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All the Wind in the World
Sarah Jacqueline Crow and James Holt work in the vast maguey fields that span the bone-dry Southwest, a thirsty, infinite land that is both seductive and fearsome. In this rough, transient landscape, Sarah Jac and James have fallen in love. They’re tough and brave, and they have big dreams. Soon they will save up enough money to go east. But until then, they keep their heads down, their muscles tensed, and above all, their love secret.
When a horrible accident forces Sarah Jac and James to start over on a new, possibly cursed ranch called the Real Marvelous, the delicate balance they’ve found begins to give way. And James and Sarah Jac will have to pay a frighteningly high price for their love.
When a horrible accident forces Sarah Jac and James to start over on a new, possibly cursed ranch called the Real Marvelous, the delicate balance they’ve found begins to give way. And James and Sarah Jac will have to pay a frighteningly high price for their love.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2017
93 people are currently reading
5420 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Mabry
12 books292 followerssamantha was born four days before the death of john lennon. she grew up in dallas, playing bass guitar along to vinyl records in her bedroom after school, writing fan letters to rock stars, doodling song lyrics into notebooks, and reading big, big books.
she spends as much time as possible in the west texas desert.
A FIERCE AND SUBTLE POISON (Algonquin Young Readers, spring 2016) is her first novel.
she spends as much time as possible in the west texas desert.
A FIERCE AND SUBTLE POISON (Algonquin Young Readers, spring 2016) is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 313 reviews
March 7, 2019
Constellations aren't obvious until the moment they are. Then you wonder how you hadn't been able to see them before when the pictures are all so clearly there, telling a story.
All the Wind in the World might as well be called “all the genres in the world.” You all know I love genre benders, but this one might take the cake. It’s a strange blend of magical realism, dystopia, and romance.
I’m honestly struggling to review this, because I don’t particularly know why I enjoyed this book so much. It’s a one-sitting type book, which makes it super easy to consume quickly and love. The tone is an odd combination of romantic and hyper-realistic. The characters are compelling enough to get invested enough, with their own complexities, although perhaps not what stood out about the book. The writing is quite lovely.
Basically, it’s a book in which every moving piece is just great enough for the book to stand on. I have no idea what this book was, but I know I liked it enough to give a solid recommendation.
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December 9, 2017
I have no idea about what I read but I liked this.
Buddy read with Elise my Elise.
Buddy read with Elise my Elise.
November 1, 2017
I’ve been ruminating on this one for a while and I’ve decided I️ don’t like it. There’s too much thrown in to a very small book with no character development, very little backstory, and a setting that, while extremely atmospheric, does nothing to tell me much about the society these people live in.
First: the setting. After finishing the novel, I️ gather that this is a dystopian society. One where Mexico took over the U.S. or apparently these kids went south of the border. There’s implications that the economy relies on crops traditionally found in Mexico, and the workers are all called jimadors. I’m not really sure what anyone looked like other than beautiful James and steadfast Farrah. I️ assume this is the future? There’s mentions of crops dying out and people roving over the landscape. I’m not really sure why bees are such a dastardly elemental force of fury when we are being told that all wildlife is dying out and there aren’t crops left that will grow. Wouldn’t you figure that bees would always be prevalent around the crops since most other vegetation is dead?
Second: the characters. Sarah’s and James’ story is told through tidbits, which was a HORRIBLE idea. For a while I️ thought they were actually cousins and that this was a love story with incest. Gross. Once that was cleared up though I️ still wasn’t invested in their relationship—if anything it seemed to be purely physical with no actual emotional ties. I️ understand not wanting to be used as threats against each other but that doesn’t mean they needed to openly flirt and have sex with others as subterfuge. It seemed like a very flimsy premise and just unnecessary. I️ felt no loss at Sarah’s sister’s death because she was barely a footnote.
Third: weird elements and backstory. Is this YA or fantasy? I️ honestly can’t tell you. For 99% of it I️ thought it was extreme living conditions and people reacting in offbeat ways as a result of stress and lack of sustenance. The random prophet coming from the mountains seemed like a crazy lady, not someone with visions. The random weather conditions seemed like a result of a dried out climate, not witching. So why is it we suddenly have characters under spells and a little girl who can spin talismans? I️ mean come on, a freaking love spell!?
That’s what threw the whole thing off its hinges. I️ already barely believed in the James and Sarah love story. Then he goes off and abandons Sarah so quickly and easily and gets MARRIED and then I’m supposed to believe that he and Sarah lived mostly happy ever after? No. Relationships do not survive that kind of trauma. ESPECIALLY WITHOUT COMMUNICATING WITH EACH OTHER AND TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND THEIR ACTIONS AND THEIR FEELINGS. I️ mean jeebus christ is this not basic? How did these two function as a couple for like two years? Just no.
He fell in love (or lust) with another girl. They should’ve stuck with that story and made it a lesson about being independent or something instead of waiting around for a man. Don’t even get me started on how James was the only one going after girls, but Sarah did not go after boys. It’s like stepping back in time and saying it’s okay for men to have affairs but when women do it they’re damaged goods.
First: the setting. After finishing the novel, I️ gather that this is a dystopian society. One where Mexico took over the U.S. or apparently these kids went south of the border. There’s implications that the economy relies on crops traditionally found in Mexico, and the workers are all called jimadors. I’m not really sure what anyone looked like other than beautiful James and steadfast Farrah. I️ assume this is the future? There’s mentions of crops dying out and people roving over the landscape. I’m not really sure why bees are such a dastardly elemental force of fury when we are being told that all wildlife is dying out and there aren’t crops left that will grow. Wouldn’t you figure that bees would always be prevalent around the crops since most other vegetation is dead?
Second: the characters. Sarah’s and James’ story is told through tidbits, which was a HORRIBLE idea. For a while I️ thought they were actually cousins and that this was a love story with incest. Gross. Once that was cleared up though I️ still wasn’t invested in their relationship—if anything it seemed to be purely physical with no actual emotional ties. I️ understand not wanting to be used as threats against each other but that doesn’t mean they needed to openly flirt and have sex with others as subterfuge. It seemed like a very flimsy premise and just unnecessary. I️ felt no loss at Sarah’s sister’s death because she was barely a footnote.
Third: weird elements and backstory. Is this YA or fantasy? I️ honestly can’t tell you. For 99% of it I️ thought it was extreme living conditions and people reacting in offbeat ways as a result of stress and lack of sustenance. The random prophet coming from the mountains seemed like a crazy lady, not someone with visions. The random weather conditions seemed like a result of a dried out climate, not witching. So why is it we suddenly have characters under spells and a little girl who can spin talismans? I️ mean come on, a freaking love spell!?
