In the last couple months, I made a wonderful discovery. Audiobooks! More specifically, I discovered Hoopla, an app available at my local library, which has a plethora of audiobooks. With work picking up again (I’m exhausted but enjoying it), audiobooks have been particularly nice.
My
only warning, if you’re like me and want to read all the books at once, watch
your number of checkouts. Hoopla only lets you use five checkouts a month.
That
being said, Elatsoe was a delight to listen to! I’m particularly glad I
listened to this one so that I could learn how to pronounce the name,
eh-lat-SOE-ay. Though apparently the book contains illustrations, and I missed them!
The
dog doesn’t die in the end because the dog is already dead. Kirby is Ely’s
ghost dog, whom she brought back after he died of old age. I’m not going to
lie, I want a ghost dog, or even a ghost beardie! I’ve lost pets over the
years, and it would be a delight to see them again, even if I couldn’t pet
them.
Yet
there are still limitations in this fantasy world. Animals may make great ghost
companions, but human ghosts, as the story often reminds us, are terrible
things. And the vampire curse, as it’s called, may have its advantages for the
young but grows more difficult with age.
I
particularly liked the way the story wove Native American mythology, particular
Lipan Apache, with what is to me, familiar fantasy elements. The cultural
aspects were also quite fascinating, and I appreciated reading about a
perspective I don’t normally hear from.
Then
there were the mystery elements to the story. Early on, readers get the who in the who-done-it.
It’s the why that kept me guessing, and I hadn’t figured it out by the
big reveal.
I
also enjoyed the way the narrative contained stories within the main story.
They weren’t just flashbacks but stories within themselves. I was incredibly
pleased with the book as a whole.
In
all, I gave Elatsoe 4.5/5 stars for an excellent narrative and
characters. I only wish it were a little longer. I’d recommend the book to anybody
interested in creative contemporary fantasy. I look forward to reading more of
Darcie Little Badger’s work.
Interested
in the book? Have you read it
yet? You might also enjoy these fantasy novels: The Cruel Prince
by Holly Black, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, and
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow.
Let’s
chat! Have you read Elatsoe yet, or has it made it to your TBR? What are
some of your favorite contemporary fantasies?
***
Similar
book reviews: The Ten Thousand Doors of January, Fawkes, and The Snow Child
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