Jennifer M. (Kaydence) reviewed on + 380 more book reviews
Summary:
Drina is half gypsy and half Spanish. She doesn't know exactly where she belongs, and when a tragedy strikes she is even more unsure of her standings. She ends up meeting her father's family and begins to dig up what her heritage is.
My thoughts:
While I was drawn to this book based off of Drina's need to dance, and her training in that as she meets her father's family, I felt like it was more of a cultural look at what was happening within the Spanish Civil War and the places that Drina goes. I think that the culture that Drina learns is definitely the highlight of this book. The reader is sent back in time to this era of unrest. Each setting is thoroughly described and the tensions that are surrounding that area come into focus. The rules of flamenco are also discussed as part of Drina's training, but I didn't feel like they overshadowed the general tension around the whole book. Then of course, Drina is growing up and figuring out who she is. There just isn't a huge amount of action, so be aware of a very history oriented fiction without a lot of independent/unexpected plot elements.
Drina is half gypsy and half Spanish. She doesn't know exactly where she belongs, and when a tragedy strikes she is even more unsure of her standings. She ends up meeting her father's family and begins to dig up what her heritage is.
My thoughts:
While I was drawn to this book based off of Drina's need to dance, and her training in that as she meets her father's family, I felt like it was more of a cultural look at what was happening within the Spanish Civil War and the places that Drina goes. I think that the culture that Drina learns is definitely the highlight of this book. The reader is sent back in time to this era of unrest. Each setting is thoroughly described and the tensions that are surrounding that area come into focus. The rules of flamenco are also discussed as part of Drina's training, but I didn't feel like they overshadowed the general tension around the whole book. Then of course, Drina is growing up and figuring out who she is. There just isn't a huge amount of action, so be aware of a very history oriented fiction without a lot of independent/unexpected plot elements.
