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daumari's review against another edition
4.0
In anticipation of Lee's book coming out this year (American born Chinese in the South! gimme a chance to period cosplay y'all), I looked to see if my library had her other books and yes, they did! Under a Painted Sky was Lee's debut novel a few years ago, and I loved it- I grew up in the intermountain west and live in Oregon, so I'm familiar with that stretch of history, and I haven't dabbled enough with fiction/YA to see how frequently it's covered but it hit my buttons.
Under a Painted Sky starts off quickly and dramatically, giving our heroine Samantha a reason to scramble out of town, accompanied by Annamae, a runaway enslaved girl. To better survive on the trail, they disguise themselves as Sammy and Andy, two boys hoping to be argonauts aka gold rush seekers (though each girl has specific, family-related reasons for heading west). They shortly encounter three cowboys to travel with, and travel goes on.
Things I liked: the novel does not shy away from the illness of the trail, or the reality of travel delays due to said illness or wagons outside woefully understaffed forts, etc. Racism and sexism are built into the fabric of the story, as that's what life was like for Asian and African American women in the 1800s. Stacey Lee is a 4th generation Chinese American like myself, so really feeling the #ownvoices part of this. Also, like Sammy, dan tats are my favorites.
Things that could've used work: West's personality wasn't there for me, though perhaps that's because his companions were so much more boldly drawn. That's ok though; 16 year old girls like broody boys, and it's totally fine if I don't also fall in love with the same love interest as the heroine does. There's not really resolution for one of Sammy's goals, but it's not an obvious dangling sequel hook.
While reading, I was reminded of [b:Walk on Earth a Stranger|17564519|Walk on Earth a Stranger (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #1)|Rae Carson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1424451210s/17564519.jpg|24498341] and the Gold Seeker trilogy by Rae Carson, a first-person YA I read last year that also covers the gold rush, albeit with the addition of fantastical power. I liked Under a Painted Sky better, maybe because of the character interactions (though Lee Westfall forms a trail family, she doesn't really have a gal pal in on her disguise though I think her boy person is aware? I forget) and multiple non-white characters (we existed then too, didn't just pop out of thin air in the 1960s...)
Would recommend: if you want a non-WASP historical YA or read #ownvoices, if you like adventure stories, and if you like gorgeous covers (though c'mon, we're here for the contents right)
Under a Painted Sky starts off quickly and dramatically, giving our heroine Samantha a reason to scramble out of town, accompanied by Annamae, a runaway enslaved girl. To better survive on the trail, they disguise themselves as Sammy and Andy, two boys hoping to be argonauts aka gold rush seekers (though each girl has specific, family-related reasons for heading west). They shortly encounter three cowboys to travel with, and travel goes on.
Things I liked: the novel does not shy away from the illness of the trail, or the reality of travel delays due to said illness or wagons outside woefully understaffed forts, etc. Racism and sexism are built into the fabric of the story, as that's what life was like for Asian and African American women in the 1800s. Stacey Lee is a 4th generation Chinese American like myself, so really feeling the #ownvoices part of this. Also, like Sammy, dan tats are my favorites.
Things that could've used work: West's personality wasn't there for me, though perhaps that's because his companions were so much more boldly drawn. That's ok though; 16 year old girls like broody boys, and it's totally fine if I don't also fall in love with the same love interest as the heroine does. There's not really resolution for one of Sammy's goals, but it's not an obvious dangling sequel hook.
While reading, I was reminded of [b:Walk on Earth a Stranger|17564519|Walk on Earth a Stranger (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #1)|Rae Carson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1424451210s/17564519.jpg|24498341] and the Gold Seeker trilogy by Rae Carson, a first-person YA I read last year that also covers the gold rush, albeit with the addition of fantastical power. I liked Under a Painted Sky better, maybe because of the character interactions (though Lee Westfall forms a trail family, she doesn't really have a gal pal in on her disguise though I think her boy person is aware? I forget) and multiple non-white characters (we existed then too, didn't just pop out of thin air in the 1960s...)
Would recommend: if you want a non-WASP historical YA or read #ownvoices, if you like adventure stories, and if you like gorgeous covers (though c'mon, we're here for the contents right)
adventuresinfictionland's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
caitiep92's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
heidi_checkedout's review
3.5
.Remembering that this is YA, it was pretty good. Fast paced, interesting characters. If you enjoyed playing Oregon Trail and like YA, this is a great pick!
emilye3's review against another edition
5.0
I love westerns so when I found out this was a western I was so excited. I read this for my local book club and it was so good! Getting to see and read things from characters that are very different from me is a nice break from everything going on. So happy to have read this book.
gmamartha's review against another edition
3.0
Adventure and danger around every bend, we follow these girls across the west while trying to pass as boys and get to family, while making a family as they travel.
I recommend for at least 9th grade.
I recommend for at least 9th grade.
addisonrutherford09's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was amazing. Incredibl plot, characters and everything I love in a book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
mary00's review against another edition
3.0
2 1/2 stars. This book was just OK for me. I found myself rooting for the main characters, but the entire plot was pretty implausible.
sarahatfrogcreek's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.25
steph01924's review against another edition
5.0
Great book! I loved all the characters, I loved the sisterhood that Andy and Sammy created for themselves (along with the rest of the remuda!), I loved the sweet romances with a side of angst. I'm a sucker for survival stories and for this time period, so those factors were just the icing on the cake.
It's a book about badass, cross-dressing chicks and the Oregon Trail - if you can read that statement and immediately not want to read this book, well, then, I feel a bit sorry for you, because you are missing out on a great adventure.
It's a book about badass, cross-dressing chicks and the Oregon Trail - if you can read that statement and immediately not want to read this book, well, then, I feel a bit sorry for you, because you are missing out on a great adventure.