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A review by ida
The Change by Kirsten Miller
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
The seer. The protector. The punisher.
Nessa, Jo and Harriett.
When three women discover the body of a young girl, they start out on a journey to uncover and unravel the insidious network of abuse that has been going on in their community for decades.
This book is magical realism mixed with furious feminism and I loved it. I immediately bought into the whole idea of some women having magical powers and I loved how differently it manifested in the three women.
At times, the pace seemed too slow, and I could have been without some of the background stories of minor characters, although I do think they give a lot of depth to the story. In fact, the flashback chapters were my main gripe with this book - I often spent the first few sentences being confused as to why characters were suddenly in different locations, before realising it was a flashback, so I would have loved some an indication of that in the chapter headings. I listened to the audiobook, so I don't know if there was a visual clue in the printed copy.
The plot is absolutely believable; powerful men doing what they want because no one stops them, and the many instances of bias and outright misogyny is straight out of the real world.
Nessa, Jo and Harriett were all amazing characters, but my favorite by far was Harriett. She had a quiet menace about her, and no qualms about meting out punishment.
I also liked how, towards the end, a lot of hints were dropped, just enough to keep you on your toes, and although could tell where the story was going, it was a joy to be confirmed in my hunches, definitely foreshadowing done right! And there was a twist I didn't see coming, much like the characters themselves.
All in all a really great book, but tw for sexual abuse, violence against women, and graphic violence to name a few. It will make you sad, it will make you angry, and it will make you want to be as kick ass as Harriett Osbourne.
Nessa, Jo and Harriett.
When three women discover the body of a young girl, they start out on a journey to uncover and unravel the insidious network of abuse that has been going on in their community for decades.
This book is magical realism mixed with furious feminism and I loved it. I immediately bought into the whole idea of some women having magical powers and I loved how differently it manifested in the three women.
At times, the pace seemed too slow, and I could have been without some of the background stories of minor characters, although I do think they give a lot of depth to the story. In fact, the flashback chapters were my main gripe with this book - I often spent the first few sentences being confused as to why characters were suddenly in different locations, before realising it was a flashback, so I would have loved some an indication of that in the chapter headings. I listened to the audiobook, so I don't know if there was a visual clue in the printed copy.
The plot is absolutely believable; powerful men doing what they want because no one stops them, and the many instances of bias and outright misogyny is straight out of the real world.
Nessa, Jo and Harriett were all amazing characters, but my favorite by far was Harriett. She had a quiet menace about her, and no qualms about meting out punishment.
I also liked how, towards the end, a lot of hints were dropped, just enough to keep you on your toes, and although could tell where the story was going, it was a joy to be confirmed in my hunches, definitely foreshadowing done right! And there was a twist I didn't see coming, much like the characters themselves.
All in all a really great book, but tw for sexual abuse, violence against women, and graphic violence to name a few. It will make you sad, it will make you angry, and it will make you want to be as kick ass as Harriett Osbourne.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Trafficking, Drug use, Violence, Murder, Misogyny, Kidnapping, and Sexism
Minor: Car accident