Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
medium-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
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
A dystopian where slavery and control over black women, and even just women in general, was still around.
The story focused mainly on Solene, who is writing a story about Henriette, someone who she believes is a part of her family tree. As she is writing the story, we get snippets of Solene going from the past, where she ends up meeting Bastian, to the Now, during her prison-like marriage to Bastian. Where she seeks freedom.
The story itself had a lot of good quotes imbedded within it. One thing I found strenuous was that even though it was interesting to read about how Solene and Bastian came about, I didn't think that it needed to be as traversing as it was, considering we as the reader knew what was already happening in their relationship. I think if the Then chapters had stuck to describing Henriette's story that Solene was writing, then that would have been better.
The way that the characters grow in this story is desperation. This woman is pleasing to this man who promised her freedom, to essentially free her, and when he doesn't keep that promise, she seeks other ways to gain that power.
Bastian is a whole other ordeal. We see that he treats her like a delicate flower, never abusive in the physical manner. He is abusive financially and emotionally. Claims to love her, but comes out more as someone who doesn't want to loose a toy. Treats her as a prized object.
In my eyes, there is no happy ending for Solene. Bastian's sudden character change after reading Henriette's story I guess made him open his eyes to reality, but he's still abusive to her, so I wasn't too happy that they stay together. Was so 180* in his character that I was wondering who the hell this intruder was.
The story focused mainly on Solene, who is writing a story about Henriette, someone who she believes is a part of her family tree. As she is writing the story, we get snippets of Solene going from the past, where she ends up meeting Bastian, to the Now, during her prison-like marriage to Bastian. Where she seeks freedom.
The story itself had a lot of good quotes imbedded within it. One thing I found strenuous was that even though it was interesting to read about how Solene and Bastian came about, I didn't think that it needed to be as traversing as it was, considering we as the reader knew what was already happening in their relationship. I think if the Then chapters had stuck to describing Henriette's story that Solene was writing, then that would have been better.
The way that the characters grow in this story is desperation. This woman is pleasing to this man who promised her freedom, to essentially free her, and when he doesn't keep that promise, she seeks other ways to gain that power.
Bastian is a whole other ordeal. We see that he treats her like a delicate flower, never abusive in the physical manner. He is abusive financially and emotionally. Claims to love her, but comes out more as someone who doesn't want to loose a toy. Treats her as a prized object.
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So badly wanted to enjoy this more than I did. The premise is great but it left a lot to be desired for me. My biggest complaint was the worldbuilding, which was pretty much nonexistent. I really wanted more info on the history of the world and how things got to where they were and it just didn't happen. I also really had a hard time with the then/now perspectives and understanding where we were in the story. The fact that two of the perspectives were only five years apart felt like there wasn't enough distance between the two. I liked what was trying to be said here but it just didn't really work for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Racism, Slavery
Moderate: Domestic abuse, War
Minor: Miscarriage, Abortion, Pregnancy
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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:
No