That’s what threw the whole thing off its hinges. I️ already barely believed in the James and Sarah love story. Then he goes off and abandons Sarah so quickly and easily and gets MARRIED and then I’m supposed to believe that he and Sarah lived mostly happy ever after? No. Relationships do not survive that kind of trauma. ESPECIALLY WITHOUT COMMUNICATING WITH EACH OTHER AND TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND THEIR ACTIONS AND THEIR FEELINGS. I️ mean jeebus christ is this not basic? How did these two function as a couple for like two years? Just no.
He fell in love (or lust) with another girl. They should’ve stuck with that story and made it a lesson about being independent or something instead of waiting around for a man. Don’t even get me started on how James was the only one going after girls, but Sarah did not go after boys. It’s like stepping back in time and saying it’s okay for men to have affairs but when women do it they’re damaged goods.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2018
Personal rating: 3.5
Not bad! Not bad! This is my second Samantha Mabry book. I read "A Fierce and Subtle Poison" by her a couple years ago which I also gave 3 stars to as well so I knew I wanted to give Mabry another chance! This is a YA magical realism with a touch of dystopian elements. It actually reminded me of the book/movie Holes! Set in a dry desert landscape, our two main characters Sarah and James (love birds) are traveling across the United States as farm hands looking for work but there lives are full of secrets and even claim to be cousins to keep their identities safe. After some unfortunate events, they stumble across a plantation called The Real Marvelous and it's revealed to them that they're not the only ones keeping secrets.
I loved the world building in this. The post apocalyptic USA really set the mood for me. I love those kinds of settings. Where the story hits a bump for me is the "romance" between Sarah and James. I actually didn't like these two characters that much. Their personalities were the equivalent of wet socks and their relationship was just so weird! I was also a little disappointed by the ending. Felt like a cop out in a way.
All in all, a quick read with a unique plot but with dull characters you want to question under a giant spot light for their decision making.
Not bad! Not bad! This is my second Samantha Mabry book. I read "A Fierce and Subtle Poison" by her a couple years ago which I also gave 3 stars to as well so I knew I wanted to give Mabry another chance! This is a YA magical realism with a touch of dystopian elements. It actually reminded me of the book/movie Holes! Set in a dry desert landscape, our two main characters Sarah and James (love birds) are traveling across the United States as farm hands looking for work but there lives are full of secrets and even claim to be cousins to keep their identities safe. After some unfortunate events, they stumble across a plantation called The Real Marvelous and it's revealed to them that they're not the only ones keeping secrets.
I loved the world building in this. The post apocalyptic USA really set the mood for me. I love those kinds of settings. Where the story hits a bump for me is the "romance" between Sarah and James. I actually didn't like these two characters that much. Their personalities were the equivalent of wet socks and their relationship was just so weird! I was also a little disappointed by the ending. Felt like a cop out in a way.
All in all, a quick read with a unique plot but with dull characters you want to question under a giant spot light for their decision making.
June 11, 2018
Estúpido, mi corazón, idiota.
Por Dios, este libro. Es muy raro, un mix de géneros muy interesante, tiene un aura muy intensa de tragedia. Te deja con el corazón pisoteado en la mano y una sensación inmensa de desasosiego, con inquietud y el alma pesada. No es una lectura reconfortante en absoluto, pero sí una muy intrigante y atrapante. Tiene una belleza inmensa y unos tintes de realismo mágico que son un diez.
Quiero que vaya al rincón a pensar lo que le hace a sus pobres lectores, pero me parece un libro único. Y demoledor. (¿Ya aclaré que es terrible? Porque es terrible).
Por Dios, este libro. Es muy raro, un mix de géneros muy interesante, tiene un aura muy intensa de tragedia. Te deja con el corazón pisoteado en la mano y una sensación inmensa de desasosiego, con inquietud y el alma pesada. No es una lectura reconfortante en absoluto, pero sí una muy intrigante y atrapante. Tiene una belleza inmensa y unos tintes de realismo mágico que son un diez.
Quiero que vaya al rincón a pensar lo que le hace a sus pobres lectores, pero me parece un libro único. Y demoledor. (¿Ya aclaré que es terrible? Porque es terrible).
November 15, 2017
“Constellations aren't obvious until the moment they are. Then you wonder how you hadn't been able to see them before when the pictures are all so clearly there, telling a story.”
Hauntingly beautiful and dangerously enticing, Samantha Mabry's All the Wind in the World is a fantastic addition to the romance genre in young adult literature. With the desire to eventually own their own land and live a life of peace, Sarah Jac and James are forced to find work in the harsh conditions of the maguey fields. But when a disaster strikes, the two must find a new place to work, where their strength and relationship will be put to the test. In this gripping tale of love and sorrow, Mabry's novel promises to have readers intrigued until the very last sentence.
I received an ARC from Algonquin Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; thank you for the opportunity to read and review this novel. This in no way sways my review or opinion of the novel.
Way back at the beginning of September, I was selected to receive an ARC of All the Wind in the World...it was SUPER exciting, since I had just recently started up a NetGalley account! Due to the lack of a Kobo, it took me FOREVER to start this book. Fortunately, my mom gave me a Kobo as an early Christmas gift and I was finally able to start reading this.
Mabry's young adult novel was a fairly enjoyable read, and a very quick one at that. Though there are some things that made me question the point of the story, my overall reading experience was pleasant!
Story | Plot
The general idea of the story stems from a couple trying to make a living by working on maguey fields, in the hopes that one day they'll be able to afford a home of their own one day. Due to the high competition on finding jobs in the fields, Sarah Jac and James pretend to be cousins rather than a couple...since couples are easier to target. Obviously, we get some tension regarding jealously and lovers quarrels.
When it comes to genre bending, this book definitely hits a home run. Mabry adds romance, magical realism, contemporary, and dystopia all into a book that isn't even 300 pages...that, my friends, is a pretty incredible feat. It's nice since it opens the book up to multiple readers rather than gearing towards one genre.
Nevertheless, there are a few things that didn't sit well with me. One is the world itself; readers know that it's our world since it references cities we know, yet Mabry never really discusses the state of the world fully and how it got to such a state. For those who are very detailed oriented when it comes to setting, you'll be a little disappointed.
The other is...WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE STORY?! Maybe I'm reading too much or not enough into this story, but I never felt a real understanding of what the purpose was behind what the characters went through and the decisions made. It just felt like reading a bunch of random events and then the story ended...
