From the Bookshelf of The Sword and Laser…

Elatsoe (Elatsoe, #1)

Darcie Little Badger,

Rovina Cai (Illustrator)

Start date: March 1, 2021

Finish date: March 31, 2021

Discussion: Elatsoe

Why we're reading this: This was selected by our March Guest host Alex Brown …more
[close] This was selected by our March Guest host Alex Brown

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 12 topics — 164 comments total

Elatsoe

Ela: Ghost Dog - SPOILERS
By Trike · 33 posts · 75 views

last updated Apr 11, 2021 02:22PM

Ela: And then, ninjas!
By Jenny (Readin… · 45 posts · 116 views

last updated Mar 31, 2021 07:52PM

showing 10 of 14 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Mar 07, 2021 Melani rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: bookclub-picks, urban-fantasy, challenge_sword

I really wanted to like this. It's an interesting story and world idea, but the execution is flawed. The writing is a bit clunky and the scenes don't flow well one to the other. It's adequate, it gets the job done, but I didn't really enjoy the story as much as I should have because the quality of the writing detracted from my enjoyment.

There are moments in the novel when characters are telling a story, interrupt the story to have a conversation with the character they're telling the story to, a I really wanted to like this. It's an interesting story and world idea, but the execution is flawed. The writing is a bit clunky and the scenes don't flow well one to the other. It's adequate, it gets the job done, but I didn't really enjoy the story as much as I should have because the quality of the writing detracted from my enjoyment.

There are moments in the novel when characters are telling a story, interrupt the story to have a conversation with the character they're telling the story to, and then go back to the story. This happens in real life all the time, I have no objection to including it. The execution of it is lacking though. When you tell a story orally, are interrupted by casual conversation, and then pick it back up again there are cues whether visual or oral that indicate when you are in the story and when you are having a casual conversation. Little Badger treats the story/conversation/story as the same thing, so that there's a disconnect as you the reader put together exactly what is happening. There are no cues, such as "she resumed" or whatever to indicate the story is continuing. It's the difference between an adequate writer and a good writer.

Little Badger also does the thing where she presents something we know is going to be important, Ellie is looking at a child's school work, and we know it's going to be important because it's Chekov's schoolwork. This would have taken Ellie just a few seconds to flip through, but instead of detailing the information there, Little Badger needed it to be revealed later and so it is. It's an illogical instance where character actions are dictated by plot needs as opposed to character.

One other little thing. I had to keep reminding myself that these characters were older teens/almost adults and not 13-14. Not sure why I placed them so much younger, but I did. They didn't behave like very young adults, they behaved like teenagers. And I know the distinction between the two groups is very fine, but it bugged me.

Solid world building though. And I did like the people in the story. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jul 16, 2021 Jennie Brueck rated it it was amazing

Loved this book, which surprised me so much. I loved the world building, the magical element, and the protecting family trope. Beautiful written book with a great mystery attached!!

Like · see review