skygiants

I forgot you had read this book until I saw it on your 2021 list.

> there's very little background scene-setting exposition and supernatural elements simply show up when they become relevant to the story, which allows the book to move without getting bogged down in its own mythology

I read this book recently and yes, this is the thing I was trying to articulate. (I said in my GR writeup, "The fantasy elements are nicely woven into the fabric of the book. They're definitely important to the book, but it also doesn't feel like A Fantasy Book.")

> Also, by now I as many others probably have read many variants on 'immigrants bring their magic backstories to America byyyy which I mean I want to talk about fairies mostly' and it is extremely pleasant to read a version that's written by a Native author who is able to center Native stories and then pick and choose whatever else she wants to throw in for fun.

Ooh, such a good point.

> "if a Native person uninvites a vampire from their traditional lands they HAVE TO GO" is the best play on the invite-only nature of vampires I've seen in years.

SO GOOD!

> Throughout the story, Ellie receives help from: [...] her parents, who occasionally institute a temporary necromancy ban until Ellie can talk to a mentor but are overall extremely supportive [...]

I really appreciated that her parents believe and support her -- and that Ellie mostly communicates with them and with other people. In ways that felt realistic, but so grateful to avoid the, "People don't talk to each other and/or believe people they're close to -- because the plot demands it..."

And yeah, I agree with other commenters that it felt more MG than YA to me.