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hugbandit7's review
4.0
If I could only use one word to describe this book, I think it would be poetic. The words flow seamlessly from one subject to another and the imagery fits East Texas to a T.
There are several plots in this story that meld together. There is a young boy, Jonah, that is just trying to survive despite abject poverty. River, a young woman that has lost her way but is determined to find her path, and John Curtis and Cade, local drug dealers and thugs who believe they are above the law. This novel is gritty and while has some happy moments, shows us the true underbelly of the drug world and the ruthlessness of those involved.
"How much of this life is truly your choice?"
This line resonated with me because I believe that we all make choices in our lives. Those choices may not always be the right ones, but every situation can be a learning experience. Of course, there are people and circumstances that create situations not of our choosing or making, but those are the times that one can learn from it and I think that is what happens with River and Jonah at different times throughout the book.
"You've made yourself the world's victim and you'll do the same with this."
Jonah may be just 13, but he has seen a lot in his young life. His mother left him and his father is not a kind man. Plus his living situation isn't wonderful but thankfully there is the kindness of a neighbor that looks out for him and gives him food when Jonah visits. This may be Jonah's saving grace in life from a horrible life and abusive father. Jonah realizes that he wants more from life than what he has and seeks to find a better life for himself.
"He was her lifeline in so many ways. And he was kind to her. More kind than any human had ever been."
I think my favorite character might have been River. She realized (albeit a bit too late perhaps) that a life wrapped up with drugs and thugs may not be the best for her. There was quite a little twist near the end that was quite the surprise. Her life was possibly never going to be all her own. However, her time with Jonah helped her see the good in people and strive harder to change her circumstances.
"We all come to appreciate those things lost to us. The sweetest breath of the day not realized until the night. Such is our reckoning as men. And how do you keep going, when something so meaningful is taken from you? How do you move forward? How do you move at all?"
This introspective quote gave me a lot to ponder. We all have losses in our lives and it is the hope for a better tomorrow that keeps us moving forward. I think that is what River and Jonah discover in their short time together. There is even a moment for John Curtis where I thought that he might want to change his life but it might have been too late for him.
This book will paint a picture of a world many of us are not subjected to but it gives us a glimpse into the lives of these characters and how they adapt and adjust to what life has thrown at them. The ending is both sad and joyful at the same time.
We give this book 4 paws up.
There are several plots in this story that meld together. There is a young boy, Jonah, that is just trying to survive despite abject poverty. River, a young woman that has lost her way but is determined to find her path, and John Curtis and Cade, local drug dealers and thugs who believe they are above the law. This novel is gritty and while has some happy moments, shows us the true underbelly of the drug world and the ruthlessness of those involved.
"How much of this life is truly your choice?"
This line resonated with me because I believe that we all make choices in our lives. Those choices may not always be the right ones, but every situation can be a learning experience. Of course, there are people and circumstances that create situations not of our choosing or making, but those are the times that one can learn from it and I think that is what happens with River and Jonah at different times throughout the book.
"You've made yourself the world's victim and you'll do the same with this."
Jonah may be just 13, but he has seen a lot in his young life. His mother left him and his father is not a kind man. Plus his living situation isn't wonderful but thankfully there is the kindness of a neighbor that looks out for him and gives him food when Jonah visits. This may be Jonah's saving grace in life from a horrible life and abusive father. Jonah realizes that he wants more from life than what he has and seeks to find a better life for himself.
"He was her lifeline in so many ways. And he was kind to her. More kind than any human had ever been."
I think my favorite character might have been River. She realized (albeit a bit too late perhaps) that a life wrapped up with drugs and thugs may not be the best for her. There was quite a little twist near the end that was quite the surprise. Her life was possibly never going to be all her own. However, her time with Jonah helped her see the good in people and strive harder to change her circumstances.
"We all come to appreciate those things lost to us. The sweetest breath of the day not realized until the night. Such is our reckoning as men. And how do you keep going, when something so meaningful is taken from you? How do you move forward? How do you move at all?"
This introspective quote gave me a lot to ponder. We all have losses in our lives and it is the hope for a better tomorrow that keeps us moving forward. I think that is what River and Jonah discover in their short time together. There is even a moment for John Curtis where I thought that he might want to change his life but it might have been too late for him.
