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A review by mxhermit
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
4.0
Representation: Queer Black Plus-size MC, diverse side & background characters
Content Warning: Fatphobic comment by a side character
Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends. Every year they meet up at DeKnock's World Famous Pumpkin Patch & Autumn Jamboree. Throughout the last four years, they've bonded over succotash & their seasonal friendship.
But this year, their last: will Josie get to talk to hs crush, Marcy the Fudge Girl? Will Deja get to sample any of the fabulous snacks around the Pumpkin Patch? Or will bad timing, a snack thief, a runaway possibly murderous goat, and their own feelings make this a disappointing close to their time at DeKnock's?
What I Enjoyed
The setting! As someone who has literally grown up across from a farm (though not one quite as invested in the season as DeKnock's), I really felt at home with this book. The attractions, the snacks, the decorations. <3
The art style. Faith Erin Hicks brought a sense of whimsy to this story with not only her art style, but the colors that she chose to embody the wonderful things within.
Deja's determination. Whether it was bolstering her friend Josie, her sense of justice against a thief, or sampling the best that DeKnock's has to offer on what is possibly her last night there, Deja was my favorite (human) character.
Buck. A background character who is a temperamental ram. You really feel a lot for him based on the actions he takes as Deja and Josie are walking around the pumpkin patch. He suffers no fools, especially in the closer. lol
Josie & Deja's friendship, even with the quirk that I didn't understand (covered in the next section), was one that was pretty strong. They bonded together, supported each other, even defended each other.
What I Didn't Enjoy
I didn't quite understand why Josie and Deja were only seasonal friends. From everything we're given of their friendship at DeKnock's, it's a strong friendship. So, why don't they talk at all during the rest of the year? The most that Josie says is that he assumes Deja has winter-spring-summer friends. That felt weak to me, like maybe the author didn't want to deal with it?
To Sum It Up
Pumpkinheads really embraces the feel of autumn, with all the activities within a sizeable pumpkin patch and the snacks that can accompany it. There's adventure sprinkled in that adds to the feel good atmosphere. While I'm reading it around the time of year that it takes place in the book, I think picking up Pumpkinheads any time of year would be enough to conjure up the scent of pumpkin spice, sugary popcorn, & s'mores, bringing you back to one of the best times of year, with a comfortable story to boot.
Content Warning: Fatphobic comment by a side character
Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends. Every year they meet up at DeKnock's World Famous Pumpkin Patch & Autumn Jamboree. Throughout the last four years, they've bonded over succotash & their seasonal friendship.
But this year, their last: will Josie get to talk to hs crush, Marcy the Fudge Girl? Will Deja get to sample any of the fabulous snacks around the Pumpkin Patch? Or will bad timing, a snack thief, a runaway possibly murderous goat, and their own feelings make this a disappointing close to their time at DeKnock's?
What I Enjoyed
The setting! As someone who has literally grown up across from a farm (though not one quite as invested in the season as DeKnock's), I really felt at home with this book. The attractions, the snacks, the decorations. <3
The art style. Faith Erin Hicks brought a sense of whimsy to this story with not only her art style, but the colors that she chose to embody the wonderful things within.
Deja's determination. Whether it was bolstering her friend Josie, her sense of justice against a thief, or sampling the best that DeKnock's has to offer on what is possibly her last night there, Deja was my favorite (human) character.
Buck. A background character who is a temperamental ram. You really feel a lot for him based on the actions he takes as Deja and Josie are walking around the pumpkin patch. He suffers no fools, especially in the closer. lol
Josie & Deja's friendship, even with the quirk that I didn't understand (covered in the next section), was one that was pretty strong. They bonded together, supported each other, even defended each other.
What I Didn't Enjoy
I didn't quite understand why Josie and Deja were only seasonal friends. From everything we're given of their friendship at DeKnock's, it's a strong friendship. So, why don't they talk at all during the rest of the year? The most that Josie says is that he assumes Deja has winter-spring-summer friends. That felt weak to me, like maybe the author didn't want to deal with it?
To Sum It Up
Pumpkinheads really embraces the feel of autumn, with all the activities within a sizeable pumpkin patch and the snacks that can accompany it. There's adventure sprinkled in that adds to the feel good atmosphere. While I'm reading it around the time of year that it takes place in the book, I think picking up Pumpkinheads any time of year would be enough to conjure up the scent of pumpkin spice, sugary popcorn, & s'mores, bringing you back to one of the best times of year, with a comfortable story to boot.