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joyful_patatas's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
I did genuinely enjoy this book even as a middle grade book. This one follows the theme of identity and culture where the adventure lets the main character, Morgan, learns a bit of her Cree heritage in her time in Askí with Ochek, Arik, and Eli. The dialogue and dynamic of the group was great to read and the mentions on the how the two-legged animals view the land and creatures is identical to how the Indigenous communities viewed the world. The villain of the story taking on the role similar to the colonizers was also an interesting take by taking actual history and implementing it in a middle grade book.
In all, I do hope more people, children especially, read this book and find joy in following the adventure of these peculiar, but fun bunch.
The reason I gave it three stars is mainly because I am nit-picky. I did find the villain underwhelming because of the lack of story behind him. Why did he go to Askí? Why did he not leave? Why did he build a cabin in an area where they are no prey? He was only alive for less than 50 pages after meeting him. I know this is a middle grade book, so I know I am being hard, but the wild up after the tribe kept describing how horrible he was made the reveal and confrontation underwhelming.
In all, I do hope more people, children especially, read this book and find joy in following the adventure of these peculiar, but fun bunch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood, and Child abuse
Minor: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, and Racism
harrownova's review
adventurous
hopeful
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Kidnapping
bookishbrittany's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a MG/YA portal fantasy about a Morgan and Eli, two Cree children who live in Winnipeg and end up in the same foster home where they one day find a doorway to a fantasy world call Misewa that is influenced by the Cree people and their language.
I found the story to have a timeless quality and is a portal fantasy for a new generation. What's even better is this is a Cree story, told by a Cree author and narrated by a Cree actress. Robertson puts so much heart into this story and I found listening to it on audiobook just elevates to a whole other level. Especially when characters are speaking Cree, it is a beautiful language to the ears. The narrator Brefney Caribou-Curtin gives a phenomenal performance to as Morgan, Eli and the secondary characters.
I am really looking forward to the sequel and think all parents should be adding this to their childrens bookshelves.
I found the story to have a timeless quality and is a portal fantasy for a new generation. What's even better is this is a Cree story, told by a Cree author and narrated by a Cree actress. Robertson puts so much heart into this story and I found listening to it on audiobook just elevates to a whole other level. Especially when characters are speaking Cree, it is a beautiful language to the ears. The narrator Brefney Caribou-Curtin gives a phenomenal performance to as Morgan, Eli and the secondary characters.
I am really looking forward to the sequel and think all parents should be adding this to their childrens bookshelves.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, and Racism
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