lazygal's review
3.0
I was really torn about this book. On the one hand, I enjoyed reading about this culture (representative of other cultures in the Andaman Island chain), on the other I felt that the author's purpose was too clearly evident, that Western ideas/culture were encroaching on these tribes and were Bad Bad Bad. Now, I'm not saying that I don't agree with the idea of letting these "untouched" peoples live their lives without modern day intrusions, but I thought the message could have been conveyed a little more subtly.
Because this was an ARC, I don't know if the final version will include a list or commentary about resources for those of us who know virtually nothing about the Anadamans and would like to learn more about them (and about these tribes).
ARC provided by publisher.
Because this was an ARC, I don't know if the final version will include a list or commentary about resources for those of us who know virtually nothing about the Anadamans and would like to learn more about them (and about these tribes).
ARC provided by publisher.
librariann's review
4.0
Ages 10+ (death. no language)
Island of the Blue Dolphins + Nation, contemporized. A touch of primitivism, but a well-done melding of a young tribeswoman's growing understanding of the importance of maintaining her traditions while under the encroachment of the modern world.
Island of the Blue Dolphins + Nation, contemporized. A touch of primitivism, but a well-done melding of a young tribeswoman's growing understanding of the importance of maintaining her traditions while under the encroachment of the modern world.
abigailbat's review
3.0
Uido has a vision of the strangers before they appear: magic men with boats that fly and strange sticks that cause fire. But Uido knows that these magic men could destroy the life she holds dear, the ways of the En-ge, people who have inhabited these islands for thousands of years. As an apprentice to the oko-jumu, spiritual leader of her tribe, she will have to figure out a way to protect her people, even as their magic entices more and more.
There's a good deal of adventure and I enjoyed learning about the ways of these island people (the En-ge are based on actual indigenous people who have lived on remote islands, shunning modern ways). Descriptions of island life are lush, including smells, sounds, and tastes. But I never felt truly connected with the main character. There's some distance there, even though the book's written in first person present.
I'd hand it to kids who enjoyed Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell (for a strong female native islander protagonist) or Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver (for the mix of action and spiritual/mystical components) or maybe even Nation by Terry Pratcher (for the island setting, although Nation is aimed at a slightly older audience).
There's a good deal of adventure and I enjoyed learning about the ways of these island people (the En-ge are based on actual indigenous people who have lived on remote islands, shunning modern ways). Descriptions of island life are lush, including smells, sounds, and tastes. But I never felt truly connected with the main character. There's some distance there, even though the book's written in first person present.
I'd hand it to kids who enjoyed Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell (for a strong female native islander protagonist) or Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver (for the mix of action and spiritual/mystical components) or maybe even Nation by Terry Pratcher (for the island setting, although Nation is aimed at a slightly older audience).
buuboobaby's review
5.0
4.5 stars - Wonderful read with a strong, compelling female lead, a lush setting, and an interesting clash of cultures. There aren't enough books like this one.
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
heykellyjensen's review
2.0
2.5.
This wasn't remarkable for me. I think it'll be mostly forgettable down the line.
Uido lives on a remote island with her tribe which is very unlike modern society, and a lot of what they believe in are spiritual guides. She sees a lot of visions at night, and when she admits to this to their spiritual leader Lah-ame, he chooses to make her the tribe's next guide. When she passes her final test in his teachings, she's told to be careful not to exert her power yet.
Of course she does it, and that unleashes a number of events which lead to to understanding the importance of accepting tradition and new ideas and how both can work together to build a better world. It's kind of cliche but it's done well enough to make it less so here.
My problem was the big event of the story felt completely rushed and it didn't feel urgent. I blame this on the writing. It's first person present, and rather than being immediate, it's distancing. I never quite got inside Uido's head, nor did I find her offering me much of what was going on around her emotionally. It happened and that was all. I understand this could be an entire element of the culture itself, and that would make sense, but it's not satisfying to me and leaves the story quite one note.
This wasn't remarkable for me. I think it'll be mostly forgettable down the line.
Uido lives on a remote island with her tribe which is very unlike modern society, and a lot of what they believe in are spiritual guides. She sees a lot of visions at night, and when she admits to this to their spiritual leader Lah-ame, he chooses to make her the tribe's next guide. When she passes her final test in his teachings, she's told to be careful not to exert her power yet.
Of course she does it, and that unleashes a number of events which lead to to understanding the importance of accepting tradition and new ideas and how both can work together to build a better world. It's kind of cliche but it's done well enough to make it less so here.
