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A review by arha
Black Bird, Blue Road by Sofiya Pasternack
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This is an inventive and engaging fantasy novel. It's technically historical fiction, but the author clearly explains in an afterward what is actually known about the Khazar empire (very little) and what she made up (quite a lot), and some cultural details are clearly anachronistic. As fantasy, it's super fun. I read this as an adult and the magical creatures and mystical worlds will stay with me for a long time.
It's very well-written, and I was particularly impressed by the structure and pacing. This would have been very inspiring to me as a 12-year-old aspiring author.
It's also a book about a terminally ill child written by an ICU nurse. I've never been gravely ill myself, but based on my friends' experiences, I would recommend it for children whose siblings or friends are dying, but it may be more hit-or-miss for children facing their own deaths.
This book treats its themes around death and religious ritual with depth and sincerity without becoming dull or depressing. I would strongly recommend this as a discussion book for the lead-up to the Jewish High Holy Days.
It's very well-written, and I was particularly impressed by the structure and pacing. This would have been very inspiring to me as a 12-year-old aspiring author.
It's also a book about a terminally ill child written by an ICU nurse. I've never been gravely ill myself, but based on my friends' experiences, I would recommend it for children whose siblings or friends are dying, but it may be more hit-or-miss for children facing their own deaths.
This book treats its themes around death and religious ritual with depth and sincerity without becoming dull or depressing. I would strongly recommend this as a discussion book for the lead-up to the Jewish High Holy Days.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child death, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Terminal illness