Reviews

One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome

librarykym's review

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

sometimes_i_write_things's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

6 Hours

thebookkeepers's review

The formatting of this book really hindered the reading experience. Being a novel in verse, a lot of weight is given to format in regard to cadence and continuity. This could have been an issue with the Netgalley version and to be fixed later, but it was hard to note POV changes from Sylvia to Lettie and there was odd text sizing in various places for which I wasn't sure if it was intentional or accidental. I found myself not really enjoying the story or connecting to the characters, perhaps because of the technical issues but it's hard to say.

azajacks's review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

4.0

lydia_smith's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective slow-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

Truly enjoyed this peek into a piece of history I know little about. The Black Homesteader movement is largely left out of history books, but there were many who made their way out west. This book follows three women choosing to make a life for themselves in Nebraska. It doesn't shy away from the heartbreaks and challenges that Pioneers faced, nor does it shy away from the hope and grit that carried them forward. A must-read for anyone wanting to understand more about westward expansion and the pioneer movement.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Death and Slavery

the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective 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? N/A

3.0

Book Review: One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Rating: 3 Stars

Summary: In "One Big Open Sky" by Lesa Cline-Ransome, three women narrate a dangerous journey westward in 1879, exploring the Black homesteader movement. Lettie, a young dreamer, her mother Sylvia, and teacher Philomena seek freedom and independence as they travel to Nebraska in search of their own plot of land. However, facing limited supplies and looming danger, their hopes for a better future are challenged.

Review: First off, I have to give a shoutout to the captivating cover of this book – it definitely caught my eye. Now, diving into the story, I really wanted to love "One Big Open Sky." The characters were well-rounded and the storyline was engaging. However, the freestyle verse and the absence of punctuation made the reading experience a bit arduous. While the narrative was compelling, the unconventional writing style hindered my ability to fully immerse myself in the emotional journey of Lettie, Sylvia, and Philomena. Despite this drawback, the exploration of themes like freedom, poverty, and the struggles faced by Black homesteaders added depth to the novel.

In conclusion, "One Big Open Sky" offers a poignant portrayal of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Though the writing style may not be for everyone, the story's powerful message and well-developed characters make it worth a read for those interested in historical fiction with a unique storytelling approach.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

darthchrista's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring fast-paced

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

5.0

Whole groups of formerly enslaved people traveled West as pioneers to have land and freedom.  

arrrgh_schooling's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring sad 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? No

4.0

readalongwithmj's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

youdonemessedupa_aron's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0