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chronicallybookish's Reviews (1.53k)
Quick Stats
Overall: 5 stars (I rounded up because it deserves it)
Characters: 5/5 stars
Plot: 5/5 stars
Setting: 5/5 stars
Writing:4/5 stars
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The Wide Starlight is a story containing Norwegian mythology/folklore. It follows Eli as she returns to the secluded Norwegian flord at the top of the world where she lived as a child as she searches for the truth about what happened the night her mother disappeared. Written from Eli’s point of view with multi-generational stories written like twisted bedtime stories sprinkled in, I was captivated by the world and story.
This is an incredible, strong debut by Nicole Lesperance and I can’t wait to read what she comes out with next.
The characters were all well rounded. Eli had a unique voice, and I never felt disconnected from her. I adored Iris’s character and their friendship. I do with we had gotten to see a little bit more of the forming of a relationship between Eli and Kaja, but what was there was well done.
It took me a few chapters to get drawn into the plot and writing, but once I did, I didn’t want to set down the book until I was finished. The magic was woven into every page beautifully. The story was supplemented with fairytale-esque stories that give the reader insight into Eli’s past in Svalvard and her mother’s past and experiences with Eli, magic, and her own mother. I loved this addition. It gave a whole new magical feel to the story and tied in with the plot very well.
When Eli arrived in Svalvard and began exploring I was swept up in the beautiful descriptions of the town at the top of the world. Everything about this novel is beautiful, magical, and atmospheric. I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re a fan of magical realism or contemporary fantasy.
A million thanks to PenguinTeen for an eARC of this book! This is an honest, unbiased review and all thoughts and opinions are my own!
Overall: 5 stars (I rounded up because it deserves it)
Characters: 5/5 stars
Plot: 5/5 stars
Setting: 5/5 stars
Writing:4/5 stars
~
The Wide Starlight is a story containing Norwegian mythology/folklore. It follows Eli as she returns to the secluded Norwegian flord at the top of the world where she lived as a child as she searches for the truth about what happened the night her mother disappeared. Written from Eli’s point of view with multi-generational stories written like twisted bedtime stories sprinkled in, I was captivated by the world and story.
This is an incredible, strong debut by Nicole Lesperance and I can’t wait to read what she comes out with next.
The characters were all well rounded. Eli had a unique voice, and I never felt disconnected from her. I adored Iris’s character and their friendship. I do with we had gotten to see a little bit more of the forming of a relationship between Eli and Kaja, but what was there was well done.
It took me a few chapters to get drawn into the plot and writing, but once I did, I didn’t want to set down the book until I was finished. The magic was woven into every page beautifully. The story was supplemented with fairytale-esque stories that give the reader insight into Eli’s past in Svalvard and her mother’s past and experiences with Eli, magic, and her own mother. I loved this addition. It gave a whole new magical feel to the story and tied in with the plot very well.
When Eli arrived in Svalvard and began exploring I was swept up in the beautiful descriptions of the town at the top of the world. Everything about this novel is beautiful, magical, and atmospheric. I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re a fan of magical realism or contemporary fantasy.
A million thanks to PenguinTeen for an eARC of this book! This is an honest, unbiased review and all thoughts and opinions are my own!
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4.5 stars
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Wow. I mean, I was expecting it to be good, but it definitely didn’t disappoint.
Patron Saints follows Jay, a Filipino-American teen as he returns to his roots and searches for the truth behind his cousin’s killing as a part of the Philippines’ war on drugs.
I must admit, I was nervous going into it because it’s called Patron Saints of Nothing. Patron saints are a Catholic belief, and as a Catholic, I have seen lots of bad and insulting representation in YA fiction. However, all talk of Catholicism and religion in general was very respectful and well thought out. In the story Jay talks about being raised Catholic and enjoying Mass, but that his family has fallen away from the faith. He does express a little remorse at that at one point but overall doesn’t seem interested in returning to the faith—which is perfectly fine! I love that even though he doesn’t always agree with the Church or believe in it, he still sees the beauty in the prayer and tradition.
Jun, Jay’s cousin who died, expresses distaste for the Church in letters he wrote to Jay when they were younger, but even this is done respectfully. Ribay showed that you can disagree with a religion and still be respectful towards it and that made me love the book all the more.
It also had beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking descriptions into life in the Philippines. I learned a lot from this book and definitely had a shift in my perspective. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!
~
Wow. I mean, I was expecting it to be good, but it definitely didn’t disappoint.
Patron Saints follows Jay, a Filipino-American teen as he returns to his roots and searches for the truth behind his cousin’s killing as a part of the Philippines’ war on drugs.
I must admit, I was nervous going into it because it’s called Patron Saints of Nothing. Patron saints are a Catholic belief, and as a Catholic, I have seen lots of bad and insulting representation in YA fiction. However, all talk of Catholicism and religion in general was very respectful and well thought out. In the story Jay talks about being raised Catholic and enjoying Mass, but that his family has fallen away from the faith. He does express a little remorse at that at one point but overall doesn’t seem interested in returning to the faith—which is perfectly fine! I love that even though he doesn’t always agree with the Church or believe in it, he still sees the beauty in the prayer and tradition.
Jun, Jay’s cousin who died, expresses distaste for the Church in letters he wrote to Jay when they were younger, but even this is done respectfully. Ribay showed that you can disagree with a religion and still be respectful towards it and that made me love the book all the more.
It also had beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking descriptions into life in the Philippines. I learned a lot from this book and definitely had a shift in my perspective. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!
This is my second time reading this book and I still can’t formulate my immeasurable love for this book into words. It is my absolute favorite book of all time.
Please read it.
5000000000/5 stars
Please read it.
5000000000/5 stars
