Take a photo of a barcode or cover
literarycolin 's review for:
Heartwood
by Amity Gaige
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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:
Yes
Heartwood was an above-average read for me. Gaige’s exploration of multiple POVs kept the story engaging and each voice felt distinct and added freshness and depth to the narrative. The characters are diverse and likable, with interesting backstories.
I appreciated that the novel is much more than just a straightforward missing-person mystery. Gaige uses the search for Sparrow as a thread to connect the side characters’ lives in an exploration of circumstance, relationships, and personal struggles.
That said, readers looking for a raw, gritty thriller might find this too gentle. It leans more toward light mystery blended with literary fiction. While it never reached a “mind-blowing” level for me, Heartwood was consistently pleasant and interesting enough to keep me turning the pages.
A thoughtful, character-driven story that’s more about connection than suspense.
I appreciated that the novel is much more than just a straightforward missing-person mystery. Gaige uses the search for Sparrow as a thread to connect the side characters’ lives in an exploration of circumstance, relationships, and personal struggles.
That said, readers looking for a raw, gritty thriller might find this too gentle. It leans more toward light mystery blended with literary fiction. While it never reached a “mind-blowing” level for me, Heartwood was consistently pleasant and interesting enough to keep me turning the pages.
A thoughtful, character-driven story that’s more about connection than suspense.