A review by greymalkin
Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
While I didn't connect much with Molly as a character, I adored her relationship with Vivian and the story that unfolded.
Spoiler
I ADORED her final adoptive parents story. I didn't need or want her to have a "happily ever after wrapped up in bows and sunshine and kittens" story for her. I loved that you could see all the elements of everything she went through and everything she learned coming together here. I liked that you could see her coming into her own in and blossoming. It was so much more rewarding and emotionally satisfying than if she'd just ended up in a house with parents that doted on her and she just passively let them. I didn't care for Vivian's romance, there was so little chemistry or reason for it. I would have been much happier if they had reunited as found siblings or even just best friends. But it didn't ruin the book, it was just a bit disappointing after all of the other relationships were so finely drawn and had such complexity and depth.Moderate: Rape