Scan barcode
andalucia's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Racism, Classism, and Grief
Minor: Death
thecriticalreader's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Review:
I’m not sure if the problem is me or the book, but I could not get into Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn. Actually, the problem is probably me, because the book is objectively well-crafted. The prose is unique (although I found it tiresome at times), the narrative is heartbreaking, and the characters are complex. Unfortunately, I could not bring myself to care about or connect to the characters because, unlike their stories, their voices are not distinct. They’re all unobservant and lack the insight to spot the obvious problems with their mindsets and behaviors. I can enjoy characters who don’t have self-awareness, but it has to be written in a way that shows me how they justify their misguided actions or thought patterns. Since Sharks in the Time of Saviors is such a character-driven novel, my inability to care about the characters hindered my enjoyment.
Apparently the author is not native Hawaiian (although he was born and raised there), so that might play a role in why the book feels hollow to me, especially in how it engages with native Hawaiian culture. Of course, I'm not in a position to speak authoritatively about what counts as "good" representation in this area or not, but over the years I've developed a better sense of when an author is writing from personal identity and experience and when they are not. When the cultural elements of the book fell flat to me I brushed it off as a "me" problem, but now I wonder if it had anything to do with the author's lack of cultural and ethnic connection to his characters and their myths.
Apparently the author is not native Hawaiian (although he was born and raised there), so that might play a role in why the book feels hollow to me, especially in how it engages with native Hawaiian culture. Of course, I'm not in a position to speak authoritatively about what counts as "good" representation in this area or not, but over the years I've developed a better sense of when an author is writing from personal identity and experience and when they are not. When the cultural elements of the book fell flat to me I brushed it off as a "me" problem, but now I wonder if it had anything to do with the author's lack of cultural and ethnic connection to his characters and their myths.
After dragging on for what seemed like forever, the book ended with an underwhelming conclusion. The overall message the book tries to send is super obvious, and the main characters don’t really grow as people. Again, I don’t think Sharks in the Time of Saviors is a bad book, but it failed to connect with me.
The Run-Down:
You will probably like Sharks in the Time of Saviors if . . .
- You like stories about dysfunctional, but well-meaning, families
- You are interested in a book that looks at the real ramifications of white imperialism/tourism in Hawaii
- You like lyrical prose and hard-hitting truths
You might not like Sharks in the Time of Saviors if . . .
- You want to read a book about native Hawaiian people, myths, and cultures, by someone who is native Hawaiian
- You find it hard to root for or sympathize with characters who do horrible things
- You want mythology and magic to play a large role in the plot
A Similar Book:
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo. Similarities include . . .
- Themes of migration from home and return in search of financial security and belonging
- A dysfunctional but loving family
- Main characters with supernatural abilities/magical realism
- Deeply flawed protagonists
- Celebrations of resiliency in the face of hardship, social commentary
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Bullying, Colonisation, Dementia, Death, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Car accident, Racism, Lesbophobia, Sexual assault, and Police brutality
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
Additional Graphic Content Warnings: Poverty, incarcerationsurprisebear's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Grief, Alcohol, Blood, Dementia, and Ableism
Moderate: Car accident, Addiