This book was so much fun! Despite the violence and gore, the story is fast-paced, layered, and different from anything I’ve read before. I instantly liked the main characters. They both have trouble making friends, but I’d hang out with either of them any day. They are kind, honest, and dedicated. They love their families. These are good people who live in a tight-knit community and want to stay there.
Contrast the warmth of the main characters with others who are beaten down by the harsh environment and want nothing more than to get out. Stiefvater makes it easy to understand where these people are coming from, too, which gives her writing extra depth and pathos. I felt deeply for them, but I also wondered if they might sign over their leses to me.
Maggie Stiefvater tells an exciting, vibrant story that leaves readers satisfied. The themes of friendship, loyalty, home, faith, and integrity are all brilliantly interwoven to create this must-read for the older teen who doesn’t faint at the sight of blood.
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Scholastic
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 1 mild obscenity; 2 derogatory names; 3 scatological words; 4 anatomical terms.
Violence/Gore: Animals attack and kill other animals; animals attack and kill humans; a character attacks another character with a knife; two characters fight with the intent to kill; an animal destroys property; a character attacks an animal with a knife; characters cut themselves and blood is used in a ceremony; there is mention of blood in several of the above instances.
Sex/Nudity: A character implies another character is involved in sexual activity; a character flirtatiously brushes up against another character; two characters kiss briefly; a character implies another character enjoys sexual interaction with animals; characters discuss breeding animals professionally.
Mature Subject Matter:
Death of family members, hunger, poverty, cheating, abandonment.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Adults engage in social drinking.
