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shewriteswithknives's review
5.0
I loved this book!
Kari is sarcastic, sharp-witted, and an overall badass with a dark past and thrust that can only be quenched by a Bud Light and shot of whiskey. Her whole life she grew up believing that her mother abandoned her when she was two days old. When her best friend and cousin, Debby, shows up and tells her she found a bracelet that belonged to her mother, things start to get strange. The events send Kari on a wild chase where she is able to uncover the truth of what actually happened to her mother.
For me, this book read as more of a thriller versus a horror novel. It was creepy, it was punk rock and gritty. It was the story I didn't know I needed. While the story elaborates on a creature believed to be myth, what happened to her mother is a very real scenario. Indigenous women go missing every day without a blink of an eye and it is absolutely heartbreaking. Wurth brought that to light in this brilliantly written tale. Because while the book itself is fiction, it all felt too real. I appreciated that there was so much Native lore and legend within this story and was so happy to get more of an inside look at things.
There was a lot of reference to King's The Shining. I used to hate that movie (my step mother forced me to watch it when I was 5 and it traumatized me). But her connection to the story and her own shining was really interesting.
I did not care for Debby's husband. The whole scenario with the three of them was too much drama for me. I think it added depth to Kari though as we got to see that she isn't someone that is going to back down and she speaks whatever it is on her mind.
I highly recommend this book. Whether you're looking for a dark thriller or looking for an Indigenous read, you won't be disappointed. I'm looking forward to reading more of Wurth's work.
Kari is sarcastic, sharp-witted, and an overall badass with a dark past and thrust that can only be quenched by a Bud Light and shot of whiskey. Her whole life she grew up believing that her mother abandoned her when she was two days old. When her best friend and cousin, Debby, shows up and tells her she found a bracelet that belonged to her mother, things start to get strange. The events send Kari on a wild chase where she is able to uncover the truth of what actually happened to her mother.
For me, this book read as more of a thriller versus a horror novel. It was creepy, it was punk rock and gritty. It was the story I didn't know I needed. While the story elaborates on a creature believed to be myth, what happened to her mother is a very real scenario. Indigenous women go missing every day without a blink of an eye and it is absolutely heartbreaking. Wurth brought that to light in this brilliantly written tale. Because while the book itself is fiction, it all felt too real. I appreciated that there was so much Native lore and legend within this story and was so happy to get more of an inside look at things.
There was a lot of reference to King's The Shining. I used to hate that movie (my step mother forced me to watch it when I was 5 and it traumatized me). But her connection to the story and her own shining was really interesting.
I did not care for Debby's husband. The whole scenario with the three of them was too much drama for me. I think it added depth to Kari though as we got to see that she isn't someone that is going to back down and she speaks whatever it is on her mind.
I highly recommend this book. Whether you're looking for a dark thriller or looking for an Indigenous read, you won't be disappointed. I'm looking forward to reading more of Wurth's work.
dian0005's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kenzielireads's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
bayleeengberg's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
piyushn's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sarahrogersx17's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
bioniclib's review
2.0
It was ok. I definitely felt for Kari and the climax was solid but I didn't connect with the story too well. Some of that I blame on editor. They were inconsistent. For example in the first few pages a character is said to be drinking a Miller Light but the next page it's a Bud. Leaving aside the poor taste in both beers, I feel that should have been caught.
As far as scary goes, it had a couple of moments but really wasn't on a Stephen King level, which I read it being compared to.
A random note, though: I loved Kari's taste in music. I've been listening to so much more Megadeth now. I forgot how great a workout band they are!
As far as scary goes, it had a couple of moments but really wasn't on a Stephen King level, which I read it being compared to.
A random note, though: I loved Kari's taste in music. I've been listening to so much more Megadeth now. I forgot how great a workout band they are!
frisby0's review
5.0
Got this book as part of the Fantastic Strangelings book club, and it was fantastic! It takes a lot for a story to squeeze out tears from me, but this one managed to do it. Ugh. It was so good and the best part was that I didn't have any expectations nor inkling of what it was going to be about. Part inner, emotional journey, part horror/ghost story, and even peppered with snarky humor, White Horse was hard to put down and I'm sad it's over. Looking forward to following another indigenous author in a growing list of First Nation people finding their voices and proclaiming them loudly. So much to love here. ♥️