neurodiverse. I certainly related to the writing style a lot. It was told in first person with sentences that flowed with a literary style to the rhythm of a spiral of thoughts. There were also areas where the writing took on more of a verse novel style, or had very large writing for certain words which captured thoughts and feelings visually as well as in the written word.
The story was excellent and there were many moments where I thought the whole thing was simply beautiful. The themes that connected nature, being wild, complicated families and making new friends were all interwoven so well and it crafted such a beautiful world. I thought October's life was also something different and insightful. The themes of being socially excluded, and having to fit in to societal norms is something that a lot of children and adults who read this will identify with. I also found the complicated dynamics of October's family life to be something that people will be able to relate to as well.
Overall, this is beautiful and I can see why it won the Carnegie Award in 2022. I would absolutely recommend!
I thought the way that the book was written was creative and excellently depicted the complicated thought processes of someone with anxiety or who is neurodiverse. I certainly related to the writing style a lot. It was told in first person with sentences that flowed with a literary style to the rhythm of a spiral of thoughts. There were also areas where the writing took on more of a verse novel style, or had very large writing for certain words which captured thoughts and feelings visually as well as in the written word.
The story was excellent and there were many moments where I thought the whole thing was simply beautiful. The themes that connected nature, being wild, complicated families and making new friends were all interwoven so well and it crafted such a beautiful world. I thought October's life was also something different and insightful. The themes of being socially excluded, and having to fit in to societal norms is something that a lot of children and adults who read this will identify with. I also found the complicated dynamics of October's family life to be something that people will be able to relate to as well.
Overall, this is beautiful and I can see why it won the Carnegie Award in 2022. I would absolutely recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Medical content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Blood
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