WOW! Honestly it has been a really long time since I stayed up past my bedtime to read a book (these days I usually fall asleep if I try). But I whittled my sleep schedule down last night to after midnight (a big deal for me haha) to finish this book. Eden captures a fascinating cast of characters in this book -- Jared alone is a character I'll be thinking about for a long time. Very rarely do you have a character who so perfectly walks the line between selfishness and selflessness, especially in a teenaged character -- and that's just Jared. Each character had something new and unique about them that got them into your mind and wouldn't let them leave. ****
How does it bring Canada into Focus? (Some mild spoilers ahead)*** The book covers some indigenous issues, taking place during Idle No More -- not that Jared realizes that. His somewhat girlfriend is passionate about decolonization, but Jared never really gets it. The scenes bounce between town and res, and people living in the space between traditional culture and modern life. The magic that insidiously grows within the book, in my mind, can represent so many issues, but as history is on my mind right now, it seems particularly poignant. As Jared became older, more independent, and more exposed to Sarah and her decolonial ideas, as so did magic expose itself to him. If Jared had had access to his family and cultural history, how would have things been different for him? How would the this life, or even the events of the book been different? How many indigenous people are witches with access to this magic, but just can't access it? How does colonial life break or mask the connection?
****
Can't wait to hear @kaniehtiio and her defense of this book!