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A review by literaryintersections
The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have to be honest. This book was tough. I almost didn't finish but I had to continue. I think the good is that it is the first indigenous romance trad published and the incorporation of Native American, Cherokee, and Chicksaw culture was really beautiful to see - plus the way that Danica incorporated real lie frustrations like marginalization, racism against Native people, missing and murdered indigenous women, and bias was wonderful.
Unfortunately, the main character is horrible. She lies for literally no reason. Her entire basis for this book, that Ember has to lie on her application because she isn't getting jobs because she is Native is, although true in real life not true in this case. She literally doesn't have the degree needed for the job. It feels like a minimization of the real life bias - Ember could have had an associates and still not be getting jobs and I would be like "yup makes sense" but she is actually not qualified? So it's not even about her checking the "white" box, it's more that there was actual reason why she wasn't getting interviews. The lie about the cats, the lie about where she lived like how could Danuwoa STAND HER? Idk she is a red flag if I have ever heard one and I struggled with her so badly. I understand her lying came out of her being abandoned and feeling like she had to lie for people to love her.... but I think that needed to be fleshed out more AND addressed more.
Now Danuwoa? He was the real deal. The whole Native Daddy thing seemed ACCURATE and I loved him.
Overall I would read more of Danica's books but this was a frustrating miss for me.
Unfortunately, the main character is horrible. She lies for literally no reason. Her entire basis for this book, that Ember has to lie on her application because she isn't getting jobs because she is Native is, although true in real life not true in this case. She literally doesn't have the degree needed for the job. It feels like a minimization of the real life bias - Ember could have had an associates and still not be getting jobs and I would be like "yup makes sense" but she is actually not qualified? So it's not even about her checking the "white" box, it's more that there was actual reason why she wasn't getting interviews. The lie about the cats, the lie about where she lived like how could Danuwoa STAND HER? Idk she is a red flag if I have ever heard one and I struggled with her so badly. I understand her lying came out of her being abandoned and feeling like she had to lie for people to love her.... but I think that needed to be fleshed out more AND addressed more.
Now Danuwoa? He was the real deal. The whole Native Daddy thing seemed ACCURATE and I loved him.
Overall I would read more of Danica's books but this was a frustrating miss for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Racism