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alrightcalv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Death
kobooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Slavery
shaynicole's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Violence, Death of parent, and Death
rieviolet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
It is told in a dual POV and I have to admit I was particularly drawn to Darwin's chapters (compared to the ones in Yejide's perspective). His narrative voice is just so strong and captivating, it was honestly beautiful to witness his character development.
The writing is very atmospheric and the author does a great job of building and breathing life into the spaces that these characters inhabit.
I didn't like a short segment in Yejide's POV where the writing got a bit too experimental for my liking, it felt too fragmented and stream of consciousness-like. Also, I would have liked a bit more of exploration into Yejide's character and the gift connected to her lineage.
However, these are minor grievances, overall I really enjoyed the reading experience and I look forward to Ayanna Lloyd Banwo's future projects.
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Blood, Slavery, Bullying, and Body horror
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, Sexism, Drug use, Cursing, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, Child death, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Torture
erebus53's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
When I first started it I found it a little unwieldy to get into. The style is lyrical and it is all about setting and the vibe of Trinidad, with its flowers and birds, hot weather and old wooden houses, family and food. Amongst this we have a sense of the expectations our mothers put upon us, and the sense of abandonment harboured when our parents do not live up to our hopes. RIght in with all this is mystical dream walking, and haunting, and legends of older times.
There is a sense of finding one's place, and the ending of the story is both unearthly and also satisfying. Gave me my first tears for the new year, but I'm not complaining!
Graphic: Grief, Violence, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Alcohol and Drug use
ameliasbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This story got me, maybe because I am interested as much in burial rites in other countries as I am in cemeteries and because I like ghost stories.
I wasn't that much interested in the love story, but into each of the main characters life story.
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol and Grief
rokinjaguar's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment and Cursing
Minor: Child death, Bullying, and Slavery
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Violence
bessadams's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Physical abuse
verysillygoose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: Slavery