Characters | Character Development
There are a number of characters introduced in this story, but the main are Sarah Jac and James. There are some other good individuals to mention, but discussing them ruins parts of the plot. For a story that seems to be about (from what I can tell) mending mistakes and learning to let go and trust others, I found that the characters had little development. If anything, some of them seemed to be going in constant circles. It was rather odd to be frank.
Most of the characters are fairly likeable, even the ones you aren't supposed to like; personally, I find this a BIG plus since I find it incredibly difficult to read books where I can't stand the characters. Funny enough, James is the ONE character that really bothered me. Most people seemed to get fed up with Sarah Jac, but she's probably one of my favourites. James confused me...a lot. I didn't understand his reasons for making certain decisions and how he ended up from one point to the next. With the story being a first person narrative under Sarah Jac's POV, this could be a major reason why this happened.
Language
The language throughout the story is beautiful and captivating. Even though the plot confused me and the characters drove me nutty at points, I never felt quarrels or disappointment with the writing. The amount of meaningful and beautiful quotes in this story is simply astounding; even though I didn't really understand what was happening, I could at least find meanings and lessons in various passages throughout the tale.
The language is fairly simple and easy to follow, making it effortless to finish this book in a day.
Overall
I feel incredibly bad, since I feel as though this review fell a little short. Honestly, I had a REALLY hard time reviewing this book; either I felt unsure how to convey my thoughts or I didn't have thoughts due to utter confusion of this book. It was both a beautiful read yet a disappointment. When reading the synopsis, I was expecting more action and danger; unfortunately, the story focused largely on confusing events and the awkward romance rather than any sort of grand voyage. A lot of the choices and actions made by characters didn't make sense to me, yet I still felt this desire and urge to finish the story. If you're looking for a romance and magical realism focused story, this may be a good choice for you!
Hauntingly beautiful and dangerously enticing, Samantha Mabry's All the Wind in the World is a fantastic addition to the romance genre in young adult literature. With the desire to eventually own their own land and live a life of peace, Sarah Jac and James are forced to find work in the harsh conditions of the maguey fields. But when a disaster strikes, the two must find a new place to work, where their strength and relationship will be put to the test. In this gripping tale of love and sorrow, Mabry's novel promises to have readers intrigued until the very last sentence.
Minor to No Spoilers
I received an ARC from Algonquin Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; thank you for the opportunity to read and review this novel. This in no way sways my review or opinion of the novel.
Way back at the beginning of September, I was selected to receive an ARC of All the Wind in the World...it was SUPER exciting, since I had just recently started up a NetGalley account! Due to the lack of a Kobo, it took me FOREVER to start this book. Fortunately, my mom gave me a Kobo as an early Christmas gift and I was finally able to start reading this.
Mabry's young adult novel was a fairly enjoyable read, and a very quick one at that. Though there are some things that made me question the point of the story, my overall reading experience was pleasant!
Story | Plot
The general idea of the story stems from a couple trying to make a living by working on maguey fields, in the hopes that one day they'll be able to afford a home of their own one day. Due to the high competition on finding jobs in the fields, Sarah Jac and James pretend to be cousins rather than a couple...since couples are easier to target. Obviously, we get some tension regarding jealously and lovers quarrels.
When it comes to genre bending, this book definitely hits a home run. Mabry adds romance, magical realism, contemporary, and dystopia all into a book that isn't even 300 pages...that, my friends, is a pretty incredible feat. It's nice since it opens the book up to multiple readers rather than gearing towards one genre.
Nevertheless, there are a few things that didn't sit well with me. One is the world itself; readers know that it's our world since it references cities we know, yet Mabry never really discusses the state of the world fully and how it got to such a state. For those who are very detailed oriented when it comes to setting, you'll be a little disappointed.
The other is...WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE STORY?! Maybe I'm reading too much or not enough into this story, but I never felt a real understanding of what the purpose was behind what the characters went through and the decisions made. It just felt like reading a bunch of random events and then the story ended...
Characters | Character Development
There are a number of characters introduced in this story, but the main are Sarah Jac and James. There are some other good individuals to mention, but discussing them ruins parts of the plot. For a story that seems to be about (from what I can tell) mending mistakes and learning to let go and trust others, I found that the characters had little development. If anything, some of them seemed to be going in constant circles. It was rather odd to be frank.
Most of the characters are fairly likeable, even the ones you aren't supposed to like; personally, I find this a BIG plus since I find it incredibly difficult to read books where I can't stand the characters. Funny enough, James is the ONE character that really bothered me. Most people seemed to get fed up with Sarah Jac, but she's probably one of my favourites. James confused me...a lot. I didn't understand his reasons for making certain decisions and how he ended up from one point to the next. With the story being a first person narrative under Sarah Jac's POV, this could be a major reason why this happened.
Language
The language throughout the story is beautiful and captivating. Even though the plot confused me and the characters drove me nutty at points, I never felt quarrels or disappointment with the writing. The amount of meaningful and beautiful quotes in this story is simply astounding; even though I didn't really understand what was happening, I could at least find meanings and lessons in various passages throughout the tale.
The language is fairly simple and easy to follow, making it effortless to finish this book in a day.
Overall
I feel incredibly bad, since I feel as though this review fell a little short. Honestly, I had a REALLY hard time reviewing this book; either I felt unsure how to convey my thoughts or I didn't have thoughts due to utter confusion of this book. It was both a beautiful read yet a disappointment. When reading the synopsis, I was expecting more action and danger; unfortunately, the story focused largely on confusing events and the awkward romance rather than any sort of grand voyage. A lot of the choices and actions made by characters didn't make sense to me, yet I still felt this desire and urge to finish the story. If you're looking for a romance and magical realism focused story, this may be a good choice for you!
September 14, 2017
AAAAAAAAAAAH QUE LIVRO BOM <3
**I received this ARC from NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers in exchange for an honest review**
Sarah Jac and James work in maguey fields. That's been their lives since they left Chicago behind, but the plan has always been to save enough money to go back. After an accident happens in the fields, they jump on a train and head to The Real Marvelous - a mysterious farm that many call 'a cursed land'.
The book is never 100% about the scenario but my guest is a dystopian world where the climate changes affected the whole U.S. leaving the land dry and desert. Sarah Jac is the narrator here and she's both simple and incredible. She's tenacious on hiding her love for James (finally a couple I can root for and not roll my eyes!) and being the best maguey cutter in the land. She knows her place, yet she's true to her personality.
One of my favourite characters is definitely Leo - from the first moment he meets the MCs there's an aura of "can we trust him?" that kept me tense and interested. Every he said and did was ambiguous and I loved it! I did have a hard time understanding Sarah and James' strategy on creating relationships with the other workers - they often seemed both distant and eager to make connections and I felt lost sometimes on how they felt about the other characters.
