Where do I start?
No really, honestly, seriously: where do I start explaining how brilliant this book is? How happy it made me and how much the story sucked me in?
I've got not a clue, but here's to trying!
My journey with this book started on the day I got my hands on it, without knowing where it came from. No one has admitted to ordering this book for me, so I've settled on the explanation that I did it myself and forgot about it (which seems unlikely, but I couldn't tell you what else could've happened).
I started reading this big big book that fit perfectly in my small vintage bag, and I took it with me wherever I went, for about a week, and finished it too quickly for my tastes.
Don't get me wrong: The whole story (beginning, middle and ending) is very complete and I wouldn't change a thing about it, but...I wanted more and more and more. I wanted to keep reading this forever.
I'm starting to realise that's not just because of this particular book/story, but that it's also an effect Cindy Paul seems to have on me. I really 'vibe' with their writing style, and it's a wondrous feeling.
The representation in this book is once again done with such love and care, it always feels like a breath of fresh air. I loved the contrast between the inclusivity and the sometimes ignorant and stubborn way of thinking you encounter in this story.
This book made me really happy, and without a doubt deserves my 5 stars.
So, ready to talk about the actual story after all this rambling? Yea? Great! (I'm doing most of this from memory and I'm dreadful with names, but know that I'm doing my best)
We start our journey with our first person of interest ''Saga''! Saga's narration is a very interesting one, and I was delighted to see her outside of it as well. Even though I needed a bit more time to become smitten with this book, Saga's part kept me intrigued and built a solid foundation to fall deeply in love with they entirety of the story.
The second narrator is Pid. And let me tell you: Pid is the best. Pid kicks ass. And if she doesn't, I'll kick ass for her happiness. Her story and interactions were so important to me (feels a bit strange admitting to that). And can we also just talk about the whole "I might regret this, but I'm going to do it anyway'' thing? I screamed.
3rd up is Keen who is a total sweetheart. You know that fancy word ''Endearing''? I'm pretty sure it was invented to be able to describe what Keen does to people's heartstrings. There's so much development in this narration, and it's heartbreakingly wonderful to see such a positive person run into such ignorant behaviour in a strange new place and have this weight of being a good and dutiful child to their parents whilst wanting to stray from that path altogether.
4th narration goes to the Baker's boy. I was so hoping he'd be in the narration cycle, so I was delighted he was actually a part of it! This one was so beautifully done as well, and, I must admit, quite sexy. I loved that self-reflection was a big theme here and my heart broke for Raid. Worth had some work to do, but I'm pretty sure he came through in the end and at least showed the motivation to look at the world with different eyes.
Then our last one, where so many elements of our other stories start overlapping and coexisting and where the ending knocks you completely off your feet and even folds your socks for you after losing them to this bizarre sensation that's called ''A good book''.
It's so difficult for me to explain how much the story, the characters, the inclusivity, the plot, and not to forget: the writing style really made me love this book. But I tried.
SO: 5 ducking stars to this gentle giant book with all my love <3