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dale_in_va's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The audiobook had a wonderful epilogue from the Author, explaining how she came about this speculative fiction project. I found myself rooting for Redwood and Aiden throughout the book. I really enjoyed the journey.
I found myself wondering why this was considered speculative fiction rather than historical fiction, and it is sad to say, that it is difficult to imagine someone like Redwood, Iris or Aiden for that matter living long enough to have their adventures here i the US during that time period. The pretty much explain it in the book.. in real life, whites would have lynched, murdered, gettoize, set fire too, basically destroyed anything they tried to create. So, it is nice to enter a fantasy world where a person of color can have agency.
I found myself wondering why this was considered speculative fiction rather than historical fiction, and it is sad to say, that it is difficult to imagine someone like Redwood, Iris or Aiden for that matter living long enough to have their adventures here i the US during that time period. The pretty much explain it in the book.. in real life, whites would have lynched, murdered, gettoize, set fire too, basically destroyed anything they tried to create. So, it is nice to enter a fantasy world where a person of color can have agency.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Rape, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, Incest, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Gaslighting
The book has very few white main characters and is writting in vernacular english.utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: lynching
If there's one thing you should know about this historical fiction with a fantasy tilt, is that it's dedicated to unfolding the characters. To getting not only a sense of who they are, but what their motivations, pasts, and secrets are. It honors the stories that shape us and the repeating cycles which trap us - wondering if we can break free. I was instantly drawn to the friendship between Aidan and Redwood. Overall, it's still my favorite element of the story.
As Redwood and Wildfire progresses, Hairston illustrates a story about struggle and love. A story about dreams we nurture even though they flicker. It's about lives we may only touch for a moment and pieces of what we want that turn out not to be enough. Aidan and Redwood have to figure out on their own, their own paths, expectations, and purpose. It exemplifies that we have to want to change for ourselves. While this may not be necessarily a love story, it's certainly a character study.
TW: lynching
If there's one thing you should know about this historical fiction with a fantasy tilt, is that it's dedicated to unfolding the characters. To getting not only a sense of who they are, but what their motivations, pasts, and secrets are. It honors the stories that shape us and the repeating cycles which trap us - wondering if we can break free. I was instantly drawn to the friendship between Aidan and Redwood. Overall, it's still my favorite element of the story.
As Redwood and Wildfire progresses, Hairston illustrates a story about struggle and love. A story about dreams we nurture even though they flicker. It's about lives we may only touch for a moment and pieces of what we want that turn out not to be enough. Aidan and Redwood have to figure out on their own, their own paths, expectations, and purpose. It exemplifies that we have to want to change for ourselves. While this may not be necessarily a love story, it's certainly a character study.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
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