Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (2011), Edition: 1, Hardcover, 288 pages
Description
Fantasy. Science Fiction. Young Adult Fiction. HTML: In the year 2098 America isn't so different from the USA of today. But, in a post-9/11 security-obssessed world, "secured" doesn't just refer to borders between countries, it also refer to borders between states. Teenagers still think they know everything, but there is no cure for cancer, as Kelsa knows first-hand from watching her father die. The night Kelsa buries her father, a boy appears. He claims magic is responsible for the health of Earth, but human damage disrupts its flow. The planet is dying. Kelsa has the power to reverse the damage, but first she must accept that magic exists and see beyond her own pain in order to heal the planet..
User reviews
LibraryThing member Bibliotropic
If there's any problem to be found in throwing the reader into a world that's very similar and yet slightly different to this one, it's that sometimes the authors writes as though the reader is going to know all those subtle differences and won't be lost when making references to customs or
Then we get to meet Raven, and the story really takes off.
In following Kelsa's adventures of running away from home and trying to save the planet, we get to be wrapped up in a story that's much bigger than the piece that we're being shown in the novel. The planet is dying because humans messed up in monumental ways, and unfortunately the slow-fix solution of trying to be more eco-conscious just won't cut it anymore. Things have to start healing right away, and fast, or else things will start going to pot.
The environmental message was presented a bit heavy-handedly sometimes, but since it's a message I can get behind, I didn't mind that too much. For some readers, though, the kind who sit on the fence regarding environmental activism or those who don't think much about it one way or the other, might find some of Raven's lectures about it rather tiresome.
I can easily see why some people wouldn't like the ending to the book, or think that it was a poorly done way of setting things up for a sequel. I disagree. From the beginning it was established that this mission is something that Kelsa can't do alone, that must be done by people all over the world, and what we see at the end isn't so much a set-up for another part of the series or a cop-out ending because the author couldn't think of how to have the planet be healed convincingly. No, what we see is merely Kelsa's part in the mission come to an end. The torch has been passed on, and now it's time for somebody else to do what she bravely admitted she could not. It was actually refreshing to see a book that had an open ending and yet still tied up all the loose ends that it could.
(Though from what I hear, there will be another book attached to this one. That doesn't diminish what I said above, though.)
This is a definite recommend to YA fantasy/sci-fi fans, and to those who enjoy a good normal-person-saves-the-world tale.
Hilari Bell has a lot going for her as an author, and really knows how to weave a story with the right amount of little details that make the world so believable. I can't wait to see what she'll write next!
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technology that doesn't exist here. That was my thought when I first started reading Trickster's Girl, and though that sentiment was a mild one, it was still present in the back of my mind.Then we get to meet Raven, and the story really takes off.
In following Kelsa's adventures of running away from home and trying to save the planet, we get to be wrapped up in a story that's much bigger than the piece that we're being shown in the novel. The planet is dying because humans messed up in monumental ways, and unfortunately the slow-fix solution of trying to be more eco-conscious just won't cut it anymore. Things have to start healing right away, and fast, or else things will start going to pot.
The environmental message was presented a bit heavy-handedly sometimes, but since it's a message I can get behind, I didn't mind that too much. For some readers, though, the kind who sit on the fence regarding environmental activism or those who don't think much about it one way or the other, might find some of Raven's lectures about it rather tiresome.
I can easily see why some people wouldn't like the ending to the book, or think that it was a poorly done way of setting things up for a sequel. I disagree. From the beginning it was established that this mission is something that Kelsa can't do alone, that must be done by people all over the world, and what we see at the end isn't so much a set-up for another part of the series or a cop-out ending because the author couldn't think of how to have the planet be healed convincingly. No, what we see is merely Kelsa's part in the mission come to an end. The torch has been passed on, and now it's time for somebody else to do what she bravely admitted she could not. It was actually refreshing to see a book that had an open ending and yet still tied up all the loose ends that it could.
(Though from what I hear, there will be another book attached to this one. That doesn't diminish what I said above, though.)
This is a definite recommend to YA fantasy/sci-fi fans, and to those who enjoy a good normal-person-saves-the-world tale.
Hilari Bell has a lot going for her as an author, and really knows how to weave a story with the right amount of little details that make the world so believable. I can't wait to see what she'll write next!
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LibraryThing member bookwormygirl
I really liked the premise of this book - it's a dystopian with paranormal elements - which I found very unique and what actually seduced me into wanting to read it. But sadly I had a hard time getting into the story. For me, it started off really slow and I kept having a hard time picking it back
I always finish a book no matter how much I have to struggle through it, but sadly, I really had to put effort into finishing this one. I've read various other reviews to see how other fellow bloggers/readers are feeling about Trickster's Girl and I see a lot of mixed reviews. So my final word would be enter at your own risk... you might just be one of the readers who loves it.
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up if I needed to stop reading for whatever reason. While I did find Kelsa and Raven's journey to be interesting as well as learning about why the Earth is slowly dying, I still had a hard time connecting with the characters. Some of the situations and reactions just didn't feel credible or relateable enough for me to actually feel any type of connection with them. The interaction between Kelsa and Raven felt forced and while I do enjoy books where the main protagonists are not involved romantically, the lack of romance left the friendship feeling stiff. I also had a hard time with the authors take on global warming and going green. While I'm all for going green and saving the planet, I think her message was a bit repetitive, even preachy at times.I always finish a book no matter how much I have to struggle through it, but sadly, I really had to put effort into finishing this one. I've read various other reviews to see how other fellow bloggers/readers are feeling about Trickster's Girl and I see a lot of mixed reviews. So my final word would be enter at your own risk... you might just be one of the readers who loves it.
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LibraryThing member ComaCalm
15 year old Kelsa's father has just died. Feeling unloved and unwanted by her Mother she sees an opportunity to escape when she meets the mysterious Raven, who wants to use her to help heal the leys in the world that humans have destroyed. Somewhere near the year 3000, Kelsa and Raven start the
Although this is classed as a Sci-Fi novel I would recommend it lovers of Fantasy/Adventure due to there being more Fantasy elements in the story than Sci-Fi. There is futuristic elements but nothing particularly heavy – unless a futuristic coffee machine is too much for you. It also reads like a fantasy novel.
