robotswithpersonality's review against another edition
Not for me. Great writing, compelling set up for a trilogy. It didn't drag, it took the time it needed to get the reader acquainted with who and where the main character is in their life, before starting to hint at what that main character is, who they could be. I have no doubt that the situations described reflect troubled home lives in reality, and the complexity of the situation, still having love for people who don't treat you well, and may therefore act as a balm to those who are healing/can relate or a trigger for empathy among those lucky enough not to experience such first hand, but I have a limit when it comes to encountering this kind of darkness in fiction, and I am not willing to sign myself up for two more books in the same vein. I appreciate being able to read own voices' indigenous characters, rep that is multifaceted in the people presented and how they relate to problems both within their culture and community and how they manage conflict with forces outside it. I might try something else from this author, after a break.
⚠️animal death, dimensia/Alzheimer's, child abuse, underage everything, addiction, racism, suicide attempt
⚠️animal death, dimensia/Alzheimer's, child abuse, underage everything, addiction, racism, suicide attempt
ppierre_r's review against another edition
4.0
It was hard to understand some parts, especially as English is not my birth language, but I loved the topic and the way it was treated.
kateivy's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book is so hard to review, because on the one hand, it was so all over the place. The second half was like a fever dream. I distinctly remember telling myself "I'd like this more if it was weirder" and then it got weirder and I wasn't so sure anymore. However, Jared as a main character was phenomenal. I will continue the series just for him.
starrysheep's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
3.0
the_wistful_word_witch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book made me really sad. It's not at all what I expected. But it's still incredibly well written and you feel like you're right there, going through everything together with Jared, the young protagonist.
Poor Jared's life is all kinds of fucked up, thanks to his parents - the biological and the non-biological - and the world around him - the physical and the metaphysical. Jared's too young to be so jaded and dealing with all the shit he's dealing with in this first book.
His world gets shattered in more ways than one, but there seems to be a big change coming by the end, hopefully for the better in the next two books. But since he's the son of a Trickster, that might not be so easy, if it's even possible...
Poor Jared's life is all kinds of fucked up, thanks to his parents - the biological and the non-biological - and the world around him - the physical and the metaphysical. Jared's too young to be so jaded and dealing with all the shit he's dealing with in this first book.
His world gets shattered in more ways than one, but there seems to be a big change coming by the end, hopefully for the better in the next two books. But since he's the son of a Trickster, that might not be so easy, if it's even possible...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Self harm, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Vomit, Dementia, Toxic friendship, Torture, Medical content, Blood, and Addiction
Moderate: Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, and Animal death
Minor: Cancer
cam356's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
caterina_1212's review against another edition
This is really dark and doesn't feel like fantasy at all.
mandyist's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, this book is dark. A gritty, relentlessly realistic and searing commentary on poverty and addiction, set against a backdrop of First Nations traditions and rituals
zarrazine's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
brennaw's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5