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A review by christygoldsmith
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
5.0
This book has absolutely everything that makes a fabulous young adult novel. It's a clever concept that is situated in a historically marginalized culture. The language is beautiful--just enough ACT/SAT words peppered in with beautiful images in a readable syntax. It's perfectly paced, neither speeding through exciting parts nor dragging in expository moments. It has a touch of a love story (a touch too much for me, but that's my personal preference). It's edgy in that there is (sometimes harshly described) trauma, a variety of both friendly and romantic relationships, and a clear statement on the tragedy of how we've treated our earth. It's a perfect length.
There are a few cringe moments (usually when French is relating his inner dialogue) that seem sort of like an adult writing teen dialogue, and those moments might make the text age poorly. BUT the other points--especially the reverence with which the author treats Indigenous peoples' stories and histories--will make it endure at least in my mind for quite some time.
This exaltation, especially, will stick with me: “Where you’ve nothing else, construct ceremonies out of the air and breathe upon them.”
In short, I love it and I advise adults and teens alike to read it.
There are a few cringe moments (usually when French is relating his inner dialogue) that seem sort of like an adult writing teen dialogue, and those moments might make the text age poorly. BUT the other points--especially the reverence with which the author treats Indigenous peoples' stories and histories--will make it endure at least in my mind for quite some time.
This exaltation, especially, will stick with me: “Where you’ve nothing else, construct ceremonies out of the air and breathe upon them.”
In short, I love it and I advise adults and teens alike to read it.