Kelsa and Raven fight like an old married couple which is quite hilarious. There's plenty of sarcastic comments in here!
I really enjoyed this story, especially the suspenseful moments but... I was disappointed with the ending. I felt it was rather rushed and not the ending I was hoping for. For instance, as you'd expect, Kelsa and Raven were flirting with each other all the way through and I was waiting for them to get their act together and at least kiss. There was barely a cuddle! That was very disappointing, especially as that's what you'd expect from a YA novel.
(Received this free from NetGalley to review)
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epic journey form Utah to Alaska. But not everyone wants them to succeed in their quest...Although this is classed as a Sci-Fi novel I would recommend it lovers of Fantasy/Adventure due to there being more Fantasy elements in the story than Sci-Fi. There is futuristic elements but nothing particularly heavy – unless a futuristic coffee machine is too much for you. It also reads like a fantasy novel.
Kelsa and Raven fight like an old married couple which is quite hilarious. There's plenty of sarcastic comments in here!
I really enjoyed this story, especially the suspenseful moments but... I was disappointed with the ending. I felt it was rather rushed and not the ending I was hoping for. For instance, as you'd expect, Kelsa and Raven were flirting with each other all the way through and I was waiting for them to get their act together and at least kiss. There was barely a cuddle! That was very disappointing, especially as that's what you'd expect from a YA novel.
(Received this free from NetGalley to review)
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LibraryThing member raboyer
Tame Trickster
* I received this book via Star Book Tours
This book gets 2 gnomes and a gnome hat out of five gnomes for having an innovative concept with looking at Native American mythology but doesn't explore the mythology as much as it could have. One fun aspect of the book involves the curse
The story starts very slowly. It takes place in the future but I think it might have had an even stronger message if it had been set in the present. This would work because people are more pro-environmental now and security it tighter, it's interesting to read about this future but there could have been more to it.
The reader first meets Kelsa at her father's funeral. She was much closer to her father than her mother, she doesn't have the best relationship with her mother. Raven, the trickster god, finds her as she's burying her father's ashes.
In this future time there's a tree plague that was released by terrorists that is killing all the trees. This isn't the only problem since their have been bad environmental practices before this but the tree plague is kind of the last straw. Apparently all these environmental problems are weakening or continuing to weaken the ley lines of the world, these lines are where magic comes from, so they are destroying this world and the world where Raven comes from. Raven believes that only a human can fix the damage.
It takes Raven some time to convince Kelsa that she's the person that can heal the Earth through fixing fixing different ley lines at various nexuses of power. She is suspicious of Raven a lot and Raven doesn't really see humans as being very capable.
The story really picks up and grabs for your attention after Kelsa finds out that the enemies Raven talks about that don't want them to succeed are real. Things get more enjoyable and fun to read once they are on the run. I was kind of uncomfortable at one part where she decides to make herself look completely different by essentially putting on blackface in the form of really dark concealer.
I might have given this book a 3 gnomes out of 5 if it weren't for the ending. It has the kind of ending where I was questioning why exactly things had to happen this way. In the end the reader is left with no idea what's going to occur next and not a clue to who the main characters will be.
Overall I expected more magic to be involved but everything is more natural then magical except for the whole shapeshifting part. Also was some humor throughout though no romance even though it is kind of implied by the cover and title of the book.
* I received this book via Star Book Tours
This book gets 2 gnomes and a gnome hat out of five gnomes for having an innovative concept with looking at Native American mythology but doesn't explore the mythology as much as it could have. One fun aspect of the book involves the curse
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words of the future. These curse words made me feel like a real trendsetter, like carp, I say carp all the time because it tended to get me in less trouble then saying the original word.The story starts very slowly. It takes place in the future but I think it might have had an even stronger message if it had been set in the present. This would work because people are more pro-environmental now and security it tighter, it's interesting to read about this future but there could have been more to it.
The reader first meets Kelsa at her father's funeral. She was much closer to her father than her mother, she doesn't have the best relationship with her mother. Raven, the trickster god, finds her as she's burying her father's ashes.
In this future time there's a tree plague that was released by terrorists that is killing all the trees. This isn't the only problem since their have been bad environmental practices before this but the tree plague is kind of the last straw. Apparently all these environmental problems are weakening or continuing to weaken the ley lines of the world, these lines are where magic comes from, so they are destroying this world and the world where Raven comes from. Raven believes that only a human can fix the damage.
It takes Raven some time to convince Kelsa that she's the person that can heal the Earth through fixing fixing different ley lines at various nexuses of power. She is suspicious of Raven a lot and Raven doesn't really see humans as being very capable.
The story really picks up and grabs for your attention after Kelsa finds out that the enemies Raven talks about that don't want them to succeed are real. Things get more enjoyable and fun to read once they are on the run. I was kind of uncomfortable at one part where she decides to make herself look completely different by essentially putting on blackface in the form of really dark concealer.
I might have given this book a 3 gnomes out of 5 if it weren't for the ending. It has the kind of ending where I was questioning why exactly things had to happen this way. In the end the reader is left with no idea what's going to occur next and not a clue to who the main characters will be.
Overall I expected more magic to be involved but everything is more natural then magical except for the whole shapeshifting part. Also was some humor throughout though no romance even though it is kind of implied by the cover and title of the book.
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LibraryThing member stephxsu
Unfortunately I did not get very far into this before I put it down. I think the concept is interesting, and Bell's writing is not bad, per se: technically and stylistically, it flows well and reads rhythmically, which is to say that we readers are not tripped up by the narration. However, the book
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lacked what I guess I'd have to call a human connection. The characters didn't seem to act the way people do: if a strange guy was basically stalking ME, I'd probably mention it to an adult pretty soon down the line, instead of just shrugging it off and not being thisclose to freaking out the next time he shows up. Kelsa and Raven's conversations felt stiff and unconvincing: during the little I managed to stomach of this book, most of their conversation seemed to go something along the lines of, "So, you ready to believe in magic?" "Who are you and why are you stalking me?" "Okay, I guess not, I'll come back when you're ready." Aaaand repeat. So on, ad nauseum. The characters felt like puppets being acted out, inside of actual people with natural, reasonable reactions. A fascinating concept is not enough to overcome a lack of humanity in books for me, and that's when I knew I had to put it down. Show Less
LibraryThing member LLL808
Trickster's Girl is an easy read but I'm afraid it's more simple then I prefer but suitable for the age demographic.
The plot is carefully put together. The conflict with the main character, Kelsa, was easily felt and written to reach its reader. Most notable, Kelsa's character possesses admirable
The journey Kelsa and Raven set out on from her home in Utah to Alaska is quite the excitement for a teenage girl but she holds her own well. The world in which this plot takes place is interesting. There are Levcars that hoover above ground, cameras that survey public areas, com boards, plastic guns, DNA locks, DNA coded guns but it's not total sci-fi just advanced. The year is 2093/94. There is magic and there is technology. After all the waste that has occurred in the human world both it and the magic world (co-existing with Earth) is in trouble. Raven sets out to find a human who can help heal the magic leys that enables life on Earth and in the Magic world. That is when Raven finds Kelsa.
Mostly, Trickster's Girl is a fair read. My curiosity had me reading on wondering what's going to happen next but I think it was the ending that had me stumped. It was a bit abrupt. The epilogue was even more confusing. I don't wish to give anything away but it doesn't feel like the plot is complete. Only now, I am looking up information on the Author's site. It seems that this book is a duet. There will be two in the series or better worded a duet. So now I am thinking the ending must be like a "to be continued..." which would explained but I felt the ending was abrupt. It's just a guess upon my opinion from the ending though.
All in all, this book would be great for the intended audience of 12+. Will I read book 2 in this duet? Yes, I am thinking I will. There is enough to the plot to have me curious despite its abrupt ending. Plus, the idea of a duet is new to me and that in itself is interesting.
The plot is carefully put together. The conflict with the main character, Kelsa, was easily felt and written to reach its reader. Most notable, Kelsa's character possesses admirable
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qualities. Her determination to complete what she's started is my most favorite attribute. A plight to save humankind with just a few hundred dollars to her name and a lying shapeshifter as a partner is a brilliant premise but overall I there was something missing. The journey Kelsa and Raven set out on from her home in Utah to Alaska is quite the excitement for a teenage girl but she holds her own well. The world in which this plot takes place is interesting. There are Levcars that hoover above ground, cameras that survey public areas, com boards, plastic guns, DNA locks, DNA coded guns but it's not total sci-fi just advanced. The year is 2093/94. There is magic and there is technology. After all the waste that has occurred in the human world both it and the magic world (co-existing with Earth) is in trouble. Raven sets out to find a human who can help heal the magic leys that enables life on Earth and in the Magic world. That is when Raven finds Kelsa.
Mostly, Trickster's Girl is a fair read. My curiosity had me reading on wondering what's going to happen next but I think it was the ending that had me stumped. It was a bit abrupt. The epilogue was even more confusing. I don't wish to give anything away but it doesn't feel like the plot is complete. Only now, I am looking up information on the Author's site. It seems that this book is a duet. There will be two in the series or better worded a duet. So now I am thinking the ending must be like a "to be continued..." which would explained but I felt the ending was abrupt. It's just a guess upon my opinion from the ending though.
All in all, this book would be great for the intended audience of 12+. Will I read book 2 in this duet? Yes, I am thinking I will. There is enough to the plot to have me curious despite its abrupt ending. Plus, the idea of a duet is new to me and that in itself is interesting.
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LibraryThing member mrsderaps
It's almost 100 years from today. Kelsa, the main character, has just lost her father. He was her idol and her best friend. He cared deeply about the environment, and Kelsa mother's doesn't understand just how deeply his death has impacted her daughter. While trying to commune with nature and
In this futuristic world, humans and the supernatural have basically destroyed the environment. The ways that humans have impacted the earth are obvious: more of the pollution and global warming that is already happening. But, there are supernatural forces at work in this novel as well. Not all creatures want to save the earth; some work against Raven and Kelsa in their mission.
This book combines a couple of genres. It's like a dystopia in that the government is controlling and the environment has been completely wrecked because of human consumption. And, there is a paranormal element to this book. Native American mythology and underworld characters abound.
As a fan of both genres, I wish that I loved this book more than I did. I have read other book reviews (and listened to a rave review from my local bookseller), so I know that opinions are mixed where this book is concerned. Some people are loving it and others are not so much in favor of this new series. (Because there will be more...)
I was entertained when I was able to get into the story. Every time I had to put it down, though, it was not easy to get back into. I did enjoy Kelsa and thought that she was a strong female lead. I also love the idea of mixing the dystopian and paranormal genres. This attempt lacked a little in its finesse at merging the two, but I look forward to reading other books where authors try this merge.
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spread her father's ashes in places he felt most at home, Kelsa meets a cunning, conniving, and shape-shifting trickster. His name is Raven and he needs Kelsa's help to accomplish his mission: Save the planet from certain death.In this futuristic world, humans and the supernatural have basically destroyed the environment. The ways that humans have impacted the earth are obvious: more of the pollution and global warming that is already happening. But, there are supernatural forces at work in this novel as well. Not all creatures want to save the earth; some work against Raven and Kelsa in their mission.
This book combines a couple of genres. It's like a dystopia in that the government is controlling and the environment has been completely wrecked because of human consumption. And, there is a paranormal element to this book. Native American mythology and underworld characters abound.
As a fan of both genres, I wish that I loved this book more than I did. I have read other book reviews (and listened to a rave review from my local bookseller), so I know that opinions are mixed where this book is concerned. Some people are loving it and others are not so much in favor of this new series. (Because there will be more...)
