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3.5/5 stars
The Pemmican Wars is the first of a teen graphic novel series, A Girl Called Echo. It follows Echo, a Metis girl who discovers while day dreaming that she can travel in time to a group of Metis people. Through this, she discovers the strain her people went through during the Pemmican Wars in North America.
I really loved Katherena Vermette's adult novel, The Break. And while I really enjoyed this, I think it was a tad too short to really grab the attention of a teenager. The illustrations are gorgeous, and I loved the way the graphic novel was laid out, but it was just a bit to short to accomplish an intriguing plot. It does, however, illustrate exactly the kind of melancholy around what Metis went through - and continue to deal with today. Not many Metis people know their history, and many are still discriminated against by the Canadian and American governments.
The Pemmican Wars is the first of a teen graphic novel series, A Girl Called Echo. It follows Echo, a Metis girl who discovers while day dreaming that she can travel in time to a group of Metis people. Through this, she discovers the strain her people went through during the Pemmican Wars in North America.
I really loved Katherena Vermette's adult novel, The Break. And while I really enjoyed this, I think it was a tad too short to really grab the attention of a teenager. The illustrations are gorgeous, and I loved the way the graphic novel was laid out, but it was just a bit to short to accomplish an intriguing plot. It does, however, illustrate exactly the kind of melancholy around what Metis went through - and continue to deal with today. Not many Metis people know their history, and many are still discriminated against by the Canadian and American governments.
maybe 1.5/5? 2/5?
TW: sexual assault, trauma
For a book that touches on such an important topic, I'm really disappointed that I didn't like it. I read this for a YA lit class in uni, and I had never heard of it before, which makes me even more disappointed in it.
If you don't know, this novel follows Tori the day after she is sexually assaulted by her ex-boyfriend. To cope with the trauma, Tori vows to become more tough, more hard, so that no one can walk over her or try to take advantage of her again. She soon discovers, however, that this isn't the way to cope, and a little girl at a women and children's shelter helps Tori to learn just that.
To be blunt, I have several issues with this novel. First off, the writing is too simple, too utilitarian. It's clunky - to use the phrase of my roommate - and it makes this tiny, 200 page book feel as though it's dragging along as it points to things to tell you about. Especially the very beginning and end. "I did this because of this. And also this. Then I did this."
I also was disappointed in Tori. Not because she was trying to cope with trauma, but because she's so mean towards the other girls in the novel. She sort of grows out of this, but it's never pointed out just how hard she is on the girls around her. She resorts to calling a rival soccer team the "Blue Bitches," she calls out girls (in her narration) on what they wear and how they look. I know all teens are judgemental and self-centred, but Tori never really learns exactly how harmful and constructed thinking these things are.
So yeah, I wouldn't recommend this, but I also wouldn't totally stop you from reading it.
TW: sexual assault, trauma
For a book that touches on such an important topic, I'm really disappointed that I didn't like it. I read this for a YA lit class in uni, and I had never heard of it before, which makes me even more disappointed in it.
If you don't know, this novel follows Tori the day after she is sexually assaulted by her ex-boyfriend. To cope with the trauma, Tori vows to become more tough, more hard, so that no one can walk over her or try to take advantage of her again. She soon discovers, however, that this isn't the way to cope, and a little girl at a women and children's shelter helps Tori to learn just that.
To be blunt, I have several issues with this novel. First off, the writing is too simple, too utilitarian. It's clunky - to use the phrase of my roommate - and it makes this tiny, 200 page book feel as though it's dragging along as it points to things to tell you about. Especially the very beginning and end. "I did this because of this. And also this. Then I did this."
I also was disappointed in Tori. Not because she was trying to cope with trauma, but because she's so mean towards the other girls in the novel. She sort of grows out of this, but it's never pointed out just how hard she is on the girls around her. She resorts to calling a rival soccer team the "Blue Bitches," she calls out girls (in her narration) on what they wear and how they look. I know all teens are judgemental and self-centred, but Tori never really learns exactly how harmful and constructed thinking these things are.
So yeah, I wouldn't recommend this, but I also wouldn't totally stop you from reading it.
WOW
So this is basically a poem narrated by a father to a son as the attempt to flee Syria. The father describes what it used to look like, how beautiful it was, before bombs began to rain down. He wishes his son could've experienced that, too. And when the board the boat, the father prays they'll make it away successfully.
Not only did I love the words, but the illustrations were so beautifully done by Dan Williams. In particular, when the colour is about to change from bright colours to deep, unsaturated ones. There's a beautiful illustrates on the left-page, while the right is left blank, with just the words in the bottom corner:
"But that life, that time,
seems like a dream now,
even to me, like some long-dissolved rumor."
Just those words, standing alone, in the corner of a blank page, felt so powerful.
Anyways, I could keep going about syntax and diction, stuff that's boring for non-english majors. Basically, you should read this.
So this is basically a poem narrated by a father to a son as the attempt to flee Syria. The father describes what it used to look like, how beautiful it was, before bombs began to rain down. He wishes his son could've experienced that, too. And when the board the boat, the father prays they'll make it away successfully.
