Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - Sharks in the Time of Saviors

Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn

14 reviews

anarmandameg's review against another edition

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adventurous dark sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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caprivoyant's review against another edition

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This was a beautiful story: a touching, family-focused, character-driven novel. It was moving and compassionate and kind. It also has one of the only good scenes representing lactose intolerance I've ever read (with a mostly minor side character) that shows that people with intolerances are still loveable and funny. 🩷

However! I did have a 1 problem with the content of the book and learned later that the marketing for the book/author was disingenuous. ⬇️

Content problem: There is no need to use the r-word.

Marketing problem: Apparently this book was marketed at a Native Hawai'ian story — the marketing also implied that the author himself is Native Hawai'ian. It might have been inspired by Native Hawai'ian myths, but this is not representative of Native Hawai'ian culture or beliefs (found this with a quick Google).

So! Read with care/caution if you choose to read at all. I didn't know. Now I know.

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boba_nbooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

Sharks in the Time of Saviors is a contemporary fiction family saga that follows a native Hawaiian family and adds in a touch of magical realism. Readers also get to see the POV of each person int he family.

Mother, Malia, and her husband, Augie, are struggling to provide for their family of five. Siblings Nainoa (aka Noa), Dean, and Kaui are all trying to find their place in the world. Noa was known as a savior growing up. After being saved from drowning by sharks, Noa discovers some abilities, and Malia starts to believe in the native legends and Hawaiian gods again. Malia and Augie seem to favor Noa, so Dean and Kaui are left to find acceptance elsewhere. Each sibling grapples with their identity as they grow up and try to find their place both in Hawaii and on the mainland as Malia struggles to live life without her children.

I found some of this novel to be quite slow. There were moments of beautiful atmosphere and ambiance, and the way the novel handled grief was so realistic. I loved a lot of things about it, but I just found that the story didn't have quite the impact I was hoping it would. It might be that the plot didn't hit quite as hard due to me listening to the audiobook. However, I still enjoyed the story and the writing.

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