Reviews

Storming Heaven by Denise Giardina

layton93's review

emotional relaxing 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

4.5

poorlenore's review

5.0

This was just an amazing book. Took a minute to get into but was totally worth it in the end. In a word, "powerful". I feel saddened that I had never heard of the massacre/march this book was based on, from Blair Mountain, and glad that it was assigned in my class. Everyone should read this book.

ajordan60's review

4.0

I almost never give five stars, but I want to give this one four and a half. A beautiful, wrenching tale exquisitely wrought. Reading this novel felt like the mint salve my granny prepared for sweat bee stings. One of those books that holds a mirror to the history that I understand and helps me to understand there is much more to come to know.

amywoolsey_93's review

emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

hfreedman's review

adventurous dark informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

kristinamskinner's review

4.0

I felt intrigued to read a book about events surrounding the Battle of Blair Mountain after it was mentioned in the book, Demon Copperhead. The coal companies' treatment, this war, and the origin of the word 'redneck,' were all briefly discussed at the end of chapter 35 and surprised me. I made a note to learn more.
I chose Giardina's book and I'm glad I did. It may have lacked the details of a non-fiction, but the emotions were felt through her characters. I grew to love each and every one of them. What a trying time! It echoes the familiar stories of the migrant workers in California and 'Oakies' trying to create labor unions. I will admit, it took me about 75 pages in to like the book. I'm glad I trudged through, it was worth it!

michigancolt's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

beccareads1234567's review

5.0

I had to read this for school, and I really liked this book. It had a lot of heart; I also learned more about a part of history that I have never really known about. It is still really sad that all this fighting for change didn't change anything right away. It is so sad to find out that nothing big really happened until the 1980s.
All four perspectives brought different points of view to the story, but my favorite POV was CJ Marcum's. This was because he stood up for what was right not just because of the union but because of who he is and what he stands for. I liked all the perspectives, but we didn't really get to see a lot from Rosa.
Overall a really good book. I was not looking forward to reading this at first, but then when I actually got into the story it really stuck with me.

skepticalri's review

5.0

Incredible fiction account of the making of Appalachia, good and bad.

librarylover2022's review

emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.25