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dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Murder
Moderate: Incest, Sexual content
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow, just wow. Once in a life time books. I hope they study this, I’m sure they will. Had such an intense feeling of déjà vu, when reading this. Very spiritual about stories- should I tell Morgan about this book? Yeah I’m probably going to. “We have such raw power to tell our own story.” changed how I view the world. I didn’t find the switches confusing, sometimes we just don’t know a whole story and we never will. Like the story of how Keema lost his arm, “believe whatever lie you want.” And when the pieces do fit into place it made me gasp and sit on the edge of my seat. Was I lost for the first 50 % yes. Did I need to read lots of summaries? Yes. Was it low stakes? Yes. But sometimes it just be goofy. Maybe the story doesn’t make sense, what important is that it’s told at all. I was trying to figure out so the moon is mom and wife? Ewwwwwwww. But I’m sure myths did that before. Kronos did that. Eating people?? Ewwwww. But hey not every part is right.not every part is nice. Not every part makes sense. And that’s the point. Loved this book so much! Lessons I have learned will live on in my spiritual life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cannibalism
Minor: Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Gore, Incest, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Murder
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug use, Incest, Suicide, Torture, Cannibalism
Minor: Rape
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
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:
Complicated
A really original and beautifully told story. The structure takes some getting used to but it's ultimately worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Gore, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Incest, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Extraordinarily written, the writer pulls no punches and weaves the story beautifully, my only issue is that while I understand the writer's dedication to leaving in lots of graphic or difficult scenes, I felt that towards the middle of the book it became a little too bogged down in the gore for me to easily recommend it without so warnings
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Cannibalism, War
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Gore, Incest, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, War
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Cannibalism
Moderate: Incest, Excrement, Vomit
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
(Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
Spoiler Free Summary: “You” are pulled out of your day to day world and into the Inverted Theater, carrying only memories of your lola’s stories, and a spear that has been passed down for generations. The show? The 5 day journey of Keema of the Daware Tribe and Jun the Red Peacock as they cross the country carrying precious cargo and running from the Terrors of a crumbling empire. Along the way, they must contend with a magic like they’ve never seen before, talking telepathic tortoises, the unbearable pressure of family and legacy, and the very Rhythm of the World itself.
Where do I even start with this book?
First of all, I loved it. The book takes its reader through dreams, into a magical theater, across countries, into the spirit world and out again. It spans lifetimes but also only five days. It’s language is lyrical and poetic but also incredibly blunt, gory, and gruesome. Its genre bending in its style, use of multiple perspectives and constant shifting through time and space, but also solidly Epic Fantasy in nature. And I was hooked with every page. The characters are tragic but joyful through so many terrible things that happen to them. It is a love story.
However, it may not be for everyone! That isn’t even necessarily a bad thing; this book knows who it’s ideal audience is. The “chapters” read more like sections or Books within the book itself. If you are the kind of reader who likes to finish a chapter before setting the book down, be prepared for long stretches of reading. The story itself is intricate and can sometimes be confusing! Because the point of view can change at a moments notice between paragraphs (and even sometimes in the middle of a sentence), it took me a moment to settle into the writing while also paying attention to who’s thought I was hearing. After the first fourth of the book however, it became natural to hear the important passing thoughts of those our main character pass during their journey—it fleshed out the world and made every experience in the Smiling Sun’s empire all the more real. That being said, definitely confusing at times!
Overall, this book touched me deeply. I admit to crying at least twice while reading this book. The themes of family, legacy, redemption, and love were poignant and left me thinking every time I managed to put the book down. If you are looking for a rollercoaster of a book that will never go the direction you think it will, I highly recommend this upcoming release!!
Spoiler Free Summary: “You” are pulled out of your day to day world and into the Inverted Theater, carrying only memories of your lola’s stories, and a spear that has been passed down for generations. The show? The 5 day journey of Keema of the Daware Tribe and Jun the Red Peacock as they cross the country carrying precious cargo and running from the Terrors of a crumbling empire. Along the way, they must contend with a magic like they’ve never seen before, talking telepathic tortoises, the unbearable pressure of family and legacy, and the very Rhythm of the World itself.
Where do I even start with this book?
First of all, I loved it. The book takes its reader through dreams, into a magical theater, across countries, into the spirit world and out again. It spans lifetimes but also only five days. It’s language is lyrical and poetic but also incredibly blunt, gory, and gruesome. Its genre bending in its style, use of multiple perspectives and constant shifting through time and space, but also solidly Epic Fantasy in nature. And I was hooked with every page. The characters are tragic but joyful through so many terrible things that happen to them. It is a love story.
However, it may not be for everyone! That isn’t even necessarily a bad thing; this book knows who it’s ideal audience is. The “chapters” read more like sections or Books within the book itself. If you are the kind of reader who likes to finish a chapter before setting the book down, be prepared for long stretches of reading. The story itself is intricate and can sometimes be confusing! Because the point of view can change at a moments notice between paragraphs (and even sometimes in the middle of a sentence), it took me a moment to settle into the writing while also paying attention to who’s thought I was hearing. After the first fourth of the book however, it became natural to hear the important passing thoughts of those our main character pass during their journey—it fleshed out the world and made every experience in the Smiling Sun’s empire all the more real. That being said, definitely confusing at times!
Overall, this book touched me deeply. I admit to crying at least twice while reading this book. The themes of family, legacy, redemption, and love were poignant and left me thinking every time I managed to put the book down. If you are looking for a rollercoaster of a book that will never go the direction you think it will, I highly recommend this upcoming release!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Sexual content, Excrement
Minor: Alcoholism, Incest, Alcohol