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hickorynut 's review for:
Stand on the Sky
by Erin Bow
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Aisulu is the often overlooked daughter in her family, while her brother is due to rise as the head of their community. Though they live in a modern day, their community is extremely secluded and they live the vast majority of their lives in remote gers, working to produce milk from their goat and yak herds alongside their family. It is a labor intensive way of life and Aisulu struggles with feeling unseen and low priority, only feeling alive when she is on horseback. But when her brother is injured after unsuccessfully trying to capture an eagle, she must bring him back home through the wilderness on her own, and her life begins shifting in devastating yet empowering ways.
Aisulu saves an orphaned eaglet and raises him while her brother and parents are seeking medical care, thousands of miles away. Despite being a girl in a position only granted to boys, she pushes through and becomes a true handler and hunter, using her skills to ultimately save and provide for her family.
This was incredibly well done from the portrayal of a sheltered girl to her rise as a confident eagle handler and hunter, and the rippling effects of her presence amongst a male-oriented community. I truly felt the discomfort of Aisulu and her family as they must engage with the modern world and western civilians for the first time, a stark contrast to their secluded lifestyle accessible largely by horseback. Her journey raising the eagle was beautifully explored and the cultural details were very informative and memorable.
"The joy that goes with fear is sometimes called faith."
Aisulu saves an orphaned eaglet and raises him while her brother and parents are seeking medical care, thousands of miles away. Despite being a girl in a position only granted to boys, she pushes through and becomes a true handler and hunter, using her skills to ultimately save and provide for her family.
This was incredibly well done from the portrayal of a sheltered girl to her rise as a confident eagle handler and hunter, and the rippling effects of her presence amongst a male-oriented community. I truly felt the discomfort of Aisulu and her family as they must engage with the modern world and western civilians for the first time, a stark contrast to their secluded lifestyle accessible largely by horseback. Her journey raising the eagle was beautifully explored and the cultural details were very informative and memorable.
"The joy that goes with fear is sometimes called faith."