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lydia_smith's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Colonisation and Animal death
theverycraftyvegan's review
- 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
5.0
The Barren Grounds is an indigenous story about a fantasy world very much like C. S. Lewis’ Narnia, but also completely different. Very well written and I couldn’t put it down. I cannot wait to start the second book in the series; The Great Bear.
Graphic: Abandonment, Animal death, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence, and Grief
katerdate's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death
kalira's review
- 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
4.25
The adventures and dangers the children go through feel very real for being part of a fantastical world, and somehow intertwined not too jarringly with the very disparate arc of Morgan learning so much more about herself and her past, though there are still large missing pieces to that. . .
Graphic: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Animal death
Moderate: Colonisation and Cultural appropriation
mtlaise's review
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Animal death
joyful_patatas's review
- 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
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.
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood, and Child abuse
Minor: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, and Racism
rorikae's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Morgan and Eli are two foster children, living together in a house in Winnipeg with their foster parents. New to the home, they are struggling to connect with one another. One night, they discover a portal in their attic that utilizes one of Eli's drawings to transport them to a snow covered world. Populated by animals, this world was once lush before acts by a selfish human transformed it. Eli and Morgan will have to go on an adventure with Ochek, a Fisher, and Arik, a squirrel, to see if they can transform the world back to what it once was.
'The Barren Grounds' is a heart filled middle grade novel. Robertson creates an intriguing fantastical world that draws on Indigenous stories. Beyond the adventures, the story also delves into what it is like for Indigenous foster children that are paired with white foster parents, including microaggressions and the complicated feelings that come with connection or lack of connection with one's heritage. Morgan and Eli are engaging characters and even though Morgan isn't instantly likable, she is incredibly understandable, which makes it easy to care for her. As she and Eli discover the world in their attic and begin to explore it together, they start to connect with one another.
There are many references to Narnia in this story and though it clearly is an influence, Robertson has created a story that is wholly its own while also playing with familiar tropes. It also has lessons peppered throughout, including humanity's impact on the land when they don't act as proper stewards. It does feel like the start of a series and there is clearly much more for the characters to discover in subsequent books. I'll definitely be following along with the series and I'm intrigued to see what Morgan and Eli get up to next.
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Grief, Racism, and Violence
bookishbrittany's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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.
Minor: Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, and Racism