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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I was primed to like this one, after hearing the author speak. Unfortunately, I found the prose to be clunky, the adoption angle sometimes overly explained, and the resolution a little too pat.
This book really spoke to me. Leila has been moved around from home to home through the foster system. The has a passion for saving the environment and she loves trees. Her best friend Sarika is the only one who knows she hears voices calling to her in the wind. It scares her but she has a system to keep them at bay.
I immensely enjoyed this book. The books main character is a young teen that has been shuffled around all her life. She has finally been adopted but shes scared to accept that they want her forever. So Leila is fighting to keep her self-neutral. Leila's character has been through some abuse and suffers from some depression. This book touches on so many different elements in just the right way. I love all the environmental things that are defined throughout the book. Then there is, of course, the supernatural that took me by total surprise. I wish that there was more. Maybe we will get a sequel. I think the book was written beautifully and I would recommend it to everyone.
I immensely enjoyed this book. The books main character is a young teen that has been shuffled around all her life. She has finally been adopted but shes scared to accept that they want her forever. So Leila is fighting to keep her self-neutral. Leila's character has been through some abuse and suffers from some depression. This book touches on so many different elements in just the right way. I love all the environmental things that are defined throughout the book. Then there is, of course, the supernatural that took me by total surprise. I wish that there was more. Maybe we will get a sequel. I think the book was written beautifully and I would recommend it to everyone.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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:
No
I loved how much the characters and what happens to them meant to me while reading this. I'm not adopted myself but I used to work with kids from children's homes so this story has a special layer of meaning for me as well!
Read this on my phone. Nice YA novel with some complicated themes. Enjoyed the characters, the environmental aspect, the Philly references, and the magic.
This is the first book I've ever read that comes from an adopted teens perspective, yet has a plotline that found a way to weave in how trauma and mental health illnesses might affect their journey. Wonderful book for both young adults and adults, with a really interesting fantasy twist.
This book has a bit of a different feel to it. It doesn't beat the reader over the head with environmentalism. The adoption theme is there but not overbearingly repeated. I loved the references to great books (although it's hard for me to hear that Princess Bride is old, LOL!)
Loved it! Such a unique take on fantasy. I’m super into conservation myself, so it was an engaging read. It was kinda cheesy at times, but that’s ok :)
I think this book has a little bit for everyone. The main character Leila has a whole lot going on. She has grown up moving from foster home to foster home. She has just been adopted, which she is struggling with. She has one of the more common forms of depression, seasonal affective disorder. She hears voices in her head calling out for help. Mixed in with her troubles is her love for the environment. Overall it is a well written book, and I enjoyed reading it. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley.
3 Stars
This is a really fun urban fantasy with a strong, biracial MC front and center. Lelia is a foster-child trying to navigate life in her new adoptive family and there was some fantastic discussion about acceptance and what it means to be a family.
This paired well with the strong earthy-vibes and focus on environmentalism. Without spoiling, the fantasy element directly ties to Lelia's connection with nature, and it's written rather beautifully.
Unfortunately, despite so many strong elements the pacing was really inconsistent. The fantasy element isn't introduced until 50% of the way through the book, and the resulting storyline feels VERY rushed.
The only antagonist is intensely stereotypical. She's a mean-girl-cheerleader type who will go out of her way just to mess with our mains... for what reason? Uh... just general bitchiness I guess? It felt really off and the senseless girl-hate really detracted from my enjoyment of the story.
That being said, there's also a really non-cliche romance storyline (with the main girl standing up for herself in a great way!) and lots of fun/accurate internet usage, so this really was enjoyable!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thanks to Flux for the opportunity!
"Nobody gets to 'well actually' me and get away with it."
This is a really fun urban fantasy with a strong, biracial MC front and center. Lelia is a foster-child trying to navigate life in her new adoptive family and there was some fantastic discussion about acceptance and what it means to be a family.
This paired well with the strong earthy-vibes and focus on environmentalism. Without spoiling, the fantasy element directly ties to Lelia's connection with nature, and it's written rather beautifully.
Unfortunately, despite so many strong elements the pacing was really inconsistent. The fantasy element isn't introduced until 50% of the way through the book, and the resulting storyline feels VERY rushed.
The only antagonist is intensely stereotypical. She's a mean-girl-cheerleader type who will go out of her way just to mess with our mains... for what reason? Uh... just general bitchiness I guess? It felt really off and the senseless girl-hate really detracted from my enjoyment of the story.
That being said, there's also a really non-cliche romance storyline (with the main girl standing up for herself in a great way!) and lots of fun/accurate internet usage, so this really was enjoyable!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thanks to Flux for the opportunity!
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Racism
Minor: Animal death, Mental illness, Death of parent, Abandonment