I'm on the fence about how much I liked this. I'm not a big fan of first person voice, but I didn't mind it here as I enjoyed the 'old-fashioned' style of Ada delving into self-discovery and the sisterhood she finds. I mostly enjoyed the gender-non-conformity of the Holl in the Wall's leader The Kid since they had the most distinct presence excluding Ada. But she and many supporting characters were also written too similarly to tell them apart. From beginning to end, there was a pang of wanting a grander scope of the world-building and where the plot was going. As a book set with an alternative history, I also wished it had gone the opposite route than sectioning off white characters VS everyone else, or only recognizing gay and lesbians from the LGBTQ+ community. The plot felt like it was touching on feminist themes, but not quite sure how to go all the way with intersectional ones.

Westerns with a feminist-edge are becoming an emerging genre, and this was a fine entry with an alternative twist. Even with ever-extending library due-dates, I wasn't exactly racing to finish it. I mostly enjoyed the atmosphere of the book (if that makes sense lol) and would love to see it as a TV series. I'm also low-key loving the amount of reviewers who wanted a different book that didn't focus on social justice...when the mere summary heavily themes women's reproductive issues. Talk about expectations vs reality.

I'd recommend to read it if you enjoy True Grit mixed with Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale.