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deandra_lalonde's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Rape, Racism, Sexual harassment, and Slavery
kelly_e's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Title: Gutter Child
Author: Jael Richardson
Genre: Dystopian Fiction
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: January 26 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Haunting • Raw • Original
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Set in the dystopian world of a nation divided into the privileged Mainland and the policed Gutter, Jael Richardson's debut tells the story of Elimina, one of 100 Gutter children taken to be raised in the Mainland as part of a social experiment. Following the death of her Mainland mother, her life is completely upended when she finds herself living a life of servitude. Gutter Child explores a fractured world of disadvantage and injustice that is all too real, and is a timely story of both perseverance and bravery, and of strength and survival.
💭 T H O U G H T S
My expectations going into this one were sky high given its popularity, and that certainly could have impacted my experience with it. I absolutely see its merits, and commend Jael Richardson on such a fierce debut. However, I didn't love it.
The parallels to the real world cannot be ignored. It is very well written, and heavy novel with strong themes and an in depth exploration of race, class, privilege, identity and colonization guaranteed to spark discussion. Where I couldn't get on board is in the structure. The dialogue at times seemed repetitive, and outside of Elimina, I felt the character development was lacking. It felt more to me like a YA dystopian than anything else. Finally, the ending felt so rushed, which I now understand may be due to the fact there's talk of a sequel. With all this being said, this is a timely, heart-breaking and important book, that will have me thinking long after I've finished it.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Book clubs
• fans of YA dystopian
• readers who enjoy a good coming of cage story
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
" 'Purpose gets you through whatever comes.' "
" 'We didn't plan this or ask for this. But we ended up here anyway. And all we can do it try to survive.' "
"When I drew pictures of mother and me, I used Peach for her and Chestnut for myself. 'Why is your skin named after something soft and sweet and mine is something hard and bitter?' 'Because you are so much tougher,' she said. I thought that was a very good answer. And maybe it's true. But I am forced to be tough. It takes a particular kind of strength to exist in a world where you are not wanted that doesn't feel like strength at all. Like giving up or giving in would be easier, smarter even. Maybe that is my chestnut, my toughness. The fact that I am still here."
Author: Jael Richardson
Genre: Dystopian Fiction
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: January 26 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Haunting • Raw • Original
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Set in the dystopian world of a nation divided into the privileged Mainland and the policed Gutter, Jael Richardson's debut tells the story of Elimina, one of 100 Gutter children taken to be raised in the Mainland as part of a social experiment. Following the death of her Mainland mother, her life is completely upended when she finds herself living a life of servitude. Gutter Child explores a fractured world of disadvantage and injustice that is all too real, and is a timely story of both perseverance and bravery, and of strength and survival.
💭 T H O U G H T S
My expectations going into this one were sky high given its popularity, and that certainly could have impacted my experience with it. I absolutely see its merits, and commend Jael Richardson on such a fierce debut. However, I didn't love it.
The parallels to the real world cannot be ignored. It is very well written, and heavy novel with strong themes and an in depth exploration of race, class, privilege, identity and colonization guaranteed to spark discussion. Where I couldn't get on board is in the structure. The dialogue at times seemed repetitive, and outside of Elimina, I felt the character development was lacking. It felt more to me like a YA dystopian than anything else. Finally, the ending felt so rushed, which I now understand may be due to the fact there's talk of a sequel. With all this being said, this is a timely, heart-breaking and important book, that will have me thinking long after I've finished it.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Book clubs
• fans of YA dystopian
• readers who enjoy a good coming of cage story
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
" 'Purpose gets you through whatever comes.' "
" 'We didn't plan this or ask for this. But we ended up here anyway. And all we can do it try to survive.' "
"When I drew pictures of mother and me, I used Peach for her and Chestnut for myself. 'Why is your skin named after something soft and sweet and mine is something hard and bitter?' 'Because you are so much tougher,' she said. I thought that was a very good answer. And maybe it's true. But I am forced to be tough. It takes a particular kind of strength to exist in a world where you are not wanted that doesn't feel like strength at all. Like giving up or giving in would be easier, smarter even. Maybe that is my chestnut, my toughness. The fact that I am still here."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Racism, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, and Slavery
Minor: Death of parent and Mental illness
classism, colourismthatsssorachael's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.0
I got this book through my SweetReads book subscription box, I had never heard of it before. This isn't something I normally would have picked up on my own, but I am glad to have read it.
The first third of the novel is slooooooow, and with my reading slump it took me a while to get through that. But as soon as she leaves her academy, things pick up and I was really invested. I did find the dialogue to be stilted in parts, but in other parts it flowed really well. The writing was good, and I found myself enjoying reading for the sake of reading more than being invested in the characters. That being said, the characters were all well-rounded, and they had excellent character development.
This author is not afraid to take things very dark, and I think that's why this is pitched and marketed as an adult book as opposed to YA. It would have excellent crossover appeal though, but for the right teenager. There's a lot of loss in these pages, and it can be shocking.
I think this is a good social justice novel, but I wish the world was built a bit clearer from the get go. I found the first few chapters pretty confusing as it's just a cold open into a world that isn't ours. I would have liked more of a crash course before she even got to the school, but I understand where the author was going with that. This book will be a huge winner for some, so if it sounds interesting to you, definitely give it a go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Suicide
Moderate: Rape, Gun violence, and Miscarriage
jfriend_3's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Trafficking, Violence, Rape, Miscarriage, Mass/school shootings, Gun violence, and Forced institutionalization
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