Review by CheyenneR -- Ironbark Hill by Jennie Linnane

This forum is for volunteer reviews by members of our review team. These reviews are done voluntarily by the reviewers and are published in this forum, separate from the official professional reviews. These reviews are kept separate primarily because the same book may be reviewed by many different reviewers.
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
Post Reply
User avatar
CheyenneR
Posts: 179
Joined: 11 Feb 2018, 23:37
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 21
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cheyenner.html
Latest Review: World, Incorporated by Tom Gariffo

Review by CheyenneR -- Ironbark Hill by Jennie Linnane

Post by CheyenneR »

[Following is a volunteer review of "Ironbark Hill" by Jennie Linnane.]
Book Cover
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


Wow! Ironbark Hill by Jennie Linnane is a truly great book. I was highly surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. The story centers on Natalie, a quarter aboriginal teenager living with her mother, brother, two younger sisters, grandfather, and alcoholic stepfather. The book follows Natalie through her daily life dealing with the pressure coming from being a good role model for her siblings, being a supportive daughter to her mother, and her job cleaning the house of a husband and wife that live in the same town.

Natalie has her fair share of trials and tribulations to deal with, these include some glaring racism from people around her and the hormonal struggles of a girl who is coming of age. One thing that stood out to me was how well the author described the scenery. While it's not nearly as important as the life of Natalie and her family, it sets the reader up for an amazing journey through her hometown and all the people that live there. Linnane has a talent for using perfectly described scenery to help the reader feel every emotion Natalie is going through in any chapter.

While Natalie is dealing with several troubles in her life, it doesn't feel like too many problems. Each one is dealt with in time and some things that other people might consider a problem don’t appear to be so to Natalie. Each problem is given a clear solution by the time you finish reading the book and this just adds to the satisfaction of finishing the novel.

The book offers a rollercoaster of emotions and while I found myself laughing in one chapter, the next I was ready to put the book down until I could read it without being so mad. In my opinion, this is the trademark of a great book. I felt connected to most of the characters. Even if I didn’t agree with the way certain people handle certain situations, I could find something relatable to most of them. By the time I read the last sentence, it was almost cathartic.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Linnane is a great storyteller and she paints each chapter beautifully for the reader to enjoy. The characters are, for the most part, enjoyable and even those that aren't at least have substance and you can see a fully fleshed character as opposed to a typical flat villain. There is only one mistake that I could find, and it is simply a matter of kindle formatting. I usually prefer mystery/thriller novels but decided to give this book a chance and I'm so glad that I did. Because of this, I would recommend this book to anyone who comes across it.

******
Ironbark Hill
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like CheyenneR's review? Post a comment saying so!
User avatar
Charine
Posts: 91
Joined: 06 May 2017, 07:38
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 477
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-charine.html
Latest Review: Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole

Post by Charine »

Thank you for your upbeat review! Now I have to add this novel to my TBR list even though I don't like the cover.
"You forget what you want to remember, and you remember what you want to forget."
- Cormac McCarthy
User avatar
Brittany J
Posts: 85
Joined: 23 May 2018, 05:52
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 24
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-brittany-j.html
Latest Review: Final Notice by Van Fleisher

Post by Brittany J »

This is a great review! I agree that a book should invoke strong emotions. I will have to add this to my list.
User avatar
juclowd
Posts: 1
Joined: 17 Jun 2018, 07:22
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by juclowd »

I like the rollercoaster emotions. That should define a good book
User avatar
joycechitwa
Posts: 347
Joined: 18 Jun 2018, 08:53
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 21
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-joycechitwa.html
Latest Review: Chrome Mountain by Ben Schneider

Post by joycechitwa »

Your review makes me want to get the book immediately! The protagonist is a woman, and she successfully manages to overcome adversity. Just the kind of narrative to totally draw me in. Besides, I love a book set in the faraway land down under. Thanks!
Post Reply

Return to “Volunteer Reviews”