This book will paint a picture of a world many of us are not subjected to but it gives us a glimpse into the lives of these characters and how they adapt and adjust to what life has thrown at them. The ending is both sad and joyful at the same time.
We give this book 4 paws up.
shonami's review
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? It's complicated
4.5
James Wade has done it again for me with his second book , River Sing Out. This is the third book of his that I have read, and he has yet to disappoint me. Wade has been and will remain an auto buy author for me.
This book has it all, a captivating story, well-developed characters, and an immersive atmosphere. Wade has a knack for transporting readers to make them feel they are right there in the story, and River Sing Out is no exception. It may be his most transportive book yet . The vivid descriptions and attention to detail create an atmosphere that pulls you in from the very first page.
The story follows Jonah, a teenage boy living in a rundown trailer on the Neches River in East Texas. With record rainfall and flooding, an absebtee and abusive father life is bleak for Jonah. One day River, a young woman running from dangerous drug runners, stumbles upon his trailer. As their friendship grows, Jonah becomes determined to protect her.
The book is told in alternating perspectives between Jonah and the drug runners and the river itself is it’s own mysterious character. This adds layers of suspense and depth to the story, keeping readers invested and caring about what happens next until the end when it all comes together. Wade incorporates themes of hope, fear, choice, friendship, consequence, and spirituality throughout the narrative.
Wade's writing style is beautiful. His use of imagery is flawless with descriptive prose allowing readers to feel the Texas humidity, sense the mud squishing between their toes from the river, and experience the raindrops on their own faces. All without being overdone or wordy.
River Sing Out is a remarkable book. Wade has once again, for me, demonstrated his ability to craft a compelling story with unforgettable characters in a rich atmosphere transporting me into the story! I highly recommend this book.
This book has it all, a captivating story, well-developed characters, and an immersive atmosphere. Wade has a knack for transporting readers to make them feel they are right there in the story, and River Sing Out is no exception. It may be his most transportive book yet . The vivid descriptions and attention to detail create an atmosphere that pulls you in from the very first page.
The story follows Jonah, a teenage boy living in a rundown trailer on the Neches River in East Texas. With record rainfall and flooding, an absebtee and abusive father life is bleak for Jonah. One day River, a young woman running from dangerous drug runners, stumbles upon his trailer. As their friendship grows, Jonah becomes determined to protect her.
The book is told in alternating perspectives between Jonah and the drug runners and the river itself is it’s own mysterious character. This adds layers of suspense and depth to the story, keeping readers invested and caring about what happens next until the end when it all comes together. Wade incorporates themes of hope, fear, choice, friendship, consequence, and spirituality throughout the narrative.
Wade's writing style is beautiful. His use of imagery is flawless with descriptive prose allowing readers to feel the Texas humidity, sense the mud squishing between their toes from the river, and experience the raindrops on their own faces. All without being overdone or wordy.
River Sing Out is a remarkable book. Wade has once again, for me, demonstrated his ability to craft a compelling story with unforgettable characters in a rich atmosphere transporting me into the story! I highly recommend this book.
rottyreads's review
1.0
with in the first 5% of the book there's an N word with a hard R. nope. not the book for me. I don't care if its a character set in the south. I wouldn't accept it from a white person i'm talking to, i'm not about to accept it from a white author either. nope.
emileereadsbooks's review
dark
sad
tense
slow-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
3.75
Thank you Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the gifted book!
Two things about this book drew me in. This GORGEOUS cover and the fact that it's set in East Texas. As an East Texas girl, I could not resist. However, I should have paid more attention because this book is set in Deep East Texas not the Northeast Texas that I call home. Now, it will transport you to those forested river bottoms. It has a very strong sense of place. Also this book is described in one blurb as Southern noir, which is not my personal cup of tea. And describing this book and the structure is very hard to do, but here is the good and bad of it from my perspective. The good: the prose is gorgeous. Set apart from the rough content (which I will get to momentarily) this book is incredibly beautifully written. Some sentences I would hear and just repeat to myself because they were really that special. Now the bad: the content. This book is ROUGH. Yes, it revolves around the meth trade and poverty and abuse that affect the setting, but it does not pull any punches describing the tortures people can inflict on one another. I was not infrequently grimacing while listening. And the book is pretty slow and meandering to get from major plot point to major plot point.
Overall I think the book is well written and my friends who love lyrical prose and a slower character driven novel will probably enjoy this one. But it just was not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Murder
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