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A review by romanaromana
Wild Ground by Emily Usher
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4 stars.
(Here are some content warnings).
I have been excited to read this since I heard about it, and it did not disappoint.
I was very quickly impressed by the readability and flow of Emily Usher’s writing. It was pacy and believable and I was so pleased by how easy it was to sink into her prose. This no doubt points to the strength of Neef’s voice throughout, and the seamless way that Usher flicks between the past and present.
It was also somewhat unusual, but great nonetheless, to find that both timelines were equally engaging. They are balanced so well against each other, giving readers just the right amount of each segment of Neef’s life, whilst keeping the right amount at bay until the perfect moment. It really was just excellently paced and carefully written.
My minor complaint is due here because there was an element of repetition in Neef’s character and journey which bogged me down slightly, although I appreciate that this was just a reflection of Neef herself and the particular story Usher had chosen to tell. Perhaps to offset that, I would have liked a hint of better forward progress and understanding from Neef at the end of things. This would have been particularly welcome in regard to Neef’s naivety towards racial prejudice, which I would like to think she had begun to grow out of or realise in the present narrative.
Neef aside, I was intrigued by the other characters in Wild Ground too. Danny shone, of course, and I especially liked seeing the way his relationship with his dad and grandmother shifted over the years, and did so much to his behaviour around others too. Chrissy was another strong figure, and even Barry was very much interesting to read.
A very strong start for Usher! I look forward to the next.
(Here are some content warnings).
I have been excited to read this since I heard about it, and it did not disappoint.
I was very quickly impressed by the readability and flow of Emily Usher’s writing. It was pacy and believable and I was so pleased by how easy it was to sink into her prose. This no doubt points to the strength of Neef’s voice throughout, and the seamless way that Usher flicks between the past and present.
It was also somewhat unusual, but great nonetheless, to find that both timelines were equally engaging. They are balanced so well against each other, giving readers just the right amount of each segment of Neef’s life, whilst keeping the right amount at bay until the perfect moment. It really was just excellently paced and carefully written.
My minor complaint is due here because there was an element of repetition in Neef’s character and journey which bogged me down slightly, although I appreciate that this was just a reflection of Neef herself and the particular story Usher had chosen to tell. Perhaps to offset that, I would have liked a hint of better forward progress and understanding from Neef at the end of things. This would have been particularly welcome in regard to Neef’s naivety towards racial prejudice, which I would like to think she had begun to grow out of or realise in the present narrative.
Neef aside, I was intrigued by the other characters in Wild Ground too. Danny shone, of course, and I especially liked seeing the way his relationship with his dad and grandmother shifted over the years, and did so much to his behaviour around others too. Chrissy was another strong figure, and even Barry was very much interesting to read.
A very strong start for Usher! I look forward to the next.