I was entertained when I was able to get into the story. Every time I had to put it down, though, it was not easy to get back into. I did enjoy Kelsa and thought that she was a strong female lead. I also love the idea of mixing the dystopian and paranormal genres. This attempt lacked a little in its finesse at merging the two, but I look forward to reading other books where authors try this merge.
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LibraryThing member BooksforCompany
I have so much to say about this book, l have a whole list of notes written that l started to write after l had read the first chapter. Before l start my review l have to say l didn't expect much from this book, the cover doesn't grab me at all BUT this book was a nice surprise. Even if l didn't
Oh and also before l start, just to get it out the way, l was often annoyed but the constant exclamations being used. Yes l use them lots but in a story they seem totally out of place being used so much.
I did warn you, l have a lot to say about it.
~
I haven't read a book in awhile that l have had a strong love and hate relationship with it and not known which one l side with the most.
First and foremost l should let you know this book is set ahead of time, around 2086 l think it said somewhere in the book. I think this is always daring because you need try to guess how advanced we are going to be by then. I think Hilari got it right most of the time and l loved nearly all of the things which she added to the world which Kelsa lives in.
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Now for my thoughts. This book actually started off as a great surprise as l was enjoying it a lot, l liked how the characters were introduced and Raven had great character at the beginning and l really warmed to him. Kelsa on the other hand l felt myself getting annoyed at her, she is rather mean to her mother and as l am very close to my mother l didn't get how she could be like that. A bit spoilt she came across in a few chapters.
Anyway at least they had their personality's at the beginning because suddenly as the story went on the l felt the two characters lost their personality and become flat. This may have been because Hilari seemed to focus so much on the plot that the building of their characters seemed abandoned. Stuff was being repeated as well as finding myself totally lost in a few sections and not understanding what was happening at all.
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The plot itself is the main thing which l am struggling on deciding if l loved it or hated it. It's confusing, interesting, frustrating, repetitive .. as you can see, its a lot of things! I truly don't know, l wasn't bored by the plot and its certainly a unique concept which Hilari had obviously thought into but l felt in some ways it was just too .. strange. Sometimes l connected with it and other times l didn't and its the times when l didn't connect with it when l am thinking "Please make Raven and Kelsa a bit complex!'. I honestly still don't know where l stand, l actually feel confused!
~
I guess at the end of the day my final verdict comes down to if l will read the next in the series. Yes. Just because l want to find out what happens as l am a nosey person but l won't be a rush to read the next one. Being honest though l would probably be satisfied with reading someone's review which tells me what happens next.
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always enjoy the concept of it, its a thought out book!Oh and also before l start, just to get it out the way, l was often annoyed but the constant exclamations being used. Yes l use them lots but in a story they seem totally out of place being used so much.
I did warn you, l have a lot to say about it.
~
I haven't read a book in awhile that l have had a strong love and hate relationship with it and not known which one l side with the most.
First and foremost l should let you know this book is set ahead of time, around 2086 l think it said somewhere in the book. I think this is always daring because you need try to guess how advanced we are going to be by then. I think Hilari got it right most of the time and l loved nearly all of the things which she added to the world which Kelsa lives in.
~
Now for my thoughts. This book actually started off as a great surprise as l was enjoying it a lot, l liked how the characters were introduced and Raven had great character at the beginning and l really warmed to him. Kelsa on the other hand l felt myself getting annoyed at her, she is rather mean to her mother and as l am very close to my mother l didn't get how she could be like that. A bit spoilt she came across in a few chapters.
Anyway at least they had their personality's at the beginning because suddenly as the story went on the l felt the two characters lost their personality and become flat. This may have been because Hilari seemed to focus so much on the plot that the building of their characters seemed abandoned. Stuff was being repeated as well as finding myself totally lost in a few sections and not understanding what was happening at all.
~
The plot itself is the main thing which l am struggling on deciding if l loved it or hated it. It's confusing, interesting, frustrating, repetitive .. as you can see, its a lot of things! I truly don't know, l wasn't bored by the plot and its certainly a unique concept which Hilari had obviously thought into but l felt in some ways it was just too .. strange. Sometimes l connected with it and other times l didn't and its the times when l didn't connect with it when l am thinking "Please make Raven and Kelsa a bit complex!'. I honestly still don't know where l stand, l actually feel confused!
~
I guess at the end of the day my final verdict comes down to if l will read the next in the series. Yes. Just because l want to find out what happens as l am a nosey person but l won't be a rush to read the next one. Being honest though l would probably be satisfied with reading someone's review which tells me what happens next.
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LibraryThing member CarolynThomas
Kelsa's beloved father has died. She and her mother are having serious problems since her father's illness and death. then a strange boy comes into her life - Raven the Shapeshifter. At first, Kelsa thinks she is going crazy then she accepts the magic that is in Raven. the quest he wishes her to
Set in the far distant future, the book combines science fiction, ancient Native American myths and a strong environmental message. Although it sounds very ambitious, Ms. Bell pulls it off with a fast paced adventure story that combines the romance of the quest and the very real problems of a teenaged girl overcome with grief for her father. A great read that is hard to put down.
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undertake is to save the forests of the Northwest from a biological plague that threatens to destroy the world. While that task is daunting enough, not everyone wants her to succeed. Set in the far distant future, the book combines science fiction, ancient Native American myths and a strong environmental message. Although it sounds very ambitious, Ms. Bell pulls it off with a fast paced adventure story that combines the romance of the quest and the very real problems of a teenaged girl overcome with grief for her father. A great read that is hard to put down.
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LibraryThing member sedelia
I am loving all these mythological-based books now coming out and this one is no different. I love how Bell ties together all the different mythologies to incorporate it into the story she's made. It really works. The novel did have a few problems for me that I will go into later, but first let's
Awesome thing #1: Subtlety. This is a futuristic world, but Bell doesn't make it so futuristic that I can't recognize it. Everything is similar but slightly off, which is exactly how I think the future will be. For example, there are hover vehicles, but regular vehicles still exist. People have "com pods" which I envision as some sort of really fancy iPhone. And some high school teachers seem to teach through computers, but it was still recognizably school. Some may argue that due to the rapid pace of technological advancements, it should have been more otherworldly, which I completely get; however, I really liked how I could recognize the old world in the new. Very well done.