I really, really liked how the author mixed this dystopian setting, magical-realism (?), suspense and action. Sarah Jac's voice was completely honest and maybe for the first time ever, I wanted the book not to have tied all the knots so I'd have some hope for more stories in this world. A companion perhaps?
Great story, cool settings, interesting characters - what's not to love? :)
**I received this ARC from NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers in exchange for an honest review**
Sarah Jac and James work in maguey fields. That's been their lives since they left Chicago behind, but the plan has always been to save enough money to go back. After an accident happens in the fields, they jump on a train and head to The Real Marvelous - a mysterious farm that many call 'a cursed land'.
The book is never 100% about the scenario but my guest is a dystopian world where the climate changes affected the whole U.S. leaving the land dry and desert. Sarah Jac is the narrator here and she's both simple and incredible. She's tenacious on hiding her love for James (finally a couple I can root for and not roll my eyes!) and being the best maguey cutter in the land. She knows her place, yet she's true to her personality.
One of my favourite characters is definitely Leo - from the first moment he meets the MCs there's an aura of "can we trust him?" that kept me tense and interested. Every he said and did was ambiguous and I loved it! I did have a hard time understanding Sarah and James' strategy on creating relationships with the other workers - they often seemed both distant and eager to make connections and I felt lost sometimes on how they felt about the other characters.
I really, really liked how the author mixed this dystopian setting, magical-realism (?), suspense and action. Sarah Jac's voice was completely honest and maybe for the first time ever, I wanted the book not to have tied all the knots so I'd have some hope for more stories in this world. A companion perhaps?
Great story, cool settings, interesting characters - what's not to love? :)
August 2, 2017
4,5 estrelas
Livro que só vai sair em outubro, mas já tive a oportunidade de ler e preciso dizer que: além dessa capa MARA, o livro é muito legal! É uma coisa meio distopia com fantasia com romance, tudo num só.
Fiquei preso do início ao fim. Já fica logo a dica!
Livro que só vai sair em outubro, mas já tive a oportunidade de ler e preciso dizer que: além dessa capa MARA, o livro é muito legal! É uma coisa meio distopia com fantasia com romance, tudo num só.
Fiquei preso do início ao fim. Já fica logo a dica!
July 16, 2018
No pude subir mi progreso porque la persona que subió este libro no puso el numero de páginas y Goodreads no me dejaba, aparte no lo leí en la edición Kindle, lo leí en físico.
Este libro lo empecé después de una lectura horrorosa, quería algo ligero y llevadero. El libro me llegó la semana pasada por parte de la editorial y la portada es hermosa, y tiene menos de 350 páginas así que no le puse peros a la hora de leerlo.
El inicio de la historia es extraño, sentía que me adentraba a una distopía y entonces avanzaba y todo se tornaba a una historia romántica, seguía avanzando y las cosas se pusieron un poco misteriosas. Casi a la mitad del libro me pregunté qué tipo de historia era.
Sentía que leía y leía y pasaban cosas raras y leía más y todo se tornaba más extraño y entonces sentí como el tsunami se acercaba, pero la potencia de ese monstruo fue terrible. La historia da un total giro que no supe cómo tomarlo.
No tenía la más mínima intención de terminar este libro hoy. Pero no lo pude soltar, necesitaba saber qué pasaba con los protagonistas. La sinopsis habla por sí sola. Nos cuenta sobre Sarah y James, unos chicos que buscan por Estados Unidos algún lugar donde trabajar con el agave. Lo encuentran y todo va de maravilla hasta que un accidente los hace huir.
Encuentran otro lugar y es ahí donde la historia de los protagonistas se tuerce. Creí que sería un libro más del montón pero no fue así. Ha sido un libro que me ha dejado pensando bastante sobre la naturaleza de nosotros los humanos, sobre cómo nuestras emociones pueden traicionarnos y lo que hacemos para sobrevivir.
A pesar de las pocas páginas que tiene, nos cuenta una historia compleja, con personajes muy reales, momentos dolorosos, demasiadas emociones en tan pocas páginas. Me encantó y sigo analizando el final. Cuando lo terminé me sentí decepcionada, pero entonces pensé en todo lo que había pasado y comprendí mucho mejor a los personajes. ¡Así somos los humanos!
Este libro lo empecé después de una lectura horrorosa, quería algo ligero y llevadero. El libro me llegó la semana pasada por parte de la editorial y la portada es hermosa, y tiene menos de 350 páginas así que no le puse peros a la hora de leerlo.
El inicio de la historia es extraño, sentía que me adentraba a una distopía y entonces avanzaba y todo se tornaba a una historia romántica, seguía avanzando y las cosas se pusieron un poco misteriosas. Casi a la mitad del libro me pregunté qué tipo de historia era.
Sentía que leía y leía y pasaban cosas raras y leía más y todo se tornaba más extraño y entonces sentí como el tsunami se acercaba, pero la potencia de ese monstruo fue terrible. La historia da un total giro que no supe cómo tomarlo.
No tenía la más mínima intención de terminar este libro hoy. Pero no lo pude soltar, necesitaba saber qué pasaba con los protagonistas. La sinopsis habla por sí sola. Nos cuenta sobre Sarah y James, unos chicos que buscan por Estados Unidos algún lugar donde trabajar con el agave. Lo encuentran y todo va de maravilla hasta que un accidente los hace huir.
Encuentran otro lugar y es ahí donde la historia de los protagonistas se tuerce. Creí que sería un libro más del montón pero no fue así. Ha sido un libro que me ha dejado pensando bastante sobre la naturaleza de nosotros los humanos, sobre cómo nuestras emociones pueden traicionarnos y lo que hacemos para sobrevivir.
A pesar de las pocas páginas que tiene, nos cuenta una historia compleja, con personajes muy reales, momentos dolorosos, demasiadas emociones en tan pocas páginas. Me encantó y sigo analizando el final. Cuando lo terminé me sentí decepcionada, pero entonces pensé en todo lo que había pasado y comprendí mucho mejor a los personajes. ¡Así somos los humanos!
May 7, 2025
”There is so much wind in the world. I learned that on the trains. The wind made me happy again. That and space and James’ good nature. We’d jump trains when we needed money. Even in our most desperate times, James would say or do something that would make me laugh.
I’d forgotten about that, all the laughing.
I haven’t had the worst life.”
Pretty cover syndrome strikes again with this sordid tale of secrets, murder and rage. The shoddy world building and muddled attempts at incorporating magical realism and a relationship marketed as a romance but was more like a lust-fest did nothing to help hold the interest of the reader.
