Review of Hunger of the Pine
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Ruka NK
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Review of Hunger of the Pine
[Following is a volunteer review of "Hunger of the Pine" by Teal Swan.]
Hunger of the Pine by Teal Swan is a captivating young adult fiction that delves into the life of Aria Abbot, a teenage girl navigating the foster care system. After being taken by social services from her drug-addict mother, Aria is placed in the Johnson family’s Christian household, where her desire for belonging and safety is put to the test. Conflicted, Aria makes a drastic decision that flips her life unexpectedly and leads her to discover a world completely different from the one she was expecting.
I think the main positive would be the level of engagement that the plot solicits from the reader. It mixed painful and deeply moving situations with contemplative and emotion-enriched dialogues to present the character sincerely and realistically, making them very relatable. Even though it made certain scenes painful to read, it did well to capture the attention and compassion of the reader. This also makes the reader feel like they are present with Aria, experiencing her struggles, and having faith in her. Another positive was the presentation it gave of the lives of disadvantaged children, those in the system, and the homeless and the impact of that on their future and mental health. The author was able to articulate it into the dialogue and build it into the plot without prejudice and with objectiveness and compassion.
The book had no negatives for me. Its plot and message felt straightforward and sincere. We were given characters that felt very realistic and human, with depth and clear elaboration of their feelings and actions. This showed the emotions and mental toll that their situation has put on them, giving nuanced insight into the path that brought them to their situation. In the end, despite the cycle of suffering, we are left sad but hopeful about the change that the future might bring to them.
The book was heartwarming but objective in its presentation of the struggles and pain that come with getting a bad hand in life. It shows that some human conditions are out of our hands. Despite all the effort we put in to work hard, faith might have other things in store for us, and the actions of others can negatively or positively impact us. I give this book a 5 out of 5. I did not find any typos, grammar, spelling or punctuation mistakes in it. Therefore, I believe it was well-edited. Its ability to evoke empathy and understanding shows the author’s skill in conveying harsh realities and the interconnectedness of our experiences.
I recommend this book to people with an interest in the young adult genre. The writing style is attentive to detail and allows the reader to build a deep connection with the characters. The book has an incredible emotional pull. Readers who like books that centre around the struggle and pain of the human condition, or people who appreciate character-driven plots with social issues and realistic fiction, would enjoy it.
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Hunger of the Pine
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Hunger of the Pine by Teal Swan is a captivating young adult fiction that delves into the life of Aria Abbot, a teenage girl navigating the foster care system. After being taken by social services from her drug-addict mother, Aria is placed in the Johnson family’s Christian household, where her desire for belonging and safety is put to the test. Conflicted, Aria makes a drastic decision that flips her life unexpectedly and leads her to discover a world completely different from the one she was expecting.
I think the main positive would be the level of engagement that the plot solicits from the reader. It mixed painful and deeply moving situations with contemplative and emotion-enriched dialogues to present the character sincerely and realistically, making them very relatable. Even though it made certain scenes painful to read, it did well to capture the attention and compassion of the reader. This also makes the reader feel like they are present with Aria, experiencing her struggles, and having faith in her. Another positive was the presentation it gave of the lives of disadvantaged children, those in the system, and the homeless and the impact of that on their future and mental health. The author was able to articulate it into the dialogue and build it into the plot without prejudice and with objectiveness and compassion.
The book had no negatives for me. Its plot and message felt straightforward and sincere. We were given characters that felt very realistic and human, with depth and clear elaboration of their feelings and actions. This showed the emotions and mental toll that their situation has put on them, giving nuanced insight into the path that brought them to their situation. In the end, despite the cycle of suffering, we are left sad but hopeful about the change that the future might bring to them.
The book was heartwarming but objective in its presentation of the struggles and pain that come with getting a bad hand in life. It shows that some human conditions are out of our hands. Despite all the effort we put in to work hard, faith might have other things in store for us, and the actions of others can negatively or positively impact us. I give this book a 5 out of 5. I did not find any typos, grammar, spelling or punctuation mistakes in it. Therefore, I believe it was well-edited. Its ability to evoke empathy and understanding shows the author’s skill in conveying harsh realities and the interconnectedness of our experiences.
I recommend this book to people with an interest in the young adult genre. The writing style is attentive to detail and allows the reader to build a deep connection with the characters. The book has an incredible emotional pull. Readers who like books that centre around the struggle and pain of the human condition, or people who appreciate character-driven plots with social issues and realistic fiction, would enjoy it.
******
Hunger of the Pine
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Corporate Escapades by T.K. Ambers