Awesome thing #2: Native American mythology. I feel like this subject doesn't get written about a lot and it is SO interesting. Instead, many focus on Greek and Irish mythology (probably because that's what we mostly hear about in school). I liked the different flavor this mythology brought to the story, and I liked how it tied together with other mythologies. It especially works for the subject matter (healing the "leys," which are, essentially, a part of nature).
Awesome thing #3: It's a small thing, but I really liked how the evolution of the curse words was explained. I could totally see this happening in real life. Related to Awesome thing #1, it was similar enough that I recognized it, but just evolved enough to make it seem strange. Very cool.
Now for the problems.
Problem #1: Conflict. Using her "human magic" (as it's called) seemed to be really easy for Kelsa. And the incantations come rather easily to her. I know that the book says it takes her a little while to come up with the words, but I want to see the struggle. Especially since she's supposed to be conflicted about the existence of magic -- she is in denial, but then she just sits down and reaches out to the earth to heal it? Seems like a huge jump between mind frames. Conflict problems arose throughout the entire novel, I think. It was the biggest problem for me. I thought that things were fairly easy on Kelsa (until the end, of course), which I wasn't very happy with.
Problem #2: Development. Sometime between the beginning and middle of the novel, Kelsa got to become rather comfortable with Raven and his quirks. She would say things like "typical" when he did something, when I didn't find it typical at all. I really wished that there was more description of him and of the relationship they built so I could connect to him as well as Kelsa. This may have been a conscious choice on the part of the author since Raven is a spirit (or whatever you want to call him -- not human, anyway), and is therefore unrelatable. So I'm just going to list this as a personal preference.
However, I did think it was a good, fast read. I would recommend giving it a try.
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talk about the good stuff.Awesome thing #1: Subtlety. This is a futuristic world, but Bell doesn't make it so futuristic that I can't recognize it. Everything is similar but slightly off, which is exactly how I think the future will be. For example, there are hover vehicles, but regular vehicles still exist. People have "com pods" which I envision as some sort of really fancy iPhone. And some high school teachers seem to teach through computers, but it was still recognizably school. Some may argue that due to the rapid pace of technological advancements, it should have been more otherworldly, which I completely get; however, I really liked how I could recognize the old world in the new. Very well done.
Awesome thing #2: Native American mythology. I feel like this subject doesn't get written about a lot and it is SO interesting. Instead, many focus on Greek and Irish mythology (probably because that's what we mostly hear about in school). I liked the different flavor this mythology brought to the story, and I liked how it tied together with other mythologies. It especially works for the subject matter (healing the "leys," which are, essentially, a part of nature).
Awesome thing #3: It's a small thing, but I really liked how the evolution of the curse words was explained. I could totally see this happening in real life. Related to Awesome thing #1, it was similar enough that I recognized it, but just evolved enough to make it seem strange. Very cool.
Now for the problems.
Problem #1: Conflict. Using her "human magic" (as it's called) seemed to be really easy for Kelsa. And the incantations come rather easily to her. I know that the book says it takes her a little while to come up with the words, but I want to see the struggle. Especially since she's supposed to be conflicted about the existence of magic -- she is in denial, but then she just sits down and reaches out to the earth to heal it? Seems like a huge jump between mind frames. Conflict problems arose throughout the entire novel, I think. It was the biggest problem for me. I thought that things were fairly easy on Kelsa (until the end, of course), which I wasn't very happy with.
Problem #2: Development. Sometime between the beginning and middle of the novel, Kelsa got to become rather comfortable with Raven and his quirks. She would say things like "typical" when he did something, when I didn't find it typical at all. I really wished that there was more description of him and of the relationship they built so I could connect to him as well as Kelsa. This may have been a conscious choice on the part of the author since Raven is a spirit (or whatever you want to call him -- not human, anyway), and is therefore unrelatable. So I'm just going to list this as a personal preference.
However, I did think it was a good, fast read. I would recommend giving it a try.
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LibraryThing member roses7184
I'm sad to say that I really didn't connect with this book as much as I would have liked to. There were things about Trickster's Girl that I really liked, and then other things that took away from the reading experience for me. By the time that I reached the ending, I had to war with myself over
I have to give credit to Hilari Bell for choosing such a fabulous backdrop for her story. As Kelsa travels with Raven as her companion, they drive through some stunning scenery. I really enjoyed how a lot of monuments and state parks are mentioned. Anyone who has ever visited these will automatically be able to transport themselves into that part of the story with Kelsa. Also, there is an underlying current here about taking care of our environment. Kelsa's mission is to repair something that we, as humans, have torn asunder with our careless nature. The entire book discusses the natural beauty of the planet, while at the same time showing how we need to preserve it.
The one downside to providing so many beauteous scenes in this story is that Kelsa and Raven spend much of the book traveling. Therefore the book unfortunately moves rather slowly, especially at the beginning. Towards the middle there are chase scenes and things pick up a bit, but I was never really invested in the movement of the story. I liked Kelsa, and I thought Raven was funny, but their journey just didn't stick with me. I wanted to believe in them, I wanted to root for them to succeed, but it seemed like I just couldn't get a foothold into their world. As soon as my interest was peaked, they'd be off traveling again and the book would slow down.
Despite the plot movement though, I would like to praise Hilari Bell for her seamless incorporation of a mix of magic, nature and Native American mythology. There was always just enough magic to make things interesting, but also a focus on the nature that surrounded that magic. A lot of what Raven mentions in the book ties into the beliefs that Native Americans held about the world around them. That nature itself is magic, we only have to look closely and learn to tap into it. I was quite happy with how that was shown to the reader.
Overall, as I mentioned above, I did like this book. I'm just sad that I didn't connect with it as much as I would have liked to. There are some very impressive elements wound up into Trickster's Girl however, and I do suggest that you give it a read. Pick it up from your local library, borrow a friend's copy, and take yourself on a journey.
