little_silver's review
5.0
It took me a looong time to finish this book, due to reading it for only 2 20-min sessions per week. But I think it's an important book, a look at how a community protects, heals and moves forward through genocide. How individuals balance the weight of their decisions against the outcomes attained.
I would prefer if more of the "how" and "why" of the dreamlessness and its cure were explained, but I also get that these books aren't written for me.
I would prefer if more of the "how" and "why" of the dreamlessness and its cure were explained, but I also get that these books aren't written for me.
elenaluisa's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
literarylobdell's review
5.0
Started this and finished it in one night (well, I finished just before midnight, but it counts!)
It had been a couple years since I read the Marrow Thieves, but Frenchie’s family is so beautifully written, I was immediately sucked back into their struggles like no time had passed. This book is dark and difficult to read, but it is ultimately such a beautiful story. It is, to me, almost comparable to “the Road”, in that both books present such unbelievably grim visions of a future that seems so possible, and dares you to find the light in the world despite all that. That said, this strikes me as even more poignant than the Road, as it incorporates so much history, such a rich commentary on racism and survival and family.
What is especially notable about this story for me is that (like the first book), it is so incredibly dark— Dimaline doesn’t shy away from violence— but it never feels gratuitous or like it’s too much for teenagers. It is intense and I would recommend trigger warnings for students, but it’s (in my opinion), exactly enough to be effective, gripping, immersive, without feeling like torture porn, and even further, all of the most difficult scenes to read serve a clear purpose in the story. From Ishkode’s first appearance to the end of the book, I was in tears.
Ultimately, I would recommend this strongly to (adult and teen) fans of things like The Last of Us or even more mature fans of The Hunger Games, and I think this and/or The Marrow Thieves could/should have a place in curriculum and classrooms. A strong 5/5 stars, I loved this a lot!
P.S. I am just obsessed with Isaac and Miigs. Obsessed. Loves of my life!!!!
It had been a couple years since I read the Marrow Thieves, but Frenchie’s family is so beautifully written, I was immediately sucked back into their struggles like no time had passed. This book is dark and difficult to read, but it is ultimately such a beautiful story. It is, to me, almost comparable to “the Road”, in that both books present such unbelievably grim visions of a future that seems so possible, and dares you to find the light in the world despite all that. That said, this strikes me as even more poignant than the Road, as it incorporates so much history, such a rich commentary on racism and survival and family.
What is especially notable about this story for me is that (like the first book), it is so incredibly dark— Dimaline doesn’t shy away from violence— but it never feels gratuitous or like it’s too much for teenagers. It is intense and I would recommend trigger warnings for students, but it’s (in my opinion), exactly enough to be effective, gripping, immersive, without feeling like torture porn, and even further, all of the most difficult scenes to read serve a clear purpose in the story. From Ishkode’s first appearance to the end of the book, I was in tears.
Ultimately, I would recommend this strongly to (adult and teen) fans of things like The Last of Us or even more mature fans of The Hunger Games, and I think this and/or The Marrow Thieves could/should have a place in curriculum and classrooms. A strong 5/5 stars, I loved this a lot!
P.S. I am just obsessed with Isaac and Miigs. Obsessed. Loves of my life!!!!
kc_ya_later's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
saara_ilona_muu's review against another edition
3.0
The Marrow Thieves was one of the best books I read last year. Hunting By Stars was good, but not as good as the first of the series. This one felt forced - disjointed. I still enjoyed this book and I think Cherie Dimaline is a talented and smart writer.
lenaricharz's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Torture, Trafficking, Death, Racism, Colonisation, Confinement, Genocide, Slavery, Medical trauma, and Blood
Moderate: Cannibalism
howatson44's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
pheereadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
What is perhaps the most unnerving about this book and it’s prequel, despite being full of sci-fi and dystopian elements, is that it’s really not hard to picture these stories happening in real life. And that is disturbing to think about.
If you liked The Marrow Thieves, I think you’ll like this one, too.
If you liked The Marrow Thieves, I think you’ll like this one, too.
vynexareads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
Sometimes you risk everything for a life worth living, even if you're not the one who'll be alive to live it.
After reading The Marrow Thieves last month, I immediately placed Hunting by Stars on hold via my library. Soon after starting it, I had to brace myself because I knew, from that little taste, that this book was going to hurt. Boy, that it did.
While this is a continuation from the first book, this one is very different in the way this story is told. You are following three different paths that come together eventually, meaning you follow French, but also two other points from his found family. However, Dimaline does a fantastic job of never making you feel lost of confused.
This novel explores the decisions one makes when it comes to survival, to coming home, to being back with someone you love and them not being who you knew them to be. Many of the decisions made/outcomes of said decisions hurt like hell.
Caring for fictional characters is a dangerous career, but I do it with honor.
If you have not read any of Dimaline's novels, take this as your sign to do so. Whether it's with The Marrow Thieves or Empire of Wild , just pick one of them up. I guarantee you'll feel the same way that I do.
⭐️ 4 STARS ⭐️