The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
amydieg's review against another edition
5.0
It is hard for me to say enough about this book. It is gorgeous and heartbreaking, atmospheric and hopeful. Set in the rural Appalachian hollers we so rarely see in literature, this is a story about the things that happen, the marks they leave, and the way they change us.
tonyabeth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
nicke's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
idratherliveinbooks's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
justjess79's review against another edition
2.0
I did not care for how this book was written. It was at times real, at times fantasy, at times I found the descriptions just too far out there for my liking.
ispeakbooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
Misty, a 10-year-old girl in Appalachia, is wounded from the get-go of this book due to family troubles. But she copes by 'speaking' with the things surrounding her: crawdads, bottles, walls, buildings, snakes, trees; she can speak with anything and everything except for people, especially those who are closest to her. Strange things start sprouting from the ground of her neighbor's garden.. and then her friend, William, abuses her in ways that no person deserves to be abused, but most especially someone so young. Then Misty struggles.
This book is like smashing one's finger in a car door or with a hammer. There is the knowledge that something bad is going to happen as you see your finger in harm's way but being unable to move it quickly enough. Next, it's sharp, painful, and makes you sick to your stomach. Then it is sore but exquisitely painful as you try to go about normal life without complaint. Finally, the old nail must fall off so new, healthy nail can grow, which it does and will continue to do.
The story is all told in third person, from Misty's perspective as the events are unfolding. It all takes place over the course of one summer. She is so confused and hurt by what is going on in her family and then the betrayal of trust by William. She's so young she doesn't know more than that it all hurts. She can't even name what has happened. It's all so honest and heartbreaking. I wanted to reach into the book and take the poor, unbelievably strong girl into my arms. The author does provide a trigger warning before the tale begins, which I think is wise, although nothing is described in explicit detail. The knowledge of what happens is enough to slice someone right to their core. I spent the last fourth of the book in tears, some of them ugly, sobbing tears. Misty is surrounded by loving relatives throughout, especially her older sister, even though they occasionally have their scrapes. Without them around, who is to say what might have happened.
I love books that are capable of moving me emotionally. That makes this one an easy 5 stars. Yet, in recommending it, I will be a bit more cautious. There is the knowledge of events that will make a reader's blood curdle. If you are extremely sensitive, you may want to take the process of reading this book slowly. The message of a new day is present at the end of the book; it's worth reaching that point.
This book is like smashing one's finger in a car door or with a hammer. There is the knowledge that something bad is going to happen as you see your finger in harm's way but being unable to move it quickly enough. Next, it's sharp, painful, and makes you sick to your stomach. Then it is sore but exquisitely painful as you try to go about normal life without complaint. Finally, the old nail must fall off so new, healthy nail can grow, which it does and will continue to do.
The story is all told in third person, from Misty's perspective as the events are unfolding. It all takes place over the course of one summer. She is so confused and hurt by what is going on in her family and then the betrayal of trust by William. She's so young she doesn't know more than that it all hurts. She can't even name what has happened. It's all so honest and heartbreaking. I wanted to reach into the book and take the poor, unbelievably strong girl into my arms. The author does provide a trigger warning before the tale begins, which I think is wise, although nothing is described in explicit detail. The knowledge of what happens is enough to slice someone right to their core. I spent the last fourth of the book in tears, some of them ugly, sobbing tears. Misty is surrounded by loving relatives throughout, especially her older sister, even though they occasionally have their scrapes. Without them around, who is to say what might have happened.
I love books that are capable of moving me emotionally. That makes this one an easy 5 stars. Yet, in recommending it, I will be a bit more cautious. There is the knowledge of events that will make a reader's blood curdle. If you are extremely sensitive, you may want to take the process of reading this book slowly. The message of a new day is present at the end of the book; it's worth reaching that point.
jlk64's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
tiaunnanchris's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
dllh's review against another edition
4.0
What a lovely, strange book. Little details here and there bugged me a bit, but the mood and lyricism of this book are really good. I liked the close-knit extended family too. And the book taught me that there's a thing called a crawdad chimney. I've had these things in my backyard for years and not known what they were (though occasionally we do find a crawdad), and Blooms has solved the mystery for me. I'll definitely follow Blooms's career with interest.