eve81's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Genocide, Racism, Murder, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
pointeshoebookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Grief
Moderate: Death, Murder, and Colonisation
Minor: Animal death
nighttgarden's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
4.75
Omg. I haven't read this in awhile but I'm so happy that Elatsoe didn't get with the bestfriend and was Ace.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Murder and Car accident
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Acephobia/Arophobia
kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
3.75 rounded up!
This was one of those books that felt like middle grade plot wise; everything was extremely easy and nearly conflictless
That being said, the world building was super cool, and I loved that Ellie’s parents protected and supported her, without being overbearing or overly nice. they made sure that she had room to do her thing, but we’re always there as safety and backup
Lol at the burly bridesmaids
This was one of those books that felt like middle grade plot wise; everything was extremely easy and nearly conflictless
That being said, the world building was super cool, and I loved that Ellie’s parents protected and supported her, without being overbearing or overly nice. they made sure that she had room to do her thing, but we’re always there as safety and backup
Lol at the burly bridesmaids
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, Racism, and Murder
whimsykat's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, and Death
wends_nblw's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I will say. I went into this blind, and was expecting something a lot more compelling.
This book is okay; it's fine. Nothing I would rave about, but something I would casually recommend.
I'm not sure if it's just me, but this felt like a middle school read rather than young adult? I don't know why, but I keep imagining the MC as like.. 12-14 years old. (Actually, I think this book could've been better if it had been a MG haha!)
I was a huge fan of the concept, but not the plot. I don't care about vampires or cults or anything else. I wanted so bad to read more about Elatsoe's gift and the Lipan Apaches. I found it so much more interesting than the murder mystery that was happening in the foreground.
However, I'm always rooting for representation as an asexual native myself LOL !
Would def recommend to a younger audience. Nice little murder mystery with fantasy elements.
This book is okay; it's fine. Nothing I would rave about, but something I would casually recommend.
I'm not sure if it's just me, but this felt like a middle school read rather than young adult? I don't know why, but I keep imagining the MC as like.. 12-14 years old. (Actually, I think this book could've been better if it had been a MG haha!)
I was a huge fan of the concept, but not the plot. I don't care about vampires or cults or anything else. I wanted so bad to read more about Elatsoe's gift and the Lipan Apaches. I found it so much more interesting than the murder mystery that was happening in the foreground.
However, I'm always rooting for representation as an asexual native myself LOL !
Would def recommend to a younger audience. Nice little murder mystery with fantasy elements.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, Murder, Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Gun violence, Animal death, Racism, and Colonisation
Minor: Kidnapping and Genocide
razzberry_pi's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Amazing story weaving mystery, ghosts, animals, and magic into a world of ancestral traditions of magic. Shows the use of magic for both good and evil and how it could be used to mirror inequalities that exist in our world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Car accident, and Colonisation
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, and Violence
bluejayreads's review against another edition
3.75
I very nearly DNF'd this one, because the main murder mystery plot just didn't vibe with me. Ellie's magic with ghosts means that her murdered cousin straight-up told her who killed him, and the mystery part was actually about finding why and how in a manner that law enforcement would accept. And I just didn't find it that interesting. However, then I realized that I did find everything else in this story interesting. The world of monsters and magic - fae magic, Indigenous magic, vampires, all sorts of stuff - along with the modern world was well-crafted and fascinating. I loved how it was the modern world just a little askew because, you know, magic. I loved learning about the Ellie's Lipan Apache traditions and magic, I loved having a protagonist who was explicitly aro/ace without it being a big deal, I even really enjoyed Ellie's relationship with her best friend Jay. And the murder mystery part did end up having a solid climax (although I'll be honest, I saw the big twist from a mile away). On the whole, I'm glad I finished reading it, because even though parts of it didn't do it for me personally, there's a lot to love in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Murder and Racism
Minor: Car accident, Body horror, and Animal death
stubsofun's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Elatsoe is a novel brimming with potential, and in some aspects, meets that potential. However, hand-in-hand with exciting action scenes, great world building, and a good mystery, are poorly done lore-dumps, a pov change for one chapter that stops the action in its tracks, and clunky dialogue at times.
I think with a few more rounds of edits to trim unnecessary parts and find more natural ways to convey the world building, Elatsoe would have greatly benefited.
Overall, I will be interested in what the author writes in the future, and I don't regret reading this book, but I would be hesitant before recommending Elatsoe to another reader.
I think with a few more rounds of edits to trim unnecessary parts and find more natural ways to convey the world building, Elatsoe would have greatly benefited.
Overall, I will be interested in what the author writes in the future, and I don't regret reading this book, but I would be hesitant before recommending Elatsoe to another reader.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Blood, and Car accident
Minor: Racism
ariiw's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Death, and Racism