I actually thought this was a stunning novel about a young boy struggling to find his place with his whakapapa always on his mind, the weight of expecI actually thought this was a stunning novel about a young boy struggling to find his place with his whakapapa always on his mind, the weight of expectations of his family, and how adrift he feels in his new school surroundings. It was a really good exploration of how youth can become disconnected from the past as they work to adapt to the harsh realities of a new environment. The more time Te Arepu spent away from his home and family, the more he began to identify as Devon. There are some graphic sex scenes, issues with consent, adult figures exploiting teens, and frequent drug use. I thought the characters were utterly engaging and loved the way they connected with each other both in his home town and at the boarding school. In parts the writing was wonderful however, I couldn't get enough sense of when this story took place with some mixed messages throughout. Still thoroughly enjoyed this one....more
I went into this hoping for a tense and emotional conflict between black men who dare to have self-determination on their minds and those who4.5 Stars
I went into this hoping for a tense and emotional conflict between black men who dare to have self-determination on their minds and those who need to bend others to their will and uphold the values of a conservative Southern community. I was rewarded with all of this and more. Love marred by obsession and cruelty, the desperate plight to carve a meaningful existence in the post war construction era, and loneliness born from lack of connection to name a few. So many feelings. I'm emotionally exhausted.
Prentiss and Landry are finally free men after the surrender of the Confederacy that ended the American Civil War. The bond between them was so well written and this drew me into the story. The evolution of George and Isabelle over the course of the story was devastatingly beautiful and I loved how this unfolded so gently.
This is not without its flaws but what an amazing debut. This incredibly well written novel is a slow burn and that may not suit some people as it could feel long. I had nowhere to be in a hurry so I enjoyed the drawn out character studies and the multi POV narration.
CW: (view spoiler)[sexual assault, domestic violence, death of dog by poisoning, lots of talk about suicide (hide spoiler)]
Well that was a superbly crCW: (view spoiler)[sexual assault, domestic violence, death of dog by poisoning, lots of talk about suicide (hide spoiler)]
Well that was a superbly crafted and tense character driven story set in the blistering Australian outback.
Jane's ability to capture settings is remarkable. I could taste the dust and see the shimmering waves of heat. This relentlessly harsh environment helps imbed Readers into the lives of our main characters. We get a real sense of how isolated and trapped people can feel in these small outback communities. I enjoyed that this was a slow burn and the way the layers are almost gently peeled away as we draw closer to the conclusion. Another successful outing with the author....more
I could literally feel myself being drawn slowly into to this story as the three wonderful main characters sleuthed their way into my heart. It actually took until about the 30 percent mark until I felt that the triplets separated out enough into three distinct voices for me. The writing was absolutely brilliant and the relationships between the different characters in the town so vividly captured that I honestly felt like I really understood the dynamics in this suffering community. I thoroughly recommend this novel in which three teens and their mother take on 'big money' in the pursuit of justice....more
Well that was really cute and funny but way too long.
This started out so well and there were a few laugh out loud moments and I absolutely loved the dWell that was really cute and funny but way too long.
This started out so well and there were a few laugh out loud moments and I absolutely loved the dynamics between Chloe and Drew. The story was engaging and the family completely adorable in their craziness. I won't do any spoilers but there was a point where the story could have ended and I would have loved it. But it didn't end. Then there was another point where it could have ended and I would have been happy. But it didn't end. Then there were a few points where it should have ended but it didn't. I started becoming a bit bored with the attempts to wrap everything up so neatly because the story really started to drag for me. I think it needed an editor to cut chunks out of that last section so it didn't lose the wonderful tone and pace it had throughout the first three-quarters. Still a lovely read....more
CW: (view spoiler)[Domestic abuse, alcoholism, mention of honour killings, anxiety, bullying, mental health issues (hide spoiler)]
“One day I will chanCW: (view spoiler)[Domestic abuse, alcoholism, mention of honour killings, anxiety, bullying, mental health issues (hide spoiler)]
“One day I will change the world. Not only for my younger sister and my daughter, but for all women. I will lay the foundations and change the world.”
Well that was a painful and emotional but ultimately empowering verse novel.
