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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
I'm not sure how exactly to rate this. It took me a long time to get into the story at all, at least 30 percent of the way in. There are a lot of characters and a lot of threads that need to be followed, and there's so much woven into the story--things from history, hints of current events, Cherokee culture, the child welfare system.
By the time I was 75 percent into the book, I was starting to be really impressed and began to make comparisons between this and _Sharks in the Time of Saviors_, which will probably be on the list of top reads for my year. Both books look at modern and historical lenses about the effects of colonialism and racism on indigenous people, legend, sense of place (or displacement), and magical realism. One of them just does it far better than the other.
Considering how pleased I was feeling at the 3/4 mark, I was expecting the book to finish strong. However, all of the characters and threads basically hung there, without being woven together at the end or having their own resolutions. It was a bit of a disappointment.
(Plus, there were some weird hints of Alyssa Cole's When No One Is Watching meets Jumanji that never manifested either.)
What I really wanted more of were the legends and history from Tsala and more of Maria and Wyatt's story in the book.
By the time I was 75 percent into the book, I was starting to be really impressed and began to make comparisons between this and _Sharks in the Time of Saviors_, which will probably be on the list of top reads for my year. Both books look at modern and historical lenses about the effects of colonialism and racism on indigenous people, legend, sense of place (or displacement), and magical realism. One of them just does it far better than the other.
Considering how pleased I was feeling at the 3/4 mark, I was expecting the book to finish strong. However, all of the characters and threads basically hung there, without being woven together at the end or having their own resolutions. It was a bit of a disappointment.
(Plus, there were some weird hints of Alyssa Cole's When No One Is Watching meets Jumanji that never manifested either.)
What I really wanted more of were the legends and history from Tsala and more of Maria and Wyatt's story in the book.
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Upping to 5 stars for the way the Darkening Land story line has stayed with me
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed the book, there were a lot of ideas and moments that were interesting and deeply felt.
I don't think I ever thought about music and racism and art like this before.
His family and the family suing him were so irredeemably bad, it felt a little cartoonish. Although I can see how a family who is used to being selfish would not be able to recognize the talent and not care about the emotional significance of the violin.
The ending definitely didn't feel fully earned. That is a heck of a lot of effort and time the girlfriend invested in a pretty dumb scheme.
Borrowed from library, probably don't need to buy. May be worth a re-read at some point.
I don't think I ever thought about music and racism and art like this before.
His family and the family suing him were so irredeemably bad, it felt a little cartoonish. Although I can see how a family who is used to being selfish would not be able to recognize the talent and not care about the emotional significance of the violin.
The ending definitely didn't feel fully earned. That is a heck of a lot of effort and time the girlfriend invested in a pretty dumb scheme.
Borrowed from library, probably don't need to buy. May be worth a re-read at some point.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Listened on audio
There are things I liked & disliked about this book.
I liked:
•the story
•multi-narrative writing style
•symbolism
I disliked:
•the disconnect between the story & the depth of feeling from the characters
The dislike was a big issue for me because it really stopped me from getting into this story & enjoying it.
I liked:
•the story
•multi-narrative writing style
•symbolism
I disliked:
•the disconnect between the story & the depth of feeling from the characters
The dislike was a big issue for me because it really stopped me from getting into this story & enjoying it.
challenging
dark
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
DNF. I hated the way it was written, the sentences were short and felt a bit immature and the characters were meh. I will say that I don't know if it starts slow and then ramps up, I only made it about a third of the way through.