Shot Blue by Jesse Rudock is a great book. It features Tristan, a young boy growing up in the lonely, rustic north without any family. This book takes place on a mainly uninhabited lake in the wild.

The characters are beautifully drawn. Their personalities and flaws are nuanced and rich in an amazing way; each page reveals a different aspect of them. The descriptions in this book are amazing; the choice of words sing together to create an orchestra of beauty. The sentences aren't flowery, overwhelming and confusing as descriptions can often be. Jesse Ruddock can spin anything into something beautiful, and just as easily make that same thing appear wholeheartedly despicable. The book has good pace and interesting developments that keep you curious and wanting more.

Even though this book has many positive aspects that make it an enjoyable read, there are also some things that make it confusing and sometimes frustrating to read. Even though the characters themselves are awesome, their relationships to each other and the book’s plot are hard to understand. The plot is not well defined, so even though there is good action, the events seem meaningless and sometimes boring. The ending is unsatisfying and the book does not conclude the way a book should. There are numerous well-defined characters who have grown throughout the novel but who don’t seem important to the plot and Tristan’s storyline. Their imperfections and souls are gorgeous, but they don't seem to be used in the right way.

In this book there is no context; the history of the lake and Tristan’s family were never explained, and you never even know what country the book is set in or in what time period! I believe it takes place sometime before electricity was invented and Canada was fully settled, but specific things are never mentioned in the book.

One thing about this book I know for sure:  it is heart-wrenchingly sad. Do not read this book if you want a light, happy read. Be prepared to think hard about themes and feel the ache of disappointment and grief flood through your heart. I am still thinking about Tristan and all the other characters in the book. Although it has flaws, this book is still excellent and does what any good book should:  it left me wanting a little bit more and thinking a little harder about myself and this world.