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how I truly felt. What it came down to is simply that I liked this book. Liked it enough to finish it. Liked it yes. Loved it? No. I have to give credit to Hilari Bell for choosing such a fabulous backdrop for her story. As Kelsa travels with Raven as her companion, they drive through some stunning scenery. I really enjoyed how a lot of monuments and state parks are mentioned. Anyone who has ever visited these will automatically be able to transport themselves into that part of the story with Kelsa. Also, there is an underlying current here about taking care of our environment. Kelsa's mission is to repair something that we, as humans, have torn asunder with our careless nature. The entire book discusses the natural beauty of the planet, while at the same time showing how we need to preserve it.
The one downside to providing so many beauteous scenes in this story is that Kelsa and Raven spend much of the book traveling. Therefore the book unfortunately moves rather slowly, especially at the beginning. Towards the middle there are chase scenes and things pick up a bit, but I was never really invested in the movement of the story. I liked Kelsa, and I thought Raven was funny, but their journey just didn't stick with me. I wanted to believe in them, I wanted to root for them to succeed, but it seemed like I just couldn't get a foothold into their world. As soon as my interest was peaked, they'd be off traveling again and the book would slow down.
Despite the plot movement though, I would like to praise Hilari Bell for her seamless incorporation of a mix of magic, nature and Native American mythology. There was always just enough magic to make things interesting, but also a focus on the nature that surrounded that magic. A lot of what Raven mentions in the book ties into the beliefs that Native Americans held about the world around them. That nature itself is magic, we only have to look closely and learn to tap into it. I was quite happy with how that was shown to the reader.
Overall, as I mentioned above, I did like this book. I'm just sad that I didn't connect with it as much as I would have liked to. There are some very impressive elements wound up into Trickster's Girl however, and I do suggest that you give it a read. Pick it up from your local library, borrow a friend's copy, and take yourself on a journey.
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LibraryThing member BookSpot
It's a century after 9/11 and the world--or at the least the US--is now a mix of Big Brother with everything more secure and a science-y Jetsons with vehicles that 'fly.' People might have found a way to prevent murders and track everyone's whereabouts, but they haven't found a way to heal the
Yes, magic.
Kelsa's a teenager who understands the security of her world, but also that nothing can protect her from death. Her father has just died from cancer--a rising epidemic in society. It's just after his funeral when she's approached by an odd boy. He claims that the planet is dying--by human's doing--and that only magic, that he needs Kelsa's help with can save it.
Kelsa will have to travel far, far out of her comfort zone both to believe him and help him.
I went in to reading Trickster's Girl thinking it was going to be something other than what it was. I think I thought it was going to be more about the future, more of a dystopian novel where magic was a part of it. In a way, I suppose, that's what it was, but it also was not.
I actually found myself thinking quite a bit of the Buffy episode 'Pangs' while reading this (if anyone knows it, it's in Season Four, the one on Thanksgiving). **slight spoiler** There were shapeshifters in the book and there's a scene like that in the episode, too ;) The talk in the book of all the harm human's had caused the Earth reminded me of Willow's arguments in that episode, too. **end slight spoilers**
The beginning of the book was rather interesting, setting up some of the way the world worked in 2098 and how it was different from 2010 and how it was not. I also enjoyed meeting Kelsa and seeing how she was morning the loss of her father. (Not because it's enjoyable, but because it was well done and you also learned more about the society while learning about her grief.)
In the middle, things seemed to drag on for a little while. I understood what the characters were doing and why they were doing but it seemed to take a while for them to get from event from event. It also seemed like there was always something going wrong or side trips but not in a way that made things particularly interesting, but just for something else to do.
I was looking for more . . . ooomph with a lot of the book.
The ending was more enjoyable, again, than the middle and, as I believe this is a series--or at least has a sequel--I will read the next book, or at least give it a try, but I don't think I'll buy it.
**spoilers** This book is likely worth reading if only for the fact that it has shapeshifting Indian/Native American spirits in it. And things about ley lines and 'healing' the Earth after we humans have damaged it. I don't believe I've heard about or read any other books that have the same plot points. I think it could have been a stronger book, but it was unique and contained interesting and original (to YA fiction) ideas. **end spoilers**
(read thanks to NetGalley & the publisher)
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environmental troubles. In this new, sophisticated, advanced world, magic might be the only answer.Yes, magic.
Kelsa's a teenager who understands the security of her world, but also that nothing can protect her from death. Her father has just died from cancer--a rising epidemic in society. It's just after his funeral when she's approached by an odd boy. He claims that the planet is dying--by human's doing--and that only magic, that he needs Kelsa's help with can save it.
Kelsa will have to travel far, far out of her comfort zone both to believe him and help him.
I went in to reading Trickster's Girl thinking it was going to be something other than what it was. I think I thought it was going to be more about the future, more of a dystopian novel where magic was a part of it. In a way, I suppose, that's what it was, but it also was not.
I actually found myself thinking quite a bit of the Buffy episode 'Pangs' while reading this (if anyone knows it, it's in Season Four, the one on Thanksgiving). **slight spoiler** There were shapeshifters in the book and there's a scene like that in the episode, too ;) The talk in the book of all the harm human's had caused the Earth reminded me of Willow's arguments in that episode, too. **end slight spoilers**
The beginning of the book was rather interesting, setting up some of the way the world worked in 2098 and how it was different from 2010 and how it was not. I also enjoyed meeting Kelsa and seeing how she was morning the loss of her father. (Not because it's enjoyable, but because it was well done and you also learned more about the society while learning about her grief.)
In the middle, things seemed to drag on for a little while. I understood what the characters were doing and why they were doing but it seemed to take a while for them to get from event from event. It also seemed like there was always something going wrong or side trips but not in a way that made things particularly interesting, but just for something else to do.
I was looking for more . . . ooomph with a lot of the book.
The ending was more enjoyable, again, than the middle and, as I believe this is a series--or at least has a sequel--I will read the next book, or at least give it a try, but I don't think I'll buy it.
