A review by shelvesofivy
Something Kindred by Ciera Burch

emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.5

First off, thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for this e-arc! 

This book, on the surface, is a contemporary, magical realism story, but it's also so much more than that. It held so much depth with the town's history, the intergenerational traumas and relationships, and the coming-of-age aspects of Jericka's story. 

While this book technically includes a sapphic romance, it's definitely not the focus. Burch nailed each and every relationship written between Jericka and those in her life. She handled themes of family, forgiveness, and grief in such candid and beautiful ways. 

There were times that the pacing and scene/chapter transitions felt choppy to me, but the emotional beats and prose were so strong otherwise. I'm also not usually a huge fan of endings that
leave as many things "unresolved,"
but it truly works for this story. It feels like the right ending after everything. 

Overall, this book had so many strengths that it's hard to put them all into words. 
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