Review coming soon!!
I’d forgotten about that, all the laughing.
I haven’t had the worst life.”
Pretty cover syndrome strikes again with this sordid tale of secrets, murder and rage. The shoddy world building and muddled attempts at incorporating magical realism and a relationship marketed as a romance but was more like a lust-fest did nothing to help hold the interest of the reader.
Review coming soon!!
October 2, 2017
ALL THE WIND IN THE WORLD combines mystery and a hint of magic in a captivating old west setting.
I really enjoyed the plot and premise of this novel. The story moves at a very fast pace, and Samantha Mabry has done a truly remarkable job at incorporating magic into a real-world setting in a way that is not only believable but also interesting.
The underlying mystery that ensues after an accident takes place on the maguey ranch that Sarah and her cousin James find themselves working is intriguing and also a bit dark and twisty. At times this novel even takes on the tone of a psychological thriller. Mabry throws some great curveballs at readers, especially toward the end of the novel, that I found fascinating and highly unexpected.
While there really is a fantastic cast of characters in this novel, I did not enjoy the main character, Sarah. I can see how her contrary personality lends itself well to the mystery of the novel and does make her an unreliable narrator, but I just didn't enjoy reading through her perspective.
James on the other hand, I very much enjoyed as a character. He was very likable and a lot of fun to read about. Unfortunately the fact that they were cousins was a bit off-putting. While I understand that that is something that was once socially acceptable, it doesn't seem to be during this novel, because of the lengths Sarah and James go to hide it. That only serves to heighten the reader's sense of discomfort with the situation.
The setting of the novel was quite spectacular. The desert setting really feels like a character in and of itself. It is such a beautiful and threatening presence throughout the entire story and really increased the stakes of the overall plot.
The book cover is quite frankly stunning. It's a wonderful depiction of the story itself. I love the color scheme, and the way the text feels so impermanent is a great nod to the uncertain future that Sarah finds herself facing in the novel.
While there were a couple of elements that fell flat for me in this story, overall I did enjoy it, and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to read it.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I really enjoyed the plot and premise of this novel. The story moves at a very fast pace, and Samantha Mabry has done a truly remarkable job at incorporating magic into a real-world setting in a way that is not only believable but also interesting.
The underlying mystery that ensues after an accident takes place on the maguey ranch that Sarah and her cousin James find themselves working is intriguing and also a bit dark and twisty. At times this novel even takes on the tone of a psychological thriller. Mabry throws some great curveballs at readers, especially toward the end of the novel, that I found fascinating and highly unexpected.
While there really is a fantastic cast of characters in this novel, I did not enjoy the main character, Sarah. I can see how her contrary personality lends itself well to the mystery of the novel and does make her an unreliable narrator, but I just didn't enjoy reading through her perspective.
James on the other hand, I very much enjoyed as a character. He was very likable and a lot of fun to read about. Unfortunately the fact that they were cousins was a bit off-putting. While I understand that that is something that was once socially acceptable, it doesn't seem to be during this novel, because of the lengths Sarah and James go to hide it. That only serves to heighten the reader's sense of discomfort with the situation.
The setting of the novel was quite spectacular. The desert setting really feels like a character in and of itself. It is such a beautiful and threatening presence throughout the entire story and really increased the stakes of the overall plot.
The book cover is quite frankly stunning. It's a wonderful depiction of the story itself. I love the color scheme, and the way the text feels so impermanent is a great nod to the uncertain future that Sarah finds herself facing in the novel.
While there were a couple of elements that fell flat for me in this story, overall I did enjoy it, and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to read it.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
August 14, 2017
This review is of a few, sneak peek sample chapters.
All The Wind In The World promises to be an evocative and powerful novel. After reading just a few chapters I want to know more about the characters and their colourful, detailed world. Why do the characters hide their romance, why is their world so dangerous, what made them leave Chicago to work in the dusty fields of the south? The mix of superstitions and magical realism contrast with the harsh and dusty landscape. There is so much more to learn about their story and I look forward to reading the full book.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library.
All The Wind In The World promises to be an evocative and powerful novel. After reading just a few chapters I want to know more about the characters and their colourful, detailed world. Why do the characters hide their romance, why is their world so dangerous, what made them leave Chicago to work in the dusty fields of the south? The mix of superstitions and magical realism contrast with the harsh and dusty landscape. There is so much more to learn about their story and I look forward to reading the full book.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library.
August 25, 2017
I liked the pieces of this book.
I liked the danger of James and Sarah Jac's romance and how it was constantly under siege.
I liked the desolate world-building, the harshness of the desert in which the story takes place.
I liked the sparse prose, the no-nonsense structuring of the story.
I liked how the story doesn't end all nice and neat.
I liked/respected/felt feelings toward all of the characters. Despite the relative lack of development of most of the characters, in fact, the lack of development fits the mold of the story.
Despite all of this, I finished All the Wind in the World and was like, meh, alright. And it frustrates me that this is how I feel about this book, cause I really haven't read anything like it before. A touch of magical realism, a desolate alt-America in which global warming has caused desert to overtake half of the United States ("from the Mississippi to the Pacific") and the economy is driven by farming maguay to make alcohol, a romance story in which love doesn't necessarily conquer all, treachery and murder—I LOVE ALL THESE THINGS. But I don't love this book. I like it. And I can't put my finger on why I simply like it.
Reading. One of the more frustrating of leisure activities at times.
I liked the danger of James and Sarah Jac's romance and how it was constantly under siege.
I liked the desolate world-building, the harshness of the desert in which the story takes place.
I liked the sparse prose, the no-nonsense structuring of the story.
I liked how the story doesn't end all nice and neat.
I liked/respected/felt feelings toward all of the characters. Despite the relative lack of development of most of the characters, in fact, the lack of development fits the mold of the story.
Despite all of this, I finished All the Wind in the World and was like, meh, alright. And it frustrates me that this is how I feel about this book, cause I really haven't read anything like it before. A touch of magical realism, a desolate alt-America in which global warming has caused desert to overtake half of the United States ("from the Mississippi to the Pacific") and the economy is driven by farming maguay to make alcohol, a romance story in which love doesn't necessarily conquer all, treachery and murder—I LOVE ALL THESE THINGS. But I don't love this book. I like it. And I can't put my finger on why I simply like it.
Reading. One of the more frustrating of leisure activities at times.
Read
July 23, 2017Welp, I stayed up waaaay too late to finish that, but I could not put it down.
