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A review by powerpuffgoat
A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw
2.5
Disappointing. It had great potential, what with the world where it is established that some people have special abilities (like Travis and Bee), and a setting of a secluded commune that lives in fear of the danger outside of its borders.
And then... Meh. The stark change to three narrators wasn't great, especially considering how close they were. They kept recounting the same events, repeating themselves. It made me feel as though the author thinks the readers are unable to follow the story unless reminded what the story is.
The language, particularly from Bee's POV, was kind of... teenage? The long passages about wanting a man, wanting to marry, again and again. Bee was once again a missed opportunity, a blind woman with the ability to hear things she shouldn't. Pining for an alcoholic who speaks fluent exposition.
It's not just him, actually. Everyone is devoid of subtlety, overexplaining the tiniest detail.
But then there are also the inconsistencies within the story. Bee can hear a baby's heartbeat and gender in the womb, yet when it is convenient, someone can sneak up on her to attack?
Toward the end, people just start doing shit for the plot, which adds an extra layer of annoyance.They're all set to leave, but Bee goes to the leader's house to *checks notes* leave a flower there and of course, in spite of her superpower, Eli manages to catch her and trap her in a closet that conveniently can only be opened for outside.
Later, she actively chases after the guy and surprise, surprise, he is stronger than her. He overpowers her and nearly kills her. Meanwhile, her "sister" is shot, but hey, it's the kind of gun wound that only requires a two-day stay at the hospital. And as the commune members emerge in the outside world after missing for years, everyone just kind of goes, "Welp, no follow-up questions!"
And then... Meh. The stark change to three narrators wasn't great, especially considering how close they were. They kept recounting the same events, repeating themselves. It made me feel as though the author thinks the readers are unable to follow the story unless reminded what the story is.
The language, particularly from Bee's POV, was kind of... teenage? The long passages about wanting a man, wanting to marry, again and again. Bee was once again a missed opportunity, a blind woman with the ability to hear things she shouldn't. Pining for an alcoholic who speaks fluent exposition.
It's not just him, actually. Everyone is devoid of subtlety, overexplaining the tiniest detail.
But then there are also the inconsistencies within the story. Bee can hear a baby's heartbeat and gender in the womb, yet when it is convenient, someone can sneak up on her to attack?
Toward the end, people just start doing shit for the plot, which adds an extra layer of annoyance.
Later, she actively chases after the guy and surprise, surprise, he is stronger than her. He overpowers her and nearly kills her. Meanwhile, her "sister" is shot, but hey, it's the kind of gun wound that only requires a two-day stay at the hospital. And as the commune members emerge in the outside world after missing for years, everyone just kind of goes, "Welp, no follow-up questions!"