**spoilers** This book is likely worth reading if only for the fact that it has shapeshifting Indian/Native American spirits in it. And things about ley lines and 'healing' the Earth after we humans have damaged it. I don't believe I've heard about or read any other books that have the same plot points. I think it could have been a stronger book, but it was unique and contained interesting and original (to YA fiction) ideas. **end spoilers**
(read thanks to NetGalley & the publisher)
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LibraryThing member Danielle.Montgomery
In this futuristic book, Kelsa, with the help of Raven, must heal the ley lines that run through the different dimensions of the world while running from super naturals and a biker gang who are out to kill them both.
Humans have slowly destroyed the world over time, in effect hurting the ley line
Humans have slowly destroyed the world over time, in effect hurting the ley line
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magic. And because humans were the ones that harmed this magic, humans must also be the ones to fix it and so Raven finds Kelsa, a human girl who is open to the magic of the ley lines. Kelsa takes up the mantle of Atahalne's quest, the original Native American who started healing the ley lines and journeys from her home in the U.S. through the Canadian border in order to reach more ley lines and help heal the world. Show Less
LibraryThing member leftik
All the trees are dying and no one can find a cure for the plague affecting them. No one, it seems, except Raven - the mysterious boy who promises magic and world-wide cures to a grieving Kelsa. Kelsa, however, just wants to be left alone. She knows her father would have done anything to save the
On the whole, I enjoyed Trickster's Girl. The beginning was a little shaky, but the writing and plot evened out as the book continued. Bell also combined ancient mythologies with a near-future setting, which worked better in some places than others. At the beginning it was completely jarring, but by the end it evened out.
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dying trees, though, so she hesitatingly agrees to help Raven on his quest - even though she doesn't trust him.On the whole, I enjoyed Trickster's Girl. The beginning was a little shaky, but the writing and plot evened out as the book continued. Bell also combined ancient mythologies with a near-future setting, which worked better in some places than others. At the beginning it was completely jarring, but by the end it evened out.
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LibraryThing member A_Reader_of_Fictions
Trickster's Girl is not like the average young adult fantasy. For one thing, there's no romance. The whole book is very focused on the quest and on saving the environment. Although Raven is hot, he is demonstrably not human.
Similarly, Kelsa does not constantly rely on him to save her. She is no
The best part for me was the view into the future Bell has created here. The book is set a minimum of 85 years in the future, as Kelsa sees graffiti from 2094. America is, unsurprisingly, a bit different. There are some cool new technologies, like cars that hover a little bit off the ground and electric vehicles. On the converse side, there are numerous references to the damage to the environment done by humans, such as the bioplague wiping out the rainforest in South America. One really cool aspect is the description of how the new swear words developed, so watch for that. Also some dystopian elements, which I loved of course!
The quest itself is a neat idea, what with the environmental impact and all of that. Still, the way she healed the ley line was so incredibly lame. She would toss a pinch of dust and recite an incantation/ode to some element of nature: glaciers, trees, animals, etc. This does pay homage to the medicine man and perhaps resemble an Indian ritual of some sort (I confess that I do not know), but, either way, the incantations are super stupid. They just don't seem earth-changing.
The writing of the book was quite good, except for the aforementioned incantations and Bell's repetitiveness with regards to Kelsa's opinions of Raven. A sequel is in the works, currently titled Traitor's Son, for which I will be on the lookout.
Similarly, Kelsa does not constantly rely on him to save her. She is no
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Bella Swan, constantly tripping and needing to be carried. He saves her sometimes, but there are even more times where she saves herself or she saves him. I really loved that aspect of Trickster's Girl. Kelsa doesn't kick ass; she's a normal girl, but she can take care of herself. She makes a lot of the big decisions and reacts maturely to most of the situations in which she finds herself. Kelsa is, despite the running away from home to troop around a couple countries with a supernatural guy she barely knows, a fairly good role model.The best part for me was the view into the future Bell has created here. The book is set a minimum of 85 years in the future, as Kelsa sees graffiti from 2094. America is, unsurprisingly, a bit different. There are some cool new technologies, like cars that hover a little bit off the ground and electric vehicles. On the converse side, there are numerous references to the damage to the environment done by humans, such as the bioplague wiping out the rainforest in South America. One really cool aspect is the description of how the new swear words developed, so watch for that. Also some dystopian elements, which I loved of course!
The quest itself is a neat idea, what with the environmental impact and all of that. Still, the way she healed the ley line was so incredibly lame. She would toss a pinch of dust and recite an incantation/ode to some element of nature: glaciers, trees, animals, etc. This does pay homage to the medicine man and perhaps resemble an Indian ritual of some sort (I confess that I do not know), but, either way, the incantations are super stupid. They just don't seem earth-changing.
The writing of the book was quite good, except for the aforementioned incantations and Bell's repetitiveness with regards to Kelsa's opinions of Raven. A sequel is in the works, currently titled Traitor's Son, for which I will be on the lookout.
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LibraryThing member gmkieran
Doesn't have the depth of de Lint, but the characters are fun and interesting and the story is good.
LibraryThing member readingbeader
Kelsa, distraught from the death of her father, is incredulous when Raven, a shape shifting boy, shows up and tries to talk her into a quest to save the earth. She thinks she is hallucinating due to grief. But the opportunity to take a break from her mom, and mourn her father in her own way is too
I am guessing Trickster’s Girl is the first in a series, because the quest is not over at the end of the book, but Kelsa’s part in it seems to be. I didn’t like the end. Kelsa had grown and learned to accept her father’s death, dealing with her grieving fairly well, but she didn’t finish what she started—which is something she and her father always did. I’d invested in her and wanted to see the completion of the quest. The ending felt rough, as if the author had hit a page limit or deadline and needed to finish for publication. I wanted to be invested with Raven’s character, but Ms. Bell made sure that I remembered he isn’t human, with comments from him to reinforce that notion. If the afterword is to provide sympathy for Raven and make me want to know more about him—it doesn’t.
