Reviews

Shiner by Amy Jo Burns

katieproctorbooks's review against another edition

4.0

The audio of this one was great. It’s a really sad story, but I don’t think it was without hope.

suvata's review against another edition

3.0

• ModernMrsDarcy.com #MMD book club pick for November 2021 #MMDBookClub

•Bookly Quest Readathon
July 29 - August 1, 2021
#BooklyReadathon #BooklyReaders

On a lush mountaintop trapped in time, two women vow to protect each other at all costs-and one young girl must defy her father to survive. An hour from the closest West Virginia mining town, fifteen-year-old Wren Bird lives in a cloistered mountain cabin with her parents. They have no car, no mailbox, and no visitors-except for her mother's lifelong best friend. One summer, a miracle performed by Wren's father snake-handling preacher quickly turns to tragedy. Shiner reveals the hidden story behind two generations' worth of Appalachian heartbreak and resolve.

teresa_b's review against another edition

Shiner is the first book I've read with Modern Mrs Darcy book club. It's not a book I would have chosen for myself. Am I glad that I read it? The jury is still out on that one.

Shiner begins with the story of Ruby.

katreadsalot's review against another edition

5.0

This was absolutely beautiful and moving (though the subject matter is difficult). I am not sure what pulled me in so completely, but I was engrossed by the story of Wren and her life in the mountains of West Virginia.

fromsarahsbooknook's review against another edition

5.0

I only read this because of book club. I didn’t expect I’d like it that much, honestly… I thought I didn’t want to read about moonshiners and snake-handling preachers. BUT APPARENTLY I DID. I absolutely loved this book and it will probably be one of my favorites of the year.

Yes, it’s about moonshiners and snake-handling preachers, but it’s mostly a multi-generational story about the women connected to the moonshiners and snake-handling preachers. You start with the preacher’s daughter, Wren, and follows the thread back to the coming of age of Wren’s mother and best friend. What really happened to bring them to where they are today?

Ooh, I loved it so much.

jaide_monroe's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

tawny73's review against another edition

4.5

Loved this, not sure why exactly...

cookstx's review against another edition

2.0

I did not enjoy this book. Maybe just not my style. I couldn’t connect to the characters or the storyline. Skimmed the last 60 pages or so just to “finish” the story.

beyourbestshelf's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Rape

lauresno's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

3.5