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latad_books's review
3.0
If I were a little more familiar with the Grimm “Brother and Sister” fairy tale, and Iphegenia’s tale, I’d have been able to appreciate this story even more. As it was, I adored the atmosphere—author Michelle Ruiz Kiel wonderfully evoked the nineties with the mentions of things like tv shows, and the kinds of available tech. I also really got a sense of wandering through Portland’s streets as I listened to this book.
Iph and Orr keep circling close to the other after Orr makes it to the city after escaping from a boot camp. And ends up with a punk band. (The siblings’ father mistakenly thought a boot camp was necessary for Orr to toughen up). Iph wanders the city with a fascinating individual, George, while looking for the band, the Furies, who took Orr in.
There’s a sense of the fantastic to the city and to the siblings’ interactions with others, and to the streets themselves. I think if I had read this, I would have struggled, but the audio helped me get through this sometimes confusing book.
Iph and Orr keep circling close to the other after Orr makes it to the city after escaping from a boot camp. And ends up with a punk band. (The siblings’ father mistakenly thought a boot camp was necessary for Orr to toughen up). Iph wanders the city with a fascinating individual, George, while looking for the band, the Furies, who took Orr in.
There’s a sense of the fantastic to the city and to the siblings’ interactions with others, and to the streets themselves. I think if I had read this, I would have struggled, but the audio helped me get through this sometimes confusing book.
aglavalo's review against another edition
3.0
Very surreal at times. Still trying to figure this one out but great vignettes of Portland in the 90s.
hallamahamster's review against another edition
3.0
This was ... not what I was expecting. Much slower paced than I had imagined. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and all the references to Portland landmarks. The magical realism doesn't start until the last third of the book, far enough along that I had forgotten it's a fantasy novel. Historical fantasy realism? Anyway, I'm glad I listened to the book, the author has a pleasant voice, and I kept my hands busy while wondering why Iph and Orr's parents are so absent. see also: 1990s.
lottie1803's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.75
natalie_tessara's review
4.0
I thought it was really well written! I struggled to grasp the second half of the book when the magical realism picks up more intensely. Also, multiple characters vividly throw up which are descriptions that I struggle to get through because of my own nausea. It was good though and I'm glad I read it
yeehaw_agenda's review against another edition
4.0
I mean wow what a book to start the year with. The middle chunk could have been about 50 pages shorter and was a bit of a slog, but the last third of the book was just the best payoff I've read in a long time. Just a beautiful story about loss and family and trust and what we owe each other. Magical realism at its best.
versamatrix's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
zellreads's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the way this book was mostly realistic for the first 2/3s, but has enough of a hint of magical realism that when it becomes the main plot of the story, it doesn't feel like as abrupt a change as it might otherwise have been. The characters here are all so fantastic, and I loved Iph and Orr's distinct voices, as well as the different ways they relate to their shared experiences.
bibi003's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this novel (which I listened to on audiobook, read by the author). Things I liked: 90s Portland, a diverse cast of characters, girl punk bands, sex positivity, and a sibling coming of age story. What I didn't like: it felt hard to sink into at times (I had to force myself to come back to this story again and again) and the sudden shift into magical realism lost me, somewhat, towards the end.
The dream sequence and Orestes' transformation into a deer were a bit too woo-woo for me. I love magic and I love fantasy, but something about this just didn't quite work. Listening to the author's notes at the end sort of helped me to understand what she was trying to do. But not enough for me to give it a 4th star in my gr rating.
I do really really love the cover art.
The dream sequence and Orestes' transformation into a deer were a bit too woo-woo for me. I love magic and I love fantasy, but something about this just didn't quite work. Listening to the author's notes at the end sort of helped me to understand what she was trying to do. But not enough for me to give it a 4th star in my gr rating.
I do really really love the cover art.
jazose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25