I really enjoyed Nishat's story - there were tense, stressful, uncomfortable moments shot through her life, but they were all beautifully handled and I really enjoyed Nishat's story - there were tense, stressful, uncomfortable moments shot through her life, but they were all beautifully handled and never did it leave me in emotional straits too dire. (The few moments I desperately grimaced and hoped something would not come to pass as I suspected . . . were brought around well rather than crashing.)
Nishat's bond with her sister is wonderful - from their ups and downs - and her struggle with her school, and her friends, and the rest of her family . . . very real, as well as very well done. The anxiety, fear, anger, and upset of dealing with racism, homophobia, bigotry and assumptions, and all, were equally real while not being torturous to read.
I loved the ending, in several senses, and I was most pleased with the way the story drew to a close....more
To be honest, this book snagged my attention purely from the striking/pretty cover as I was walking past the YA section at my local library. It soundeTo be honest, this book snagged my attention purely from the striking/pretty cover as I was walking past the YA section at my local library. It sounded intriguing, so I packed it in my bag with about twenty pounds of other books that caught my eye similarly.
I was really intrigued especially by the worldbuilding, though I was left curious about some of the history and things - I am hoping that since this book has a sequel, I will find some of the further information I expected/wanted in that book. At first I was rather disappointed, because I was unaware there was a sequel . . . and even knowing there is, I would still have rather a little more of an ending, even with leading into the next book.
However I still enjoyed the story, and Keara managed to balance between sympathy and irritation for me - I find first-person narratives very tricky to read oftentimes, yet never was I tempted to put down this book. Keara's feelings towards Caw were her strongest driving trait and also the strongest draw of her - and her confusion, hesitance, and her ultimate surprise towards the end were all perfectly understandable and well-represented.
Some of the novel's twists legitimately surprised me pretty strongly, and again, I was left curious about further information in characters' pasts, or the religion of Keara's world, or the history of the country she lives in. (I also think this set-up is really . . . well, it's quite a dystopia, even if it isn't expressly shown in that specific light. Keara's world is creepily terrifying under the surface, even if often she doesn't realise it, as that is just 'how things are'.) I'd also love to hear more from Caw himself (through Keara's perspective, of course) going forwards, which I'm hopeful will happen with the slant of the ending of this book and the implications of what to expect in the next one....more
I felt some empathy for May Bird, and her life, but what really drew me into this book was curiosity about the Ever After and ghosts and everything thI felt some empathy for May Bird, and her life, but what really drew me into this book was curiosity about the Ever After and ghosts and everything that goes along with it, which was fascinating.
I also have to admit, I dearly loved Somber Kitty (even if not especially in those moments early in the book when he seems to merely frustrate and exasperate May herself with his loyalty and affection) and I loved that we got to follow pieces of his adventure along with May's. The narrow escape and high drama at the end of the book captured my attention and emotion more when it focused on poor, alone Somber Kitty than on the other group, to be honest.
I was only mildly frustrated when I reached the end of the book and found that I evidently should have made sure to have book two on hand to begin immediately. I knew it was part of a series, but I didn't know it was going to be one of those that ends on not-quite-a-cliffhanger!...more
Loading...
