Scan barcode
trippalli's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
A drama filled and realistic tale of poverty and h pes , sports healing people music and dance weave magical connections but failure after failure and family tragedy and the 3 kids growing up and their work and attempts to keep their family together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Excrement
Moderate: Death
andrewhatesham's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Excrement, Car accident, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
erinsbookshelves's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-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
2.0
Please read reviews and comments from Native Hawaiians about the cultural appropriation in this novel.
Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3789958619?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3337819032?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://twitter.com/sara_kahanamoku/status/1299793554328313856
Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3789958619?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3337819032?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
https://twitter.com/sara_kahanamoku/status/1299793554328313856
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Death, Toxic relationship, and Excrement
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts
lklitup's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. I’m reeling from the lyricism of this prose and the depth of this family’s story. The magical realism of this novel does nothing to detract from the all-to-real themes about expectations from family, duty to self, and purpose within the greater world. This novel’s lush descriptions of Hawai’i and its culture made me want to go to the nearest beach just to sit and be near the ocean— something so large, powerful, unfathomable.
While Nainoa’s journey may have been the central story from which the others’ grew, I was most drawn to was Kaui. The other members of the Flores family seemed to flounder (or ultimately succumb) to the weaknesses they learned about themselves. Kaui fiercely refused to be seen as “less than” from anyone, even from within her own family. Even from herself. She was powerful.
“She never said shit like this to the boys, only to me. Like I was supposed to be guilty of ambition while they were just living their full potential.”
While Nainoa’s journey may have been the central story from which the others’ grew, I was most drawn to was Kaui. The other members of the Flores family seemed to flounder (or ultimately succumb) to the weaknesses they learned about themselves. Kaui fiercely refused to be seen as “less than” from anyone, even from within her own family. Even from herself. She was powerful.
“She never said shit like this to the boys, only to me. Like I was supposed to be guilty of ambition while they were just living their full potential.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, and Excrement
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts