Review: The Earth Painter

The Earth Painter by Melissa Turner Lee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, this is a completely original mythos – one I’ve never encountered before at least. The title of this book didn’t really have me jumping up to start it. The Earth Painter conjured up images of some sort of abstract hippy artwork or something. Whatever I was thinking, this book was not that. I was shocked in a good way! Holly is an independent high schooler who has just moved to a new town (as most YA books begin). That’s about where the similarities to other books end. Holly sees Theo in her drama class and the real good stuff begins. Theo is the dreamy love interest in this story, even though he is something completely different.

Holly and Theo’s interaction was great and frustrating and awesome all at the same time. Watching Holly and her parents was also something gritty and completely not expected. With all the twists and turns along the way, I was constantly rooting for poor Holly to really set everyone in her life straight! I hoped for good things between her and Theo, I hoped for her mother to grow up, I hoped for the well to get saved, and, well, I guess this book really broke me a little bit. I had such hope for a happily ever after ending with hearts and rainbows and unicorns. This book doesn’t give you that. Not at all! The girl that voted for hearts and rainbows and unicorns was completely crushed. The avid reader who likes surprises was pleasantly surprised by a book that broke away from all her preconceived notions.

This book was a smidge away from 5 stars for me. If it just gave me a teensy bit more happiness or resolution, it would be at 5 stars. Right now it’s hovering around 4.5 stars. Maybe if the next book gives me warm fuzzies in one way or another (or more resolution), this book would look like it had less of a bummer ending. Either way, this was a completely original and exciting start to a new series that I’m already hooked on!




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