Sorrow's Knot by Erin Bow is a fantasy novel that delves into a society where the dead are bound by knotted cords to prevent them from turning into evil spirits that infect the living. The story follows Otter, a young Binder who must unravel the mystery behind the failing bindings. The book intricately weaves Native American elements into its world-building, emphasizing storytelling as a form of defense against the malevolent dead. The plot unfolds slowly in the first half, setting up the world and characters, but gains momentum as Otter, along with her friends Kestral and Cricket, embarks on a perilous adventure to confront the source of the unraveling bindings.

Characters:

The characters are well-crafted, with depth and realness, showcasing various strengths and vulnerabilities.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is beautifully written and immersive, with detailed descriptions enhancing the reader's experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot involves a young Binder named Otter who must solve issues related to binding the dead while navigating friendship and the weight of responsibility.

Setting:

The setting blends elements of Indigenous cultures with a fantastical society focused on binding the dead.

Pacing:

Pacing starts off slow, especially in the first half, but gains momentum and becomes engaging in the latter parts.

Notes:

The book is beautifully written with wonderful descriptions.

The friendship between the main characters Otter, Kestral, and Cricket is a highlight.

The first half of the book has a slow pace, but it picks up significantly after the first 100-150 pages.

Readers compared the author Erin Bow's work positively to Laini Taylor and Victoria Schwab.

The story involves a society that uses knotted cords to bind the dead to prevent them from causing harm to the living.

Otter, the main character, aspires to follow in her mother's footsteps as a Binder but faces challenges.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, especially the strong female leads.

Storytelling plays a crucial role in calming evil spirits called the White Hands.

The second half of the book is much more engaging and adventurous than the first half.

Readers found the world-building to be immersive and captivating.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Sorrow's Knot include themes of death, grief, and possible emotional distress related to the supernatural elements in the narrative.

From The Publisher:

Winner of the 2014 Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy, from the author of Plain Kate .

At the very edge of the world live the Shadowed People. And with them live the dead.There, in the village of Westmost, Otter is born to power. She is the proud daughter of Willow, the greatest binder of the dead in generations. It will be Otter's job someday to tie the knots of the ward, the only thing that keeps the living safe.Kestrel is training to be a ranger, one of the brave women who venture into the forest to gather whatever the Shadowed People can't live without and to fight off whatever dark threat might slip through the ward's defenses.And Cricket wants to be a storyteller - already he shows the knack, the ear - and already he knows dangerous secrets. But something is very wrong at the edge of the world. Willow's power seems to be turning inside out. The ward is in danger of falling. And lurking in the shadows, hungry, is a White Hand, the most dangerous of the dead, whose very touch means madness, and worse.Suspenseful, eerie, and beautifully imagined.

October 2013

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368 pages

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Sorrow's Knot

Erin Bow

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