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mattiaforc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Gun violence, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, and Vomit
ruthie_the_librarian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Short but compelling - it felt like it could only end in disaster, but still managed to be more up than down. You feel like you've read a fully formed novel at the end, rather than just a short novella, so that's quite some skill in the writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
witchintherain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Violence
joe_spracklen17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A short novella about frontier life and a fool's quest for the impossible and the unknown. This book is only 150 pages long and I would recommend it if you're looking for a quick read.
I was going to give this 4 stars but the last half was kind of a letdown for me personally. I will say the writing itself is very nice, the descriptions and the character came across very well and it's a lovely little read.
Unfortunately, the story didn't go in the direction I was hoping it would. It was a great setup that I was really into and I couldn't wait to see how it was all going to be resolved. It's a shame the payoff was not what I hoped. I understand that not all books will have a happy ending or a satisfying conclusion. But I was hoping this one would and is that too much to ask?
Maybe if it was a little longer and had more time then it would have. Now I understand that it's a story about a fool's journey and you know from the start that what Bellman is searching for isn't there. But I was still hoping to have a satisfying ending and see him learn from that discovery (or lack of discovery in this case).
This book also goes in one very dark direction that I did not see coming and shocked me a little bit.
While personally, I was a little unsatisfied with the ending, overall I would still recommend it as it's a nice and short read, with lovely prose with some enjoyable characters.
I was going to give this 4 stars but the last half was kind of a letdown for me personally. I will say the writing itself is very nice, the descriptions and the character came across very well and it's a lovely little read.
Unfortunately, the story didn't go in the direction I was hoping it would. It was a great setup that I was really into and I couldn't wait to see how it was all going to be resolved. It's a shame the payoff was not what I hoped. I understand that not all books will have a happy ending or a satisfying conclusion. But I was hoping this one would and is that too much to ask?
Maybe if it was a little longer and had more time then it would have. Now I understand that it's a story about a fool's journey and you know from the start that what Bellman is searching for isn't there. But I was still hoping to have a satisfying ending and see him learn from that discovery (or lack of discovery in this case).
This book also goes in one very dark direction that I did not see coming and shocked me a little bit.
While personally, I was a little unsatisfied with the ending, overall I would still recommend it as it's a nice and short read, with lovely prose with some enjoyable characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Pedophilia
Minor: Violence
amethystd28d4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I understand why some would be disappointed, as the synopsis does make it sound like a more whimsical story than it is. The actual story is more about the ways children are failed by those who are meant to protect them, how abusers take advantage of parental absence and groom parental figures as well as children themselves. I can't fault anyone for being upset at getting a far darker journey than they expected. Personally I didn't mind that, so I found it a good, quick evening read. If you can handle the potentially triggering themes I would definitely recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Pedophilia
madelineakw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Pedophilia
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