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A review by huichola
The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
First off, tlazocamati to NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC!
I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was when I saw this book on NetGalley. I've been waiting my whole life for a NATIVE ROMANCE by a NATIVE AUTHOR!! And Danica Nava delivered!!!
It was so refreshing and special to be in these cultural references, the slang, the lived experiences of a mixed Native woman, and everything else that came with this novel. The story of Danuwoa and Ember was so cute, I was immediately hooked. The pacing was good and I stayed entertained throughout. I just at times felt it was a bit hard to suspend my disbelief with the plot, and I thought that the lie of Ember saying she was white for the job would factor into the story more but it didn't. I wish there had been a bit more in terms of convo around race, identity, assimilation, etc. through the lens of Ember's new experiences in a predominantly white space. She experienced a lot of microaggressions but I ultimately feel they were learning moments for the audience and didn't build towards much in the plot.
Overall, I think Danica Nava has some room to grow as a novelist but wow, what a debut. I really can't wait to see how she grows in her writing, her storytelling, and her artistry -- and I hope to see more romances (or even just fiction in general) from her in the near future!
I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was when I saw this book on NetGalley. I've been waiting my whole life for a NATIVE ROMANCE by a NATIVE AUTHOR!! And Danica Nava delivered!!!
It was so refreshing and special to be in these cultural references, the slang, the lived experiences of a mixed Native woman, and everything else that came with this novel. The story of Danuwoa and Ember was so cute, I was immediately hooked. The pacing was good and I stayed entertained throughout. I just at times felt it was a bit hard to suspend my disbelief with the plot, and I thought that the lie of Ember saying she was white for the job would factor into the story more but it didn't. I wish there had been a bit more in terms of convo around race, identity, assimilation, etc. through the lens of Ember's new experiences in a predominantly white space. She experienced a lot of microaggressions but I ultimately feel they were learning moments for the audience and didn't build towards much in the plot.
Overall, I think Danica Nava has some room to grow as a novelist but wow, what a debut. I really can't wait to see how she grows in her writing, her storytelling, and her artistry -- and I hope to see more romances (or even just fiction in general) from her in the near future!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Classism