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timmytunter's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Trent Dalton's "All Our Shimmering Skies" is an absolute gem of a novel that left me thoroughly enchanted and deeply moved. From the very first page, I was drawn into the vibrant and often harrowing world of 12-year-old Molly Hook, a protagonist you can't help but love. Molly is brave, bold, sassy, and honest, but most of all—perhaps unjustifiably so—hopeful. I couldn’t NOT cheer her on earnestly throughout her fantastical journey.
The story's primary antagonist, Molly's cruel uncle, is a proper nasty piece of work. His relentless pursuit of Molly and her unlikely travel companions Yukio and Greta adds a chilling tension to the narrative. Yet, despite the countless harrowing events she witnesses and endures, Molly maintains an inspirationally sunny and pertinacious disposition that lights up the darkest moments of the tale.
Dalton's narrative style is nothing short of magical. His depth of detail breathes vitality into what could become a same-same backdrop of endless Australian bushland. The story reads like something of a myth or legend, with Molly embarking on a treasure hunt guided by the sky itself. The sky "talks" to her and sends her "sky gifts” to aid her along the way. This infusion of wonder and the supernatural into the harsh realities of Molly's life creates a unique and captivating blend that kept me hooked until the very end. Worth noting is that Dalton’s consultation with relevant Aboriginal communities is evident: in weaving the mystical “Longcoat Bob” into his tale, he has demonstrated sensitivity and tact via incorporating aspects of existing Aboriginal lore. Although Dalton’s tale is a work of fiction, and he embellishes his work with flourishes of magical realism, Indigenous culture is referenced respectfully.
"All Our Shimmering Skies" is a beautifully crafted novel that explores themes of hope, resilience, and love. Open your heart to the novel’s protagonists, soak up the arresting imagery, bask in Dalton’s sumptuous language, and lose yourself in a delightful tale. Highly recommended.
The story's primary antagonist, Molly's cruel uncle, is a proper nasty piece of work. His relentless pursuit of Molly and her unlikely travel companions Yukio and Greta adds a chilling tension to the narrative. Yet, despite the countless harrowing events she witnesses and endures, Molly maintains an inspirationally sunny and pertinacious disposition that lights up the darkest moments of the tale.
Dalton's narrative style is nothing short of magical. His depth of detail breathes vitality into what could become a same-same backdrop of endless Australian bushland. The story reads like something of a myth or legend, with Molly embarking on a treasure hunt guided by the sky itself. The sky "talks" to her and sends her "sky gifts” to aid her along the way. This infusion of wonder and the supernatural into the harsh realities of Molly's life creates a unique and captivating blend that kept me hooked until the very end. Worth noting is that Dalton’s consultation with relevant Aboriginal communities is evident: in weaving the mystical “Longcoat Bob” into his tale, he has demonstrated sensitivity and tact via incorporating aspects of existing Aboriginal lore. Although Dalton’s tale is a work of fiction, and he embellishes his work with flourishes of magical realism, Indigenous culture is referenced respectfully.
"All Our Shimmering Skies" is a beautifully crafted novel that explores themes of hope, resilience, and love. Open your heart to the novel’s protagonists, soak up the arresting imagery, bask in Dalton’s sumptuous language, and lose yourself in a delightful tale. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Gore, Suicide, Car accident, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
baikiebookie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, and War
Moderate: Abortion
kiwialexa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, and War
lynnenad's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book was and continues to be very disturbing for me. Some of the scenes of violence will stay with me for a long time and I became angry with the author for the degree of horror introduced. On the other hand, the semi-spiritual mysticism and the whole-hearted embrace of the amazing landscapes of Australia were heartwarming. The plot was simple and so was the theme. Girl looks for sorcerer to remove a curse. On the way she becomes self-enlightened and demonstrates enormous resilience and learns to love again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
carlytenille's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and War
emjrey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape
arohaup's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
In the end I came to like this story but it was very slow through about halfway of the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death of parent and War
isabelv928's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book was super weird, but I ended up really liking the weird. It definitely hits on a lot of very serious issues, but it also highlights some really beautiful topics. I loved the incorporation of Indigenous Australian culture, as well as depictions of Darwin/surrounds. The gravedigger girl really captured my heart by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Violence, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
This entire book contains fairly intense content of different types and I would definitely recommend considering the content warnings before going into it.chethaki's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall I did enjoy this book but I found it quite difficult to get through the first 30% or so of the book. Once I got past that the plot picked up and I found myself way more engaged.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction
zjdhudson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book took me a while to get through but I think that worked in its favour. The book was heavy at times but it worked really well with the pace at which I was reading, it was a real slow burn reading this book and it was so worth it. I think the characters were really interesting and I think the detail put into the environment was fantastic and true to the Australian landscape. I highly recommend this book but make sure you go into it knowing that it’s a heavy read that may take a while otherwise you could easily be put off for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Stalking, Murder, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Gun violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Colonisation