The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
ladyames20203's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
Pros: I loved the characters so much, they’re so dear, and this book is so heartwarming.
Cons: It is slow and the plot is predictable.
Cons: It is slow and the plot is predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, and Body shaming
Minor: Alcohol, Hate crime, Death of parent, and Cannibalism
taylormneill's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Abandonment, and Classism
fanboyriot's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Read For:
Fantasy
Slow Burn
Found Family
Idiots in Love
Happy Ending
Think Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children vibes but kinda queer. I just felt kinda neutral about it. The humor was okay, the characters were okay, and the setting was kinda meh. I just felt like I had to force myself to keep reading and if I didn’t already own the book I would have stopped. Also, I thought there would be more queer rep to be honest so that was kinda disappointing. Not to mention the fatphobia.
I wasn’t going to read this given the reviews I’ve been seeing recently, however, I already own the first two books so I figured I’d see if it was as bad as some of the reviews were saying. And honestly, I just didn’t understand the hype about it. Even not knowing what the book was based on it was barely a 3-star rating for me, it just fell flat to me.
However, learning that this was based on the Sixties Scoop and how the author decided to turn what was a cruel and tragic piece of history he read about on Wikipedia about how the Canadian government removed a bunch of indigenous children from their literal homes and away from their family only to be adopted to white, middle-class families and he then took that information and basically turned it into a happy little fantasy where the kids live not in an “orphanage” but a “home” like, dude, why?
This kind of thing is still something native people are dealing with and as a white person, it should not be something you’re involved in like this. In America the Supreme Court literally is going to be voting soon on overturning ICWA so states can regain control to remove Native children from their homes and families, this isn’t just some fantasy. This story could have been written way better and in a way that did romanticize trauma and make light of a literal genocide.
I just wouldn’t recommend this one. There are some links on where I got my information from if you’re interested along with two reviews I think do a better job of explaining this than I did.
Links:
Source: https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A617930246/ITBC?u=uvictoria&sid=bookmark-ITBC&xid=0efbabda
Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sixties_Scoop
Helpful Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4032060130
Another Helpful Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3601407534
Rep: Achillean, Queer MC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Racism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Religious bigotry, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death of parent, Ableism, Animal cruelty, Classism, Grief, Homophobia, and Violence
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Cannibalism, Murder, Death, Animal death, and Blood
cecilie26's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
I really liked this book. I don’t usually read this genre, but when i found this so captivating. The dark but lighthearted humor was sooo good. The characters were excellent written. If you want to read a book that is heartwarming, playfull and funny this is the one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Abandonment, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
thewritetofight's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
So good, I love this genre, it was so whimsical and allowed itself to be serious when necessary. I also loved the dynamic between Arthur and the kids, but if your looking for a lot of romance, there isn’t much until the end, except for some sprinkled through out the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, and Classism
When I put ableism for the content warnings, it’s mainly targeted towards the magical people in the book.sacath's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This charming story about strange magical children told from the perspective of non-magical adult Linus Baker is the found family book you need to cheer you up anytime.
Content Warnings
Minor: Classism and Ableism
madelynfrank's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I think at this point I’ll give any book that makes me cry 5 stars.
Truly funny, heartwarming, interesting world building, great imagery, cool characters. Felt very idealistic/wish fulfillment- which I absolutely loved. Do you want to go to a perfect island and have supportive dads that will stand up for u.
Truly funny, heartwarming, interesting world building, great imagery, cool characters. Felt very idealistic/wish fulfillment- which I absolutely loved. Do you want to go to a perfect island and have supportive dads that will stand up for u.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, and Hate crime
sarahfr1end's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Eating disorder, Bullying, Confinement, Dysphoria, and Religious bigotry
slipp99's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
a cute whimsical feel good story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Child abuse
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Fatphobia
amndaj's review against another edition
4.75
I loved this book, would give it a 4.9 if I could. I loved the author's descriptions of setting and characters, both of which I loved. The ending was lovely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia