Where the Crawdads Sing

Autumn leaves don't fall; they fly. They take their time and wander on this, their only chance to soar. Reflecting sunlight, they swirled and sailed and fluttered on the wind drafts.Now, before I get into it, I saw a few people hating on this book because of Tate and Kya's relationship. Yes, Tate was 19 when Kya was 15. Yes, they almost got intimate with each other. But 1. they didn't and 2. it's part of the story...Rating this book one or two stars because of the “age gap” is honestly reaching. It's part of the plot, it was supposed to happen like that, that doesn't mean the author is glamorizing these types of relationships. Honestly, your guys' performative activism is showing. I understand how weird it is, but you guys like to criticize books because of their social issues and talk about how it shouldn't have been added because it's problematic without realizing it's supposed to be teaching you something or that it's simply for the plot, not because the author believes in those ideologies.Ted Talk = over. [b:Where the Crawdads Sing 36809135 Where the Crawdads Sing Delia Owens https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582135294l/36809135.SY75.jpg 58589364] is about Kya and her ways of surviving on her own in the marsh. It's a beautiful story with beautiful characters and morals. The writing was simple but still different in its own way. Delia Owens' way of describing the marsh and all of the surrounding nature left me wanting more. Normally, a story with too much information like that would've bored me, but I actually found myself enjoying it. Since I just started getting back into reading in January, I haven't read many books and experienced different characters. But this book made the characters feel real and I actually felt something for them. I experienced what they were feeling in their moments and genuinely felt emotions when things didn't go as planned. SPOILERS UNDER ↓Tate and Kya began their friendship when he taught her how to read. Of course, she didn't trust him at first because she had never really spoken to anyone, but as they grew closer and began bonding over their love and knowledge for the marsh, she began to open her heart up. They spent a lot of time together, mostly him teaching her how to read and gifting her books. But then the both of them began to share special feelings. Tate is unbelievably sweet. He cares a lot about Kya and it shows. But then Tate has to move away to college. Kya is heartbroken. He promises to visit when he has the time. He doesn't. Kya tells herself never to love anyone or trust anyone ever again.And Chase Andrews comes into the picture. To be honest, I don't know why Kya agreed to go on a date with him when she knows he's a jock and a player. But he acts sweet to her and she seems to think that's normal. It isn't. He tries to get with her on their first date. She doesn't want to. Then he asks her for a second chance because he actually likes her and she... believes him. Ok. I'm not going to recite the whole plot because that's boring... Chase and Kya begin a relationship are together for quite a long time. He brings up marriage. She's happy. Then she's sad because all along, Chase was dating someone else and is getting married to that someone else. Kya is heartbroken once again. OMG! And then one day he dies! Oh no... they think she did it. Did she? (Idk because the author didn't make it clear and then she wrote that part but I still don't know if she did it)Blah blah blah court is boring but guess what...A HAPPY ENDING WITH TATE ♡The End.