Each of Us a Desert

Mark Oshiro

2020 • 432 pages

Ratings4

Average rating3

From award-winning author Mark Oshiro comes a powerful coming-of-age fantasy novel about finding home and falling in love amidst the dangers of a desert where stories come to life Xochitl is destined to wander the desert alone, speaking her troubled village's stories into its arid winds. Her only companions are the blessed stars above and enigmatic lines of poetry magically strewn across dusty dunes. Her one desire: to share her heart with a kindred spirit. One night, Xo's wish is granted—in the form of Emilia, the cold and beautiful daughter of the town's murderous conqueror. But when the two set out on a magical journey across the desert, they find their hearts could be a match... if only they can survive the nightmare-like terrors that arise when the sun goes down. Fresh off of Anger Is a Gift's smashing success, Oshiro branches out into a fantastical direction with their new YA novel, Each of Us a Desert. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

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mari

well ok. one of my favorite books ever. don't touch me i'm emotional that i'll never get to experience the first read of this book again.

what a beautiful story that had many stories within it. i loved the main character's voice, one so reliant on the known but also craving an escape from the life she's been given. the idea of taking other people's stories, filled with their mistakes and lies and atrocities, to give to a god for forgiveness and protection was beautifully executed and absolutely moving. the stories xochitl receives throughout the books are sure to stay with me for some time.

i can see where the writing style doesn't work for some, especially with the use of spanish for certain terms and the very classic fairy tale-esque prose. but i loved it. i was enchanted by this book from the first page, its magical story nearly impossible to put down. i am so sad it's over, but so happy to have gotten to know it.

December 13, 2020

Chris or Cooper

I made it 65% of the way done, but I could not finish this. I really loved the first 100 pages! It was such an interesting world and I loved the framing narrative of everything told in a prayer to the god of this story. I appreciated the religion the author developed.
After page 100 it fell flat for me. I think the decision to richly establish side characters and then abandon them for far more poorly drawn side characters was strange. It was hard to feel connected to the new side characters as quickly as the story required. I felt the same way about the establishment and very quick removal of one of the major antagonists. It was such a strange choice. The book felt split into two parts in a way that really left it hard to engage with the second half.
The writing of women in this book was fairly uneven. I didn't love how often the main characters period came up, again it seemed another strange choice.
The main thing was that the plot after about 100 pages in seemed to meander in a way that didn't make sense. A lot of the moments that should be tense felt lacking in tensions.
Honestly, there was a lot of really good and interesting ideas, but some plotting choices and pacing issues that detracted too much for it to work for me.

May 18, 2020