Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo

30 reviews

smiti_nathan's review

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

3.75 stars & rounding up

This book was enjoyable as an audiobook. I thought the narration was fantastic. The plot felt slow-moving at times, so the audiobook helped with the pacing. There were parts of the characters' motivations and backgrounds that I would have loved to be more developed (e.g., a bit more background about Darwin and how his upbringing relates to grave work). My favorite part of the book was the dialogue between Yejide and Darwin. I felt that was written so well. I also appreciated getting a sense of place in this novel. The descriptions of Fidelis and Port Angeles really transported me there and I've never been to Trinidad and Tobago. Looking forward to more from the author
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amanda_marie's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Such an interesting book and premise. Such a unique and interesting story. It gives me practical magic vibes but with a story that is entirely Trinidadian. Each element, especially the narrative style, is a bold choice that immerses the reader further into the world. 
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catalyst226's review

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dark emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This author has a such a deft touch for atmosphere with her writing. The book was fairly slow-paced and really set up for the intensity at the end of the plot. I really loved the discussions of grief, family, love, and duty. It is set in Trinidad & Tobago, and written with the accent. I highly recommend the audiobook for the talented narration by both voices.
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loristoudenmier's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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fluffy1st's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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kyra_joy's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Took me a bit to getting into the rhythm of the writing but once I did, I fell in love with the characters and the world. Beautiful story, and I love stories that talk about folklore or cultural tales from other places so this was a perfect read. It’s a perfect mix of the supernatural/spiritual and the real world. 
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auudrey's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • 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

3.25

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neevechristine's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I really struggled to read this before bed! lovely sentiment, took a while to get settled in. Not my usual genre so I found quite eerie and disturbing for me as I’m sensitive 
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jayisreading's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious medium-paced

3.75

Knowing very little about Trinidad and Tobago, When We Were Birds was a delight to read to learn more about Trinidadian culture. There’s beautiful prose and a wonderful rhythm in Banwo’s storytelling that pulls you into the novel, the use of Trinidadian English further immersing you. Centering the living’s relationship with death through Yejide and Darwin, we also discover the prevalence of complex love in death, especially in one’s relationships.

I have to admit, as beautifully written as this book was, the pacing was kind of all over the place for me, with the beginning being a little too slow and the ending a bit fast. In addition, I would have loved Yejide’s character to be fleshed out more; it felt as though Banwo spent far more time with Darwin that we have a better sense of who he is. (I must also confess, I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I was in a better headspace, but I had to return the book soon…)

This was a wonderful debut novel, though, and I really look forward to what more Banwo has in store for her readers.
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rhi_'s review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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