kiramke's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Very well-written but I found it challenging to read and often upsetting. It's not that there's a lot of graphic violence, it's that the suffering is pervasive and the threat of something worse is always present. For all that, it's a lovely hopeful book with good realism and complex characters that become really lovable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Alcoholism
Deals consistently with the effects of abuse and other issues on a child. Nothing is graphic but neither is it shied away from; it's not possible to skip sections as these are major themes, but they are dealt with respectfully and compassionately.megansoetaert's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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? Yes
4.75
:(((( this book was so emotional and vulnerable and i really loved it so much. i was able to read it more easily in the second half (once i finally got a hold of who was who lol & understood what was going on). also really glad to have read my first book by a Māori author!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Car accident, Drug use, Animal death, Domestic abuse, and Addiction
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Auē won awards for best debut and best fiction book at this year’s New Zealand book awards. I can see why. It wasn’t an easy read by any means covering topics such as gangs and domestic violence. Much of the story is told from the perspective of eight year old Ari and his friend Beth. Their childlike viewpoint was equal parts delightful in its naïveté and heartbreaking as they had to deal with the impact of adult violence. I also liked the dual timeline (Ari and his brother Taukiri in the present; Jade and Toko in the past) since it highlighted the intergenerational impacts of abuse and trauma. I appreciated the fact that the timelines didn’t come together quite as smoothly as I had thought they would, highlighting both the complexity of life and the important role of whanau. The ending left me in two minds. On the one hand I felt it all came together too quickly and conveniently but I did really like the fact that it ended on a note of hope rather than despair.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Violence, and Domestic abuse
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