May 8, 2018
This story is of a time, with a circumstance I've never encountered. With ranches and slaves disguised as workers, used to their best abilities and paid measly amounts for them. So yes this story was good at portraying injustice many people, the oppressed have suffered at the hands of the riches, the injustice of it all.
Now bring in characters that aren't very likeable in the first place, whose decisions most of the time are very poor, and a love story that didn't just feel right to me. Sarah and James are definitely something. All lot information necessary to the story was left out and made the entire story seem clunky at best. I usually love when magic is involved, but I felt it wasn't necessary for this story.
This story took me so long to read because the story couldn't hold my interest no matter how hard I tried for long. That's why I am now sharing my thoughts on the book after so long, everything about this book, the cover, synopsis all seems promising but the way the story unfolds isn't as captivating to my mind.
Now bring in characters that aren't very likeable in the first place, whose decisions most of the time are very poor, and a love story that didn't just feel right to me. Sarah and James are definitely something. All lot information necessary to the story was left out and made the entire story seem clunky at best. I usually love when magic is involved, but I felt it wasn't necessary for this story.
This story took me so long to read because the story couldn't hold my interest no matter how hard I tried for long. That's why I am now sharing my thoughts on the book after so long, everything about this book, the cover, synopsis all seems promising but the way the story unfolds isn't as captivating to my mind.
October 8, 2017
Sarah Jac and James Holt traveled from ranch to ranch harvesting maguey, a plant which makes tequila and other alcoholic liquids. They pay is low and the conditions were worse. Sarah and James compensated by creating a con that they enacted at each farm they worked at. It started with pretending that they were cousins, not a romantic couple, so that James could sweet talk another girl. But this time, with all the weird rumors of a curse at the newest ranch, they may pay a high price to hold onto their love.
All the Wind in the World was something else. It wrote of a time period and situation I was not familiar with. It was set sometime in the late nineteenth century or early twentieth century in the deserts of the South. There were ranches that grew maguey, and the workers were little more than slaves. They were paid, but not much, and they were treated harshly. The owners were rich and privileged, and they cared not for their employees. In many ways, this book was written to show the injustices of the time and location. To show readers that this happened. The author did that well, and I enjoyed the peek into a different time and place.
The rest of the book was not the best. The plot was the relationship between Sarah and James and the supposed curse on the ranch. It was complicated, and there were plot twists I was not expecting. The overall tone was depressing, fitting with the themes in the novel. The part about the curse was never fully explained. Some of it was explained, but the why's, how's, and what next's were left to guesswork. I was irritated with all the major characters except one. Definitely not my newest favorite book.
Still, I would recommend it to others, those who enjoy historical, YA romances.
I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
All the Wind in the World was something else. It wrote of a time period and situation I was not familiar with. It was set sometime in the late nineteenth century or early twentieth century in the deserts of the South. There were ranches that grew maguey, and the workers were little more than slaves. They were paid, but not much, and they were treated harshly. The owners were rich and privileged, and they cared not for their employees. In many ways, this book was written to show the injustices of the time and location. To show readers that this happened. The author did that well, and I enjoyed the peek into a different time and place.
The rest of the book was not the best. The plot was the relationship between Sarah and James and the supposed curse on the ranch. It was complicated, and there were plot twists I was not expecting. The overall tone was depressing, fitting with the themes in the novel. The part about the curse was never fully explained. Some of it was explained, but the why's, how's, and what next's were left to guesswork. I was irritated with all the major characters except one. Definitely not my newest favorite book.
Still, I would recommend it to others, those who enjoy historical, YA romances.
I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
April 8, 2018
Wow. I'm not sure what the point of such a book is. You have two main characters who are immature and consistently make poor decisions. They lead a rough life, traveling around now dry-as-dust Southwest, working on ranches for pennies chopping some plant. They're in love but pretend to be cousins so that no one can use the other as leverage against them. To reinforce this, they practice little deceits like pretending to be enamored by others to throw people off the scent. It's distasteful. It was okay to read, but I have to wonder why the author bothered to write it - or why I bothered to finish it.
Read
April 29, 2017What happens when you build your life around a set of lies? What about when you believe them?
This is a love story set in rural west Texas, full of magical realism, bees, pain, sadness, and a romantic arc that works exceptionally well. Readers who loved Mabry's first book will enjoy this one, as will readers who love literary stories with that touch of magic, like Laura Ruby's Bone Gap. Lovely prose, a complex and challenging character in both Sarah Jac and in James, and a story that twists and turns in fresh, compelling ways.
This is a love story set in rural west Texas, full of magical realism, bees, pain, sadness, and a romantic arc that works exceptionally well. Readers who loved Mabry's first book will enjoy this one, as will readers who love literary stories with that touch of magic, like Laura Ruby's Bone Gap. Lovely prose, a complex and challenging character in both Sarah Jac and in James, and a story that twists and turns in fresh, compelling ways.
June 5, 2017
eArc provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4.0 Stars
I've read a sneak a peak of All the Wind in the World .
Basing my opinion on 3 chapters I've noticed several things about this book:
* Magical, but harsh and dangerous world;
* Female protagonist;
* Action moves to Valentine, Texas;
* Elements of romance;
* Curses and ghosts (based on experiences and tales told by other characters);
* Huge variety of emotions.
I'm looking forward to reading the full version of this book.
Rating: 4.0 Stars
I've read a sneak a peak of All the Wind in the World .
Basing my opinion on 3 chapters I've noticed several things about this book:
* Magical, but harsh and dangerous world;
* Female protagonist;
* Action moves to Valentine, Texas;
* Elements of romance;
* Curses and ghosts (based on experiences and tales told by other characters);
* Huge variety of emotions.
I'm looking forward to reading the full version of this book.
August 14, 2017
Super swept away by this one.
That prose! Beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time.
That prose! Beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time.
November 12, 2021
This sprinted past unsettling and straight into horrifying.
January 13, 2018
I have feelings. I feel betrayed and I'm not over it. So how can she be??
But I did enjoy this!
_____________
Full Review: https://readingwithrendz.wordpress.co...
Just look at that cover! *Swoons.* It’s absolutely gorgeous and the colours and silhouettes totally encompass this book perfectly. But I’m not here to solely critique the cover and as much as I want to say that the cover and the story go hand in hand as one blend of total epicness…I can’t. This book was good, don’t get me wrong, it just lacked that final oomph. It fell flat to me in some areas, but there was never a moment where I didn’t want to continue reading. It’s kind of complicated, me and this book.
