nancysbrandt's review
4.0
This was set in a time period I haven't read much about, and I found some of the middle bits somewhat slow as the author lets us know how terrible the Dust Bowl was. I kept wondering when we would get to the "action," but when it happened, my attention was captured and I was eager to see what happened next. The mythology of the story is a not like anything I've seen before and even at the end I'm still unsure who the good guys are, besides our main character (although being first person makes her suspect - obviously she thinks she's a good guy). I will be interested to see where the story goes in the next book.
dlarkin's review
3.0
A solid read with some interesting ideas. However, I lacked some connection with the protagonist and the end was a bit of a whirlwind. Still a good book, though, and I think the sequel will be even better. For more review check out http://epicbookreviews.blogspot.com
tanaise's review
5.0
Very very good. A mixed race girl--both figuratively and literally, as her father was a Prince of Faerie--and her friend try to rescue her mother. Set in the Dust Bowl, with about the most depressing settings you can imagine, it was still an excellent story with a good strong female character. I expected nothing less from Sarah Zettel, as I've read and loved her SF in the past, but it is always good to have your expectations confirmed. Add this one to the list of good books to give to girls, for certain.
ksbrennan's review
3.0
"The makers, the beautiful, the ones cast out because their light was too brilliant for the world beyond. The ones who wish true and deep with their whole hearts for more than they have. They come here, and we love them."
This is a tough one, because I love the worldbuilding, and I think Callie and Jack are great main characters. Zettel manages to make them realistic and dynamic, with relatable flaws and unique strengths. The magic developed here is also interesting, taking a lot from traditional fairy lore, but embedding it in the unique cultural context of the 1930s Dust Bowl in Kansas. It's a unique setting that adds a lot of ambiance to the story.
On the other hand, I find it frustrating when books in a series don't resolve in any meaningful way. This book doesn't have an actual resolution, and while I do plan on reading the rest of the series, I really hate it when there's no individual story to the book itself, rather than just furthering the series as a whole, if that makes sense. And, given that the book is entirely in service to the larger series plot, it's also frustrating that I don't even feel like I have a great grasp of what the overall plot is, in terms of the prophecy and the motivation of the major players. Callie's motivation is very clear, but both of the courts, I'm not as sure.
Still, the book zips along at a fast pace, and I enjoyed the characters, the magic, and the setting enough to carry me through to the next one.
This is a tough one, because I love the worldbuilding, and I think Callie and Jack are great main characters. Zettel manages to make them realistic and dynamic, with relatable flaws and unique strengths. The magic developed here is also interesting, taking a lot from traditional fairy lore, but embedding it in the unique cultural context of the 1930s Dust Bowl in Kansas. It's a unique setting that adds a lot of ambiance to the story.
On the other hand, I find it frustrating when books in a series don't resolve in any meaningful way. This book doesn't have an actual resolution, and while I do plan on reading the rest of the series, I really hate it when there's no individual story to the book itself, rather than just furthering the series as a whole, if that makes sense. And, given that the book is entirely in service to the larger series plot, it's also frustrating that I don't even feel like I have a great grasp of what the overall plot is, in terms of the prophecy and the motivation of the major players. Callie's motivation is very clear, but both of the courts, I'm not as sure.
Still, the book zips along at a fast pace, and I enjoyed the characters, the magic, and the setting enough to carry me through to the next one.
thisgrrlreads's review
3.0
This book made me wish I liked books about fairies more. Loved the setting, the Dust Bowl is so clear and such a perfect setting for someone to be whisked away from. Callie is a spunky character who may be special, and yet again, she may not be. We know what adventures await in book 2! Though most loose ends are tied up almost too tightly at the end of the book.
readerpants's review
4.0
Exceeded my expectations! The concept and worldbuilding here were really smart and interesting, and the prose was clear and clean. I'll be watching for the others in the series.
malkav11's review
4.0
There are some really compelling images in this Dustbowl-era fairy tale, nightmarish and powerful, and issues like class and race mix with traditional faerie conflicts like Seelie and Unseelie. Cool stuff, to be sure. It doesn't -quite- gel, though, in my opinion. I think it may just be that I'm older than the intended age level, or it might be that Zettel's not used to working in YA, or I don't know what.
jacquelynjoan's review
5.0
Wow, wow, wow. New favorite! I just ordered the other two from the trilogy.
History, race, class, fantasy, mystery, jazz, heroine's journey type adventure stuff!
Of course I thought about The Wonderful Wizard of Oz because it's mentioned and it's in Kansas. And of course I thought of The Grapes of Wrath because of the dust bowl and everything.
It really reminded me of one of my other favorite series though: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
History, race, class, fantasy, mystery, jazz, heroine's journey type adventure stuff!
Of course I thought about The Wonderful Wizard of Oz because it's mentioned and it's in Kansas. And of course I thought of The Grapes of Wrath because of the dust bowl and everything.
It really reminded me of one of my other favorite series though: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
dashausfrau's review
3.0
I'm a fan of Zettel & I think the sort of disjointed tone of Dust Girl was deliberate-- the fairy world is supposed to be sort of dreamlike after all. Also I like how she incorporated different folk traditions (especially the tradition of matching wits with otherworldly dangers) with the midwestern setting - centering around one of the overwhelming dust storms of the 1930s. Ends abruptly. Weirdly, I've just talked myself into checking out book 2 right away.