3 stars.

I was so excited to read this after hearing so many good things from friends and podcasters. However, Long Bright River did not meet the hype for me.

When I would sit down to read it, I couldn't put it down. However...I have issues. Mainly, I WANTED MORE EXPLANATION . Parts of the plot near the end of the book could have been more drawn out, and that is saying something given the fact that it's nearly 500 pages. I wanted more.

The main character made me want to throw the book at the wall. @ Mickey -Hi, how about we not be selfish right now?!? Also, I didn't understand the dynamic of the O'Brien family. Why would they turn against one family member that takes in a child when the parent can't provide for that child?

In the end, I think because I don't have a sibling, I may not have found much value in the rocky sisterly dynamics between Kacey and Mickey as others did.

If you have siblings, kids, or family that doesn't talk to you, you will get more out of this than I did.

Here's how my rating saga went for this. First, it was a solid three stars, and then about 75% it moved up to 4 stars...and then the ending pushed it back down to three stars.