What I Liked
Characters:
Sarah Jac: Okay, Sarah Jac and I have a bit of a bumpy relationship. On one hand I’m like “Yes, go girl! You do you. It’s a game of survival be prepared for anything!” On the other hand I’m like “No stop. You’re being stupid. No. No. Please, stop. Think girl. Think!” She was a very complicated gal, in a very complicated situation. She had to act tough, be ruthless, think about no one but herself and James, but having hard hearts leads to big trouble in many ways as having a soft heart does. She wasn’t exactly the most “likeable” character but she was and interesting one at that!
James: Well..I liked him in the first half of the novel. He seemed like the endless flirt who just wanted everyone to feel good. To be even just a little content in time of hardship. Then the second half of the novel came and my feelings changed. He wasn’t very present in the novel but his actions are known, acknowledged and not appreciated by me!
Leo: I wish there was more of him in this book because he was a really funny and charismatic person. He fades off into the background about halfway through but for *reasons* so I guess it’s okay.
Bell: What a fun creature she was, indeed.
Other characters…there were plenty other characters like the ranch owners, the other maguey laborers and foremen but none of them took a prominent position. They did however make a big impact on Sarah Jac and her journey, Bell being the biggest factor of them all.
Atmosphere:
The best aspect of this book is the atmosphere, the setting and descriptions. Just beautiful. You really get the sense of the hot desert sand, the blazing sun, the relentless heat that is beating on our characters day in and day out. Mabry does a superb job creating the atmosphere and the tension of the characters nerves, motives and actions. Very well done.
Magic Realism:
So I may not be an expert or know the exact definition of what magical realism is, but I’m 100% sure this book has it. And it was beautiful. The use of magic to makes the reader understand the desperation of Sarah Jac. Her experience working in these fields and the memories from her past that plague her. I enjoyed the use of magic to explain the going-ons in Sarah’s head and her emotions. It just added to the beauty of the story and I really enjoyed it.
Though I do propose a question:
What does the YA world have against bees??? This is the second book I’ve read that uses bees as a source of corruption and death…like hello? Did no one ever watch The Bee Movie, our little friends deserve justice!
Romance:
Stress. So you go in with a pre-made ship you don’t have to worry about all that tension, right? No. This ship had its problems in the beginning, but I was okay with it. That’s what couples have to do, work through their problems. Survive against the toughest of circumstances. Still. *Rendz, why is this under the liked stuff if you didn’t really like it?* The drama, obviously! I lived for it and it’s one of the few things that kept me well entertained.
What I Disliked:
It was slooooww:
It got boring really fast and I just couldn’t keep myself glued to the pages long enough. I would have no motivation to pick it up because I knew that I was going to have to endure endless pages of Sarah Jac in her head, just thinking. That’s not to say that all her thoughts were boring, it’s just that sometimes things got repetitive and I wasn’t into it.
I was also a little confused about the time period! Was it set in the old west or in some twisted dystopia based on that time…I was very confused….it came off to me as a mix of both.
The Quick-Fixer-Upper Ending:
This is a really big pet peeve of mine. Sometimes authors just end their books, they don’t conclude. This is one of them. If a book is a stand alone and the character’s journey is ending then they at least deserve a good, solid portrayal of what their lives after will be like after. I feel like this book ending too fast, there was no look into the post-trauma, just a “well they sort of lived happily ever after on their farm and they still have some issues dealing with the past. The end.” Ummmm could you expand maybe, just a little please? Like their issues were kind of big!! Really big actually, I’m still not over it!
Overall, it was a lovely story. I really enjoyed the more dramatic and entertaining bits and the hint of magic made the atmosphere even more beautiful to be in. The interesting characters and their dark pasts and motives made this a real roller coaster of emotions. Even some of their good intentions weren’t all that “good”. Interesting, I feel is the just the word to describe it.
Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
Recommend: Yes! If you want to start out reading some Magical Realism, this could be a start!
But I did enjoy this!
_____________
Full Review: https://readingwithrendz.wordpress.co...
Just look at that cover! *Swoons.* It’s absolutely gorgeous and the colours and silhouettes totally encompass this book perfectly. But I’m not here to solely critique the cover and as much as I want to say that the cover and the story go hand in hand as one blend of total epicness…I can’t. This book was good, don’t get me wrong, it just lacked that final oomph. It fell flat to me in some areas, but there was never a moment where I didn’t want to continue reading. It’s kind of complicated, me and this book.
What I Liked
Characters:
Sarah Jac: Okay, Sarah Jac and I have a bit of a bumpy relationship. On one hand I’m like “Yes, go girl! You do you. It’s a game of survival be prepared for anything!” On the other hand I’m like “No stop. You’re being stupid. No. No. Please, stop. Think girl. Think!” She was a very complicated gal, in a very complicated situation. She had to act tough, be ruthless, think about no one but herself and James, but having hard hearts leads to big trouble in many ways as having a soft heart does. She wasn’t exactly the most “likeable” character but she was and interesting one at that!
James: Well..I liked him in the first half of the novel. He seemed like the endless flirt who just wanted everyone to feel good. To be even just a little content in time of hardship. Then the second half of the novel came and my feelings changed. He wasn’t very present in the novel but his actions are known, acknowledged and not appreciated by me!
Leo: I wish there was more of him in this book because he was a really funny and charismatic person. He fades off into the background about halfway through but for *reasons* so I guess it’s okay.
Bell: What a fun creature she was, indeed.
Other characters…there were plenty other characters like the ranch owners, the other maguey laborers and foremen but none of them took a prominent position. They did however make a big impact on Sarah Jac and her journey, Bell being the biggest factor of them all.
Atmosphere:
The best aspect of this book is the atmosphere, the setting and descriptions. Just beautiful. You really get the sense of the hot desert sand, the blazing sun, the relentless heat that is beating on our characters day in and day out. Mabry does a superb job creating the atmosphere and the tension of the characters nerves, motives and actions. Very well done.
Magic Realism:
So I may not be an expert or know the exact definition of what magical realism is, but I’m 100% sure this book has it. And it was beautiful. The use of magic to makes the reader understand the desperation of Sarah Jac. Her experience working in these fields and the memories from her past that plague her. I enjoyed the use of magic to explain the going-ons in Sarah’s head and her emotions. It just added to the beauty of the story and I really enjoyed it.
Though I do propose a question:
What does the YA world have against bees??? This is the second book I’ve read that uses bees as a source of corruption and death…like hello? Did no one ever watch The Bee Movie, our little friends deserve justice!
Romance:
Stress. So you go in with a pre-made ship you don’t have to worry about all that tension, right? No. This ship had its problems in the beginning, but I was okay with it. That’s what couples have to do, work through their problems. Survive against the toughest of circumstances. Still. *Rendz, why is this under the liked stuff if you didn’t really like it?* The drama, obviously! I lived for it and it’s one of the few things that kept me well entertained.
