Reviews

Rust in the Root by Justina Ireland

shmerbal's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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? No

3.5

cecemariet's review

adventurous funny tense medium-paced

4.0

unusualnvruncool's review

adventurous dark funny mysterious sad 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? No

5.0

scrow1022's review against another edition

5.0

Fascinating concept, felt very "but of course". Liked the characters, I believe there is another volume planned and I very much hope so.

vervain's review

adventurous dark funny tense fast-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

4.75

atsumeri's review

adventurous 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? Yes

3.0

carstensena's review against another edition

Booklist review to come

rgibbons's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

mergs_scribbles's review

4.0

I went into this book completely blind and I’m glad I did because it really added to the mystery for me. The atmosphere and history in this book are wonderfully done and set up the world well. I was perfectly immersed! The horror aspects reminded me of the movie Annihilation which was a real treat because I love that movie and have been searching for similar content ever since I first watched it. 

I do wish we had more time with the side/supporting characters just to make me feel the weight of certain scenes more. I’m not sure if I’m remembering right but I think there’s also a plot hole involving Malik and Sam?

Spoiler

I’m pretty sure in Skylark’s notes she said the boys were killed by Laura, but we are told that they’re living in California in the epilogue. Do they have different identities now and are fake dead like the others? It’s not clear.

I might be remembering wrong tho.

bakerhi's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-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

5.0

I immediately want more in this world. A unique magic system inside a historical fiction look at 1930’s America? Yes. So fascinating.