My problem was the big event of the story felt completely rushed and it didn't feel urgent. I blame this on the writing. It's first person present, and rather than being immediate, it's distancing. I never quite got inside Uido's head, nor did I find her offering me much of what was going on around her emotionally. It happened and that was all. I understand this could be an entire element of the culture itself, and that would make sense, but it's not satisfying to me and leaves the story quite one note.
prof_shoff's review
2.0
Somehow, there's no heart to this story of a young Andaman girl facing the world within and without.
srousseau's review
2.0
Reviewed from an ARC.
Uido lives on the island with her people. They live simply, hunting and gathering for food each day as a group. Spirits tell Uido in a dream that she must go to the beach. When she gets there she sees strangers in shiny boats. Her brother and some of the other villagers are fascinated with the strangers and the things they have. Will the tribe be so fascinated with the things of modern life or will they stick with their own ways?
This book has short chapters and a very innocent main character. Good for a world cultures unit, etc.
Uido lives on the island with her people. They live simply, hunting and gathering for food each day as a group. Spirits tell Uido in a dream that she must go to the beach. When she gets there she sees strangers in shiny boats. Her brother and some of the other villagers are fascinated with the strangers and the things they have. Will the tribe be so fascinated with the things of modern life or will they stick with their own ways?
This book has short chapters and a very innocent main character. Good for a world cultures unit, etc.
sandyd's review
4.0
This is fascinating YA fiction about a girl coming of age in a tribe of modern-day hunter-gatherers who live on a remote island in the Indian Ocean (the Andaman Islands, way off the coast of India). There is a lot going on in this story: spiritual development, the encroachment of modern cultures, sibling rivalry, and young love and sexual awakening (the latter handled pretty discreetly, so I'd say fine for 12+, or a bit younger if you don't mind your kid reading about teenagers in a relationship deciding to go off into a special place in the forest at night, where "nothing exists but the magic of shared silence and beauty of our togetherness". Uido (the female protagonist) also lets her hands slide down her lover's hips - but that and some gentle kissing are as explicit as it gets.
The conclusion - the 2004 tsunami - is intense and the descriptions of its aftermath are pretty graphic, though. And it's disturbing, because you *know* those descriptions are based on real life. The ending is ultimately uplifting, and it is pretty cool to see a book based on a "primitive" people with non-generic characters and an interesting plot. The island is described quite beautifully, too. And "Island's End" deals with cultural conflict in a respectful and not overly idealistic "Dances with Wolves/Avatar" manner!
The conclusion - the 2004 tsunami - is intense and the descriptions of its aftermath are pretty graphic, though. And it's disturbing, because you *know* those descriptions are based on real life. The ending is ultimately uplifting, and it is pretty cool to see a book based on a "primitive" people with non-generic characters and an interesting plot. The island is described quite beautifully, too. And "Island's End" deals with cultural conflict in a respectful and not overly idealistic "Dances with Wolves/Avatar" manner!
tashrow's review
5.0
A remote island in the Bay of Bengal is the setting for this novel by the author of Climbing the Stairs. Uido is a teen who can communicate with spirits. Just before strangers arrive at their island, Uido dreams of it. The tribe has conflicted feelings about the strangers, some are drawn to the technology of their fast boats and matches, while others see the end of their ways if the new ways are adopted. During this confusing time, Uido studies to become her tribe’s spiritual leader. There is danger in the studies, from braving the dangers of the island to finding her spirit animal. But nothing is as dangerous yet beguiling as the strangers and their new ways, as Uido is soon to find out.
Venkatraman creates a vivid world here surrounded by water and coral reefs. It is a world where everything is different. The island itself is a character in the book as seasons turn, Uido journeys across the island, and finally in the climactic ending scenes. The island is beautiful, wild, untamed and irresistible.
Uido is a heroine who faces many self-doubts, but rises to the challenges she is faced with. She has a spirit herself that is true and strong. She struggles with a friend who doesn’t understand her, a brother who is jealous, and the loneliness of being away from her family. Plus the allure of the modern world. Yet in Uido, readers will also see a young woman who is tied to the traditional ways in a strong and compelling way.
Beautifully written, this book is a journey into an unknown, primitive world where readers will discover a radiance and wonder. Appropriate for ages 13-15.
Venkatraman creates a vivid world here surrounded by water and coral reefs. It is a world where everything is different. The island itself is a character in the book as seasons turn, Uido journeys across the island, and finally in the climactic ending scenes. The island is beautiful, wild, untamed and irresistible.
Uido is a heroine who faces many self-doubts, but rises to the challenges she is faced with. She has a spirit herself that is true and strong. She struggles with a friend who doesn’t understand her, a brother who is jealous, and the loneliness of being away from her family. Plus the allure of the modern world. Yet in Uido, readers will also see a young woman who is tied to the traditional ways in a strong and compelling way.
Beautifully written, this book is a journey into an unknown, primitive world where readers will discover a radiance and wonder. Appropriate for ages 13-15.
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