A review by laurenleigh
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This novel takes place in a slightly off center version of the US where there’s a little magic, but still a whole lot of bullshit. I love all kinds of magical realism, but I find it especially interesting when it’s subtle like this. Our main character Elatsoe can bring animals back to life in ghost form, and some of her friends have some powers too. She has a dream the night her cousin dies, in which he tells her he was murdered. In a refreshing take, her parents and friends fully believe her, and help her find the truth. My only small issue was that I had trouble following the narrative structure. There were often side stories woven in, and the shifts between main plot and backstory were not always clear to me, especially in audio. Regardlesss, this was a great read with excellent representation!
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