Not only did I love the words, but the illustrations were so beautifully done by Dan Williams. In particular, when the colour is about to change from bright colours to deep, unsaturated ones. There's a beautiful illustrates on the left-page, while the right is left blank, with just the words in the bottom corner:
"But that life, that time,
seems like a dream now,
even to me, like some long-dissolved rumor."
Just those words, standing alone, in the corner of a blank page, felt so powerful.
Anyways, I could keep going about syntax and diction, stuff that's boring for non-english majors. Basically, you should read this.
What do I even say about this book? Obviously it was fantastic and I cried like 10 times. The relationships were also so realistic, which I always appreciate in YA. I think it was written really intelligently and from a good perspective, but also accessible enough for teens to read it and understand what's happening.
I can't believe I put off reading it for so long.
I can't believe I put off reading it for so long.
5/5 stars - I never thought I'd be adding a book of POETRY of all things to my favourites list, but the stuff I read for uni continues to surprise me.
I can't imagine what it must be like to be able to weave words into poetry so beautifully. This is the kind of poetry I think should be popular right now. Not only is it important (especially because it's Black History Month), but it's GOOD. If you like any kind of poetry at all, I think you need to read this small collection.
The way the poems are set up in the book is very interesting as well. With a frame of one poem surrounding the others in the collection. With a focus on black women and the trans-atlantic slave trade, it's incredible power and uncomfortable, but it's REAL.
I can't imagine what it must be like to be able to weave words into poetry so beautifully. This is the kind of poetry I think should be popular right now. Not only is it important (especially because it's Black History Month), but it's GOOD. If you like any kind of poetry at all, I think you need to read this small collection.
The way the poems are set up in the book is very interesting as well. With a frame of one poem surrounding the others in the collection. With a focus on black women and the trans-atlantic slave trade, it's incredible power and uncomfortable, but it's REAL.
re-read May 2018: 4.5/5 stars
My first re-read has been a completely different experience! The biggest reason I shaved off a half star is because it bothered me a bit how Hermione is described sometimes. She often described as bossy and annoying but the girl is just living her life!! I think if it were a first person novel this wouldn't bother me as much but because it's third person I feel like this could be avoided.
Other than that I had so much fun! It almost felt like watching a book-to-movie adaptation of your favourite book for the first time. Like you're so excited just seeing something you've only imagined in your head for so long that you want to flap your hands and squeal a bit. After five years away from this book, loving the rest of the books and watching all the movies, I was excited to see the beginnings of these characters again.
You can also tell just how much planning JKR put into this by all the subtleties and the hints that she drops. Like I had no idea Hagrid's bike is actually Sirius'!! I actually forgot most of this book and it sort of felt like reading it for the first time?
First read November 2013: 2/5 stars
I know for a fact that so many people are judging my rating right now BUT: I read this at 17 years old and this first book is described as children's. I tried to read this as a kid and couldn't get through it and it almost happened again. The beginning drags on and I wasn't intrigued into the story until much later. I think I'll be reading the next books? If these books weren't so loved I wouldn't be reading them...
My first re-read has been a completely different experience! The biggest reason I shaved off a half star is because it bothered me a bit how Hermione is described sometimes. She often described as bossy and annoying but the girl is just living her life!! I think if it were a first person novel this wouldn't bother me as much but because it's third person I feel like this could be avoided.
Other than that I had so much fun! It almost felt like watching a book-to-movie adaptation of your favourite book for the first time. Like you're so excited just seeing something you've only imagined in your head for so long that you want to flap your hands and squeal a bit. After five years away from this book, loving the rest of the books and watching all the movies, I was excited to see the beginnings of these characters again.
You can also tell just how much planning JKR put into this by all the subtleties and the hints that she drops. Like I had no idea Hagrid's bike is actually Sirius'!! I actually forgot most of this book and it sort of felt like reading it for the first time?
First read November 2013: 2/5 stars
I know for a fact that so many people are judging my rating right now BUT: I read this at 17 years old and this first book is described as children's. I tried to read this as a kid and couldn't get through it and it almost happened again. The beginning drags on and I wasn't intrigued into the story until much later. I think I'll be reading the next books? If these books weren't so loved I wouldn't be reading them...
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This one was definitely more entertaining than The Miserable Mill. I liked the setting a lot and the new characters were super interesting. I loved the new clue at the end, and now that the Quagmire triplets/twins have been introduced, I'm intrigued to see what will happen net with them.
I only read books 1-3 & 8 as a kid (don't ask why, I read series out of order all the time for some reason) so at this point my brain is trying to predict what's going to happen since I remember 8 pretty well.
Anyways I'd say this one was a hot 3.5 stars!
I only read books 1-3 & 8 as a kid (don't ask why, I read series out of order all the time for some reason) so at this point my brain is trying to predict what's going to happen since I remember 8 pretty well.
Anyways I'd say this one was a hot 3.5 stars!