What I Disliked:
It was slooooww:
It got boring really fast and I just couldn’t keep myself glued to the pages long enough. I would have no motivation to pick it up because I knew that I was going to have to endure endless pages of Sarah Jac in her head, just thinking. That’s not to say that all her thoughts were boring, it’s just that sometimes things got repetitive and I wasn’t into it.
I was also a little confused about the time period! Was it set in the old west or in some twisted dystopia based on that time…I was very confused….it came off to me as a mix of both.
The Quick-Fixer-Upper Ending:
This is a really big pet peeve of mine. Sometimes authors just end their books, they don’t conclude. This is one of them. If a book is a stand alone and the character’s journey is ending then they at least deserve a good, solid portrayal of what their lives after will be like after. I feel like this book ending too fast, there was no look into the post-trauma, just a “well they sort of lived happily ever after on their farm and they still have some issues dealing with the past. The end.” Ummmm could you expand maybe, just a little please? Like their issues were kind of big!! Really big actually, I’m still not over it!
Overall, it was a lovely story. I really enjoyed the more dramatic and entertaining bits and the hint of magic made the atmosphere even more beautiful to be in. The interesting characters and their dark pasts and motives made this a real roller coaster of emotions. Even some of their good intentions weren’t all that “good”. Interesting, I feel is the just the word to describe it.
Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
Recommend: Yes! If you want to start out reading some Magical Realism, this could be a start!
Read
October 19, 2017Graded By: Mandy C.
Cover Story: Pretty as a Picture
BFF Charm: Maybe
Swoonworthy Scale: 3
Talky Talk: Back to the Future
Bonus Factor: Traveling Show
Anti-Bonus Factor: Betrayal
Relationship Status: Attempting a Friendship
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Pretty as a Picture
BFF Charm: Maybe
Swoonworthy Scale: 3
Talky Talk: Back to the Future
Bonus Factor: Traveling Show
Anti-Bonus Factor: Betrayal
Relationship Status: Attempting a Friendship
Read the full book report here.
November 1, 2017
Jumping on trains and temporarily working on fields throughout the southwest, Sarah Jac Crow and James Holt must hide their true relationship for the safety of both of them. Trying to save enough money to buy a place of their own, the pair has spent many months conning and stealing in the background while withstanding the harsh working conditions. When they travel to a place that many workers feel is cursed, will James and Sarah be able to work their magic or will they fall victim like so many others?
The premise of All the Wind in the World was interesting, but the book never came together for me. The main characters were not very likeable and their story did not make any sense. The author alluded to a tough path for Sarah and her sister, but never really completed the background information. The whole idea of Sarah and James being able to save enough money working the fields to have their own place made no sense, as it is common knowledge that field workers make little after having to pay for their accommodations and food. Yes, the pair were thieves, but that would not have been enough. The magical element did not do anything to help the story move forward and did not seem to have a place in the overall plot. All the Wind in the World is not a book that I would recommend to other readers for the above reasons.
The premise of All the Wind in the World was interesting, but the book never came together for me. The main characters were not very likeable and their story did not make any sense. The author alluded to a tough path for Sarah and her sister, but never really completed the background information. The whole idea of Sarah and James being able to save enough money working the fields to have their own place made no sense, as it is common knowledge that field workers make little after having to pay for their accommodations and food. Yes, the pair were thieves, but that would not have been enough. The magical element did not do anything to help the story move forward and did not seem to have a place in the overall plot. All the Wind in the World is not a book that I would recommend to other readers for the above reasons.
August 27, 2017
Beautiful writing and complex main character, but geez was this depressing. I hated the whole secret relationship aspect as it did nothing but cause emotional damage.
October 19, 2017
3.5/5
Lovely, atmospheric read. I would have liked to connect with the characters a bit more and wanted more magic than realism, but it's a unique tale.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
Lovely, atmospheric read. I would have liked to connect with the characters a bit more and wanted more magic than realism, but it's a unique tale.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
August 17, 2017
The maguey harvest. Sarah and her lover James and responsible for part of the labor only telling time by the sounds of train whistles throughout the day. Moving down endless rows of agave plants harvesting the hearts for things like tequila. James and Sarah must keep their relationship a secret, frequently calling each other cousins but why? They travel from plantation to plantation harvesting in the grueling desert conditions of a futuristic United States. The lies they keep only intensify their already stressful situation building mystery and intrigue. They escape a blightful situation on a train to Texas for survival to a place that is supposedly cursed hoping for a new start.
I'm looking forward to further character and story development and learning more about this futuristic era of mysticism in the full-length novel.
ARC of the first few chapters.
I'm looking forward to further character and story development and learning more about this futuristic era of mysticism in the full-length novel.
ARC of the first few chapters.
November 22, 2017
I'm wishy-washy on All the Wind in the World. Some parts deserved a 1 or 2, other parts a 4. There wasn't an even flow of contentment for me. It was lacking something overall, maybe passion or "oomph." I enjoyed the storyline but it didn't grab me, pull me in, envelope me and make me stay up at night. I often wondered what the point of the story was as I felt little suspense. I've attempted to read Mabry's other book but DNF around page 70 as that one also felt like it was going nowhere. If this wasn't such a short, easy read I may not have invested my time into finishing it. It was unique, I will give it that, but not very "magical" or captivating.
Read
July 12, 2017I am a big fan of magical realism and fell hard for Mabry's debut novel. I still think she's a wonderful writer, but I was not a fan of the story in this book. It just left a lot of plot holes unfilled and a couple of major characters felt painfully underdeveloped. The world-building also felt a bit off. Still, there were some beautifully written, evocative passages, and I don't regret reading it. I just hope her next book is more like her first than this sophomore effort.
August 10, 2018
QUÉ FINAL, WEY!
Tengo que decir que la mayor parte del libro fue una lectura normalita, pero la parte fi al me ha volado el cerebro.
Pasaron cosas que no veía venir y eso hace que se lleve el 4.5 para mí.
La historia es medio creppy, pero vale la pe a leerlo.
Me encantó y pronto haré la reseña en el Blog explicando más mi sentir.
Deben leerlo.
Tengo que decir que la mayor parte del libro fue una lectura normalita, pero la parte fi al me ha volado el cerebro.
Pasaron cosas que no veía venir y eso hace que se lleve el 4.5 para mí.
La historia es medio creppy, pero vale la pe a leerlo.
Me encantó y pronto haré la reseña en el Blog explicando más mi sentir.
Deben leerlo.
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