lucymbriggs's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.5
covingtonscollection's review against another edition
4.0
Outlawed by Anna North
★ ★ ★ ★
Stepped out of my comfort reading zone for this one, and I’m not disappointed!! It took me 80 pages to really be interested, and it was a bit slower paced than I’m used to. However, overall, it’s a great book!
It definitely is an interesting book about a group of women outlaws who have all needed to escape their lives, for one reason or another. These outlaws band together for survival in the darker times of the 1800’s. Mental health, gender fluidity, LGBTQ+ relationships, pregnancy issues, and racism all take place in this book. The stories blend in well together and this book definitely gives you a wide range of characters. It works though!
Thanks, @bookofthemonth, for helping me broaden my reading scope!
★ ★ ★ ★
Stepped out of my comfort reading zone for this one, and I’m not disappointed!! It took me 80 pages to really be interested, and it was a bit slower paced than I’m used to. However, overall, it’s a great book!
It definitely is an interesting book about a group of women outlaws who have all needed to escape their lives, for one reason or another. These outlaws band together for survival in the darker times of the 1800’s. Mental health, gender fluidity, LGBTQ+ relationships, pregnancy issues, and racism all take place in this book. The stories blend in well together and this book definitely gives you a wide range of characters. It works though!
Thanks, @bookofthemonth, for helping me broaden my reading scope!
tayloredvue's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-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? Yes
2.0
This was a chore to get through. I was expecting The Handmaid's Tale meets The Crucible in the wild west. Well, it was definitely NOT that. The writing was fine and I can see how there might be an audience for this story, but it was just not my cup of tea.
maddychurm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
isabellabaker's review against another edition
adventurous
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
aileenarakelian's review against another edition
3.0
While the book had a promising start, the rest of it failed to maintain its momentum, resulting in a somewhat underwhelming reading experience. Although it wasn’t a bad read it just didn’t hit the mark for me.
Outlawed had its moments but I suspect I will forget most of the characters by tomorrow.
Outlawed had its moments but I suspect I will forget most of the characters by tomorrow.
samanthamanz's review against another edition
5.0
CREATIVE. THOUGHTFUL. BEAUTIFUL.
Normally in western novels, marginalized identities are tropes or background noise and the main character is typically a white, cisgendered male. Westerns have focused on the homoerotic nature of cowboys, but women only exist to be rescued from the "savage Indians." We've all seen The Searchers or some other classic John Wayne film (yuck).
BUT IN THIS BOOK, Anna North creates this queer, feminist community of women and gender-nonconforming people that live on the fringes of a heteronormative society in the Wild West. She brings in topics about race, gender, infertility, and queerness, which aren't typically explored in western novels. Anna North is a new generation of writers that is creating westerns for everyone! I can't wait to see what else she produces. This is a book I am going to re-read and recommend to everyone.
Normally in western novels, marginalized identities are tropes or background noise and the main character is typically a white, cisgendered male. Westerns have focused on the homoerotic nature of cowboys, but women only exist to be rescued from the "savage Indians." We've all seen The Searchers or some other classic John Wayne film (yuck).
BUT IN THIS BOOK, Anna North creates this queer, feminist community of women and gender-nonconforming people that live on the fringes of a heteronormative society in the Wild West. She brings in topics about race, gender, infertility, and queerness, which aren't typically explored in western novels. Anna North is a new generation of writers that is creating westerns for everyone! I can't wait to see what else she produces. This is a book I am going to re-read and recommend to everyone.
andymoth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0