This novel is appropriate for middle school readers with its adventure and no real romance between Kelsa and Raven. It’s a bit heavy handed on the “stupid humans destroying the planet” message. I would have liked to have seen an addendum explaining some of the Native American mythology.
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much to resist, so she agrees and sets off on a quest that digs her deeper into trouble with every road she takes on her motorbike. I am guessing Trickster’s Girl is the first in a series, because the quest is not over at the end of the book, but Kelsa’s part in it seems to be. I didn’t like the end. Kelsa had grown and learned to accept her father’s death, dealing with her grieving fairly well, but she didn’t finish what she started—which is something she and her father always did. I’d invested in her and wanted to see the completion of the quest. The ending felt rough, as if the author had hit a page limit or deadline and needed to finish for publication. I wanted to be invested with Raven’s character, but Ms. Bell made sure that I remembered he isn’t human, with comments from him to reinforce that notion. If the afterword is to provide sympathy for Raven and make me want to know more about him—it doesn’t.
This novel is appropriate for middle school readers with its adventure and no real romance between Kelsa and Raven. It’s a bit heavy handed on the “stupid humans destroying the planet” message. I would have liked to have seen an addendum explaining some of the Native American mythology.
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LibraryThing member lexilewords
I enjoy Bell's "Farsala" books quite a bit and her "Knight and Rogue" books are on my TBR pile. She's the reason why I find pseudo political fantasies so engrossing in fact. Trickster's Girl however is not a fantasy. Its a futuristic, scifi, almost dystopian tale with magic. And a strong 'save the
Kelsa was a troubled, grief-stricken girl who felt lost without her father. She couldn't connect with her mother or younger brother; she felt betrayed by her mother for doing what Kelsa felt was the wrong thing when her father was dying and has felt inconsequential since. She has no outlet for her fears or worries so when Raven appears--well she doesn't jump at the chance to take a cross country trip with an enigmatic stranger talking about 'magic', but it offers her an escape she decides to take.
I liked that Bell didn't have Kelsa immediately agreeing to Raven's request, that Kelsa maintained a healthy wariness in regards to his claims and beliefs. And the small jab that girls seem to fall for the mysterious attractive guy on first sight was amusing. I was less keen on her notion that stealing her father's ashes to bury them elsewhere was a healthy response. I understood why she felt she should, but it still didn't seem like a healthy rationale.
Raven was amusing and cryptic and aggravating in only the way the Trickster God (of any mythology or religion) can be. Even though he was very serious about healing the ley lines and completing the mission, that didn't stop him from being frustrating. He had an air of arrogance that he wouldn't let go--even asking Kelsa for help made it seem like he was doing her a favor by asking. As you can imagine Kelsa, who was more of a control freak then I think she wanted to admit to, didn't take this well. The two of them sniping at each other makes the majority of their relationship.
There was no romance. Which I am glad for. Extremely glad for. If Kelsa had suddenly developed a crush on Raven, or if Raven (after chapters of critisizing her) suddenly professed love, I may have had to punch something. These two never get along, so much as learn to tolerate each other to get the job done. Mutual distrust, frustration with having to deal with each other and the problems of dealing with unknown variables made it hard for them to communicate or travel peacefully.
Here's the thing, while Kelsa and Raven amused me, I wasn't particularly fond of either one. On numerous occasions I found myself questioning just how sane Kelsa was (considering she jumped straight from her anger and grief over her father's death into this life or death struggle to save the world...). Raven, for all the fact that he liked humans moreso than some of his peers, seemed to have very little by way of patience.
There is no doubt in my mind that Bell created complex characters, with a vivid landscape and engaging plot. Unfortunately the book was almost preachy about how humankind has destroyed the earth. The environmentalist vibe was very strong in this book, which made it a bit much to bear at times.
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trees' message.Kelsa was a troubled, grief-stricken girl who felt lost without her father. She couldn't connect with her mother or younger brother; she felt betrayed by her mother for doing what Kelsa felt was the wrong thing when her father was dying and has felt inconsequential since. She has no outlet for her fears or worries so when Raven appears--well she doesn't jump at the chance to take a cross country trip with an enigmatic stranger talking about 'magic', but it offers her an escape she decides to take.
I liked that Bell didn't have Kelsa immediately agreeing to Raven's request, that Kelsa maintained a healthy wariness in regards to his claims and beliefs. And the small jab that girls seem to fall for the mysterious attractive guy on first sight was amusing. I was less keen on her notion that stealing her father's ashes to bury them elsewhere was a healthy response. I understood why she felt she should, but it still didn't seem like a healthy rationale.
Raven was amusing and cryptic and aggravating in only the way the Trickster God (of any mythology or religion) can be. Even though he was very serious about healing the ley lines and completing the mission, that didn't stop him from being frustrating. He had an air of arrogance that he wouldn't let go--even asking Kelsa for help made it seem like he was doing her a favor by asking. As you can imagine Kelsa, who was more of a control freak then I think she wanted to admit to, didn't take this well. The two of them sniping at each other makes the majority of their relationship.
There was no romance. Which I am glad for. Extremely glad for. If Kelsa had suddenly developed a crush on Raven, or if Raven (after chapters of critisizing her) suddenly professed love, I may have had to punch something. These two never get along, so much as learn to tolerate each other to get the job done. Mutual distrust, frustration with having to deal with each other and the problems of dealing with unknown variables made it hard for them to communicate or travel peacefully.
Here's the thing, while Kelsa and Raven amused me, I wasn't particularly fond of either one. On numerous occasions I found myself questioning just how sane Kelsa was (considering she jumped straight from her anger and grief over her father's death into this life or death struggle to save the world...). Raven, for all the fact that he liked humans moreso than some of his peers, seemed to have very little by way of patience.
There is no doubt in my mind that Bell created complex characters, with a vivid landscape and engaging plot. Unfortunately the book was almost preachy about how humankind has destroyed the earth. The environmentalist vibe was very strong in this book, which made it a bit much to bear at times.
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Physical description
288 p.; 8.92 inches
ISBN
0547196202 / 9780547196206
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