Reviews

Robinson's writing cuts through to what is real through the magic. Her characters are so true I can fully imagine them as people I may meet. I am eagerly awaiting part 3.

mshusky's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

WOW, this was totally my cat nip, urban fantasy set in Canada.

This was an extremely compelling coming-of-age novel that blends urban realism with Indigenous (Haisla) mythology. Set in Kitimat, BC, is shows how Jared, a teenager grappling with his chaotic life, family issues, deals with the revelation of his supernatural heritage.

There is some dark humour in this book, (and some real laugh out load moments) otherwise it would be grim looking at the life that Jared is dealing with, with his parents being Kidults. His mother loves him, but her love is chaos and shifting, and her advice often platitudinous; and his father is verging on homelessness. His cookie baking money goes first to his father's rent and then his mother's bills. As his Nana succinctly put it "My pretty, pretty enabler. Repeat after me: I’m not responsible for the crappy decisions of the grown-ups in my life."

His kindness with the Jaks is calming (until it was not) but Jared's life is so stressful I had difficulty reading it at times. I kept forgetting it was a fantasy novel just dealing with the grit.

This novel was VIVIDLY written, I can see why it was award winning.

erinkatherin's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Holy moly. The first half of this book made me feel sad (esp from the perspective of a school counsellor). The second half is sassy, scary Indigenous Harry Potter. I love it.