milointhewoods's review against another edition
4.0
i am not at all in the position to understand or address the use of native american characters in this novella, or whether it is an example of good representation.
i did really enjoy this though, i love the urban fantasy and the magical elements of this book and i love the characters too :)
i did really enjoy this though, i love the urban fantasy and the magical elements of this book and i love the characters too :)
ladygeekface's review against another edition
4.0
It took me awhile to get into this book. Once I did, it was pretty cool. I like how Native American lore was brought in.
lpraus's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.5
wizardmacdonald's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
karmakat's review against another edition
3.0
Mixed feelings about this one. The story is very interesting. Nina is plagued by horrifying dreams that she is trapped in the body of different animals and believes that her cousin has cast a spell on her. The truth is far more frightening. So, very interesting examination of tribal legend and lore. However, I never felt fully engaged with the story and the editing was awful which always detracts for me.
xeni's review against another edition
4.0
I just love Charles de Lint and his magical world of Newford. The best part of it is how everything is so real, extra real, like it's a city life but with another layer of shiny poured over it.
This book made me analyse my own connection with my little sister; the years of strife we went through, until now, when we're great friends who just understand each other. The relationship between Nina and Ashley is very similar, only in this novel we have the added effect of storytelling. So Ashely needs to go on a quest to rescue her cousin (although their mothers were twins, so sisters) Nina.
Along the way we meet some of the most fascinating characters, delve into some of the magical, historical past of Native Americans (which is always a joy when done right) and are transported into the spirit realm, which I always adore when an author incorporates this setting. There are so many possibilities, and they definitely don't limit de Lint's imagination.
I only rated this four stars because the story was much too short for me. Technically it deserves 5, but there was a lot of exposition and details lacking that I felt could have embellished the story and made it outstanding.
This book made me analyse my own connection with my little sister; the years of strife we went through, until now, when we're great friends who just understand each other. The relationship between Nina and Ashley is very similar, only in this novel we have the added effect of storytelling. So Ashely needs to go on a quest to rescue her cousin (although their mothers were twins, so sisters) Nina.
Along the way we meet some of the most fascinating characters, delve into some of the magical, historical past of Native Americans (which is always a joy when done right) and are transported into the spirit realm, which I always adore when an author incorporates this setting. There are so many possibilities, and they definitely don't limit de Lint's imagination.
I only rated this four stars because the story was much too short for me. Technically it deserves 5, but there was a lot of exposition and details lacking that I felt could have embellished the story and made it outstanding.
ariereads's review against another edition
3.0
I'm really marking hard at the moment. Lovely little story (as always with de Lint) but compared to his best work it's nothing particularly special.
kielma's review against another edition
3.0
After seeing "Widdershins" being pushed at the book store recently, I decided I wanted to start reading Charles de Lint's Newford Stories from the beginning. I picked this up because I was told that this is the first one in the group. I found out later the Charles de Lint himself recommends that this be the second book to read (http://www.sfsite.com/charlesdelint/faq01.htm#newford2). I didn't realize before I picked this up that it was so short or that it was geared towards young adults.
I wasn't overly impressed with this novel. The story was ok but not terribly interesting, the characters had potential but I never got to the point where I really cared about them, and the writing was readable but also not terribly interesting. Overall, fairly ho-hum. I give it a little bit of a break because it was, after all, written for a young adult audience. I plan to give another of the Newford stories a try.
I wasn't overly impressed with this novel. The story was ok but not terribly interesting, the characters had potential but I never got to the point where I really cared about them, and the writing was readable but also not terribly interesting. Overall, fairly ho-hum. I give it a little bit of a break because it was, after all, written for a young adult audience. I plan to give another of the Newford stories a try.
pattydsf's review
3.0
This was short novel, written for teens by one of my favorite fantasy writers. Charles de Lint can bring together mythology and contemporary life like no other author.
This book was not as complicated as some of de Lint's but it was very good. If I wanted to introduce someone to his writings this might be a good choice.
This book was not as complicated as some of de Lint's but it was very good. If I wanted to introduce someone to his writings this might be a good choice.
jgintrovertedreader's review
3.0
June 14, 2011
Ash is a teenage girl who is angry at the world. Angry at her mom for dying and leaving her alone. Angry at her dad for refusing to take her in. And especially angry at her cousin Nina for having everything.
That kind of anger inevitably draws attention. The problem is, the spirit who first noticed Ash's anger is now focused on Nina. Can Ash figure out what is going on and find it in her heart to save her cousin?
This has always been one of my least favorite of de Lint's books. Much as I love his work, I'm usually disappointed in his young adult novels. I love his books for his characters and I never relate to the teens very well. I don't know if it's just me or if he truly doesn't develop them as well. In this case, Ash is a pretty typical troubled teen and Nina is a pretty typical goody-two-shoes. So maybe it is him...
Anyway, there's nothing terribly new here, although it was nice to come across the first references to Cassie and Bones. The underlying hope and faith in human decency that I consider another hallmark of de Lint are also here. The world can always use more stories about forgiveness, love, and the power to change for the better, right?
I wouldn't recommend this to a new de Lint reader, but fans should definitely read it.
Currently re-reading...
2007?
This is one of de Lint's more Native American novels. It's full of teenage angst, but it is more of a young adult novel. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more when I was at that age myself.
Ash is a teenage girl who is angry at the world. Angry at her mom for dying and leaving her alone. Angry at her dad for refusing to take her in. And especially angry at her cousin Nina for having everything.
That kind of anger inevitably draws attention. The problem is, the spirit who first noticed Ash's anger is now focused on Nina. Can Ash figure out what is going on and find it in her heart to save her cousin?
This has always been one of my least favorite of de Lint's books. Much as I love his work, I'm usually disappointed in his young adult novels. I love his books for his characters and I never relate to the teens very well. I don't know if it's just me or if he truly doesn't develop them as well. In this case, Ash is a pretty typical troubled teen and Nina is a pretty typical goody-two-shoes. So maybe it is him...
Anyway, there's nothing terribly new here, although it was nice to come across the first references to Cassie and Bones. The underlying hope and faith in human decency that I consider another hallmark of de Lint are also here. The world can always use more stories about forgiveness, love, and the power to change for the better, right?
I wouldn't recommend this to a new de Lint reader, but fans should definitely read it.
Currently re-reading...
2007?
This is one of de Lint's more Native American novels. It's full of teenage angst, but it is more of a young adult novel. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more when I was at that age myself.