I think the author did a remarkable job of drawing Readers into the story. When the main characters hurt so did I, when they were made to feel small I cried, and when they raged I was right there with them raising my fist. I think having multiple women narrate the story was amazing because we saw the generational differences in the ways the women thought and felt about their place within their community, and their expectations for the future. It also looks at the cultural clashes that can occur when first generation children grow up in society vastly different from that of their parents. I liked the dichotomy between the ‘father’ and the ‘respected community leader’. Through this the author really shone a light on how certain unacceptable behaviours can be hidden from public view. From my understanding this is an own voice story so I again feel privileged to have had a glimpse into a culture different to my own. An emotional story about abused women who rise and rebel.
Note: I think this needs to be read as opposed to listened to as I suspect there are some visual text elements that are part of the storytelling as is often the case in free verse novels.
A thoroughly enjoyable book. I loved the bond between Razia and her sisCW: (view spoiler)[Sexual violence, rape of minor, exploitation (hide spoiler)]
A thoroughly enjoyable book. I loved the bond between Razia and her sisters. The connection they felt with each other through being hijra (assigned male at birth but have had an operation and treatments that allow them to live as transfeminine women) means the depth of love and understanding they have for each other makes them true sisters in their eyes. The relationship between Razia and Arjun developed naturally and was quite sweet but there was a bit of instalove and instatrust that did feel a bit off given that revealing her identity was life threatening. This is not a fantasy in the truest sense of the word as aside from the zahhaks presence (dragons), no magic existed (well not in the first book anyway). I thought Razia was an engaging main character and found her to be a strong, intelligent and confident woman. I think there were some pacing issues and there were a few points that were a bit laboured for me. The last quarter of the book was really exciting which elevated this book from a 3.5 to a 4 Star for me. I also think diversity is important as everyone should be able to see themselves represented in novels. I look forward to reading the next book....more
CW: There were some unpleasant attitudes to the role of women and a lack of regard for the lives of black people in the community. Some of these attitCW: There were some unpleasant attitudes to the role of women and a lack of regard for the lives of black people in the community. Some of these attitudes didn’t seem to fit with the 1990s as Fiona expressed in her earlier review. Shout out to the Cantabs!
CW: (view spoiler)[ Rape, horrible killing of black man with racist motivations, suicide attempt, suicides as a result of their emotional state after vampire attacks. (hide spoiler)]
Well y’all aside from some of the things described in the content warning this was a great book! I mean seriously, middle aged book club housewives turned vampire slayers? Brilliant! I was pretty stressed during some really tense moments which is a refreshing change as I rarely find supposed thrillers all that thrilling but during the attic scene I was a bundle of nerves. To me this was perfect as an audiobook as it really gave you a sense of the different characters due to the excellent voice acting. I like how the story took place over a number of years as I felt quite immersed in the lives of the people in the community. I gotta say that was seriously the best (view spoiler)[dispatching of a villain I have ever read. They were so practical, calm and efficient. It was hilarious when they were discussing different cleaning methods. (hide spoiler)] Women rule! I thoroughly recommend this book for 16+ and am adding it to my favourites....more
**spoiler alert** Challenging Content: Disabled people are killed because they don't fit with the idea of a superior race. **spoiler alert** Challenging Content: Disabled people are killed because they don't fit with the idea of a superior race. ...more
**spoiler alert** CW: Detailed sex scenes, death of loved ones from AIDS, intentional overdose to end his own suffering and spare his loved ones watch**spoiler alert** CW: Detailed sex scenes, death of loved ones from AIDS, intentional overdose to end his own suffering and spare his loved ones watching his slow deterioration, homophobia....more
CW: (view spoiler)[This book has a lot of trauma in it - rape, suicide, death of children, medical experiments (hide spoiler)]
4 Stars
Well that was fasCW: (view spoiler)[This book has a lot of trauma in it - rape, suicide, death of children, medical experiments (hide spoiler)]
4 Stars
Well that was fascinating!
What a powerful story of resilience and determination. I had no idea that there was a community of people in Kentucky that, due to a rare genetic trait, had blue skin. They were discriminated against and were the subject of some medical studies. I loved Cussy as she was fiercely intelligent and driven, despite the harsh and limiting environment she was raised in. This is a slow-burn story focused on Cussy as she establishes herself as a Pack-Horse Librarian and seeks to open up other women's world's through reading. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction and stories of women overcoming significant difficulties and challenges.
FYI: If you google blue people you will get lots of information on the Avatar movie so make sure to add "Kentucky" in your search. ...more
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