We Ride Upon Sticks
2020 • 367 pages
Ratings19
Average rating4.1
15
Ratings19
Average rating4.1
In the town of Danvers, Massachusetts, home of the original 1692 witch trials, the 1989 Danvers Falcons will do anything to make it to the state finals—even if it means tapping into some devilishly dark powers. Against a background of irresistible 1980s iconography, Quan Barry expertly weaves together the individual and collective progress of this enchanted team as they storm their way through an unforgettable season. Helmed by good-girl captain Abby Putnam (a descendant of the infamous Salem accuser Ann Putnam) and her co-captain Jen Fiorenza (whose bleached blond “Claw” sees and knows all), the Falcons prove to be wily, original, and bold, flaunting society’s stale notions of femininity. Through the crucible of team sport and, more importantly, friendship, this comic tour de female force chronicles Barry’s glorious cast of characters as they charge past every obstacle on the path to finding their glorious true selves.
Reviews with the most likes.
3.5 stars rounded up. This was a fun read, although I did keep forgetting who was who with the large amount of characters, but I don't think it really made a difference. I think the premise was good, but I don't think the plot stuck to the premise very closely and I wish it would have brought in more of the witchiness. The conclusion was a bit of a jolt to the system, I was thinking I had accidentally skipped some pages and missed something, but it came back around in the end. I am trying not to spoil anything so this is a pretty vague review, but I liked the book and would read more from the author although I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to most people.
Wow. What started out as a book I thought I would DNF because...well...sports. Turned out to be one of the best explorations of friendship and identity that I've ever read, and the final chapter is a chefs kiss of an epilogue.
