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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
I thought this was a pretty good book until I had no idea what was happening in the end. It ended abruptly I think unless I'm just not understanding. Anyways, I liked the characters especially Stella.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I expected a book about an environmental catastrophe, but this is actually a sweet character-driven family story set against a backdrop of environmental catastrophe. Gentle & tender, and also dark, with loads of atmosphere and plenty of unexpected, sparkly grace-note moments sprinkled in.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicide, Transphobia, Death of parent
3.5 stars for this one. So beautifully written, Fagan's descriptiveness is stunning. For it being -30 to -50 degrees, I don't understand how the main characters are outside all the time; The science doesn't seem to add up to me. Not much happens in this novel, it's mostly just breathtaking depictions of a stark world. I would've liked to see a little bit more plot and maybe an epilogue as the ending left me with questions.
Is it a good idea to write a review immediately after you have finished a book, when emotions are still running high?
This book was an incredible experience. The cold, quiet landscapes of Northern Scotland left me feeling so very calm. The continuing focus on the everyday lives of the characters, until the very end offered a different perspective on the apocalypse. Despite the horrible reality of the ending, I am left at peace and with a renewed belief in the preciousness of humanity.
This book was an incredible experience. The cold, quiet landscapes of Northern Scotland left me feeling so very calm. The continuing focus on the everyday lives of the characters, until the very end offered a different perspective on the apocalypse. Despite the horrible reality of the ending, I am left at peace and with a renewed belief in the preciousness of humanity.
A typical apocalypse novel this is not. The impending Ice Age that slowly grips the world forms the mere backdrop for this quiet character driven story set in a remote Scottish caravan park.
I loved the clever mirroring of the increasing threat from the freak weather with the obstacles the characters faced - the possible end of the world allegory for the end of Dylan's life as he knew it, and the looming grip of puberty which will transform young trans-girl Stella's body in ways she fears more than anything captured in the spread of lethal ice and snow.
Speaking of Stella, she is utterly fantastic. Feisty, brave, inquisitive, witty and headstrong, she really is the nucleus of the entire book, and it is her you should read this for. There might not be action sequences or high drama, but there is plenty of lush prose describing the frozen world and wonderful dynamics between Stella, her mother Constance and newcomer Dylan, as three lost souls simply try to find their place in a world they no longer understand.
I loved the clever mirroring of the increasing threat from the freak weather with the obstacles the characters faced - the possible end of the world allegory for the end of Dylan's life as he knew it, and the looming grip of puberty which will transform young trans-girl Stella's body in ways she fears more than anything captured in the spread of lethal ice and snow.
Speaking of Stella, she is utterly fantastic. Feisty, brave, inquisitive, witty and headstrong, she really is the nucleus of the entire book, and it is her you should read this for. There might not be action sequences or high drama, but there is plenty of lush prose describing the frozen world and wonderful dynamics between Stella, her mother Constance and newcomer Dylan, as three lost souls simply try to find their place in a world they no longer understand.
Read full review at: Musings Over Nothing
The story set in an 'end of the world' scenario is built around a mother Constance, her daughter Stella (who was her son until a short while ago) and Dylan a young man who has just moved into their neighbourhood. Dylan still grieving the death of his mom and his grandmother, leaves the Babylon movie theatre which was his world until now. He is attracted to Constance, a quirky cool mom who is frowned upon by their mini society for having been in just two relationships in the past 20 years. She is also very protective about her daughter/son Stella, who is being bullied by her former friends.
If you are on the lookout for a complete Doomsday SciFi, then this is not the book for you. Ice Age is a mere backdrop of this well spun story on humans and relationship. In fact, there are inconsistencies in the science and beliefs that we have about ice ages, but those flaws are ignorable for it has some eccentric and interesting characters that make up for it. The characters and the premise are absolutely off the world.
Even with the story moving at a glacial place and that I couldn't relate much to the characters, the poetic writing made me sit through the 300 pages. It handles several difficult themes like coming of age, gender confusion, monogamy, Transgender issues, bullying etc that makes the end-of-the-world seem much less important, intentionally or otherwise.
Bottomline: Read this book if you are interested in the themes like gender confusion, monogamy, Transgender issues, bullying, ignore the slow pace and indulge yourselves in the depth of the writing.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the Random House (publisher) free of cost in return for an honest review.
The story set in an 'end of the world' scenario is built around a mother Constance, her daughter Stella (who was her son until a short while ago) and Dylan a young man who has just moved into their neighbourhood. Dylan still grieving the death of his mom and his grandmother, leaves the Babylon movie theatre which was his world until now. He is attracted to Constance, a quirky cool mom who is frowned upon by their mini society for having been in just two relationships in the past 20 years. She is also very protective about her daughter/son Stella, who is being bullied by her former friends.
If you are on the lookout for a complete Doomsday SciFi, then this is not the book for you. Ice Age is a mere backdrop of this well spun story on humans and relationship. In fact, there are inconsistencies in the science and beliefs that we have about ice ages, but those flaws are ignorable for it has some eccentric and interesting characters that make up for it. The characters and the premise are absolutely off the world.
Even with the story moving at a glacial place and that I couldn't relate much to the characters, the poetic writing made me sit through the 300 pages. It handles several difficult themes like coming of age, gender confusion, monogamy, Transgender issues, bullying etc that makes the end-of-the-world seem much less important, intentionally or otherwise.
Bottomline: Read this book if you are interested in the themes like gender confusion, monogamy, Transgender issues, bullying, ignore the slow pace and indulge yourselves in the depth of the writing.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the Random House (publisher) free of cost in return for an honest review.
In the not too distant future the ice caps melt and icebergs flow past the shores. Snow falls and falls some more with a biting cold beginning to penetrate. Fagan creates, slowly, a future world that is not too dissimilar to our present time. The atmosphere and setting (within a caravan park in Scotland) gave a claustrophobic vibe echoing the sense of future unknowns. This wasn't enough though to carry me through the heavy handed "issue" writing and absence of plot. The book left me untouched and, for all but one of the characters, I really didn't mind it the snow got them!
I've read quite a few apocalypse books and they are usually so damn depressing. This book is an exception, despite the sobering prospect of a coming ice age, because it focuses primarily on the characters rather than their predicament. I especially liked Stella.
This book absolutely blew my expectations out of the water. I was expecting some sort of end of the world story, but what I was rewarded with is a beautiful cast of charming and slightly misfit characters who remind us that our lives still go on even in the face of the next Ice Age. The writing was entrancing and almost lyrical. Stella's characterization and inner thoughts were spot on and Constance's strength in the face of society was inspiring. The plot layers weave together to create a gorgeous array of colors that float readers from page to page.
Full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/?p=272
I received a chance to read this book before release date through the program Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review
Full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/?p=272
I received a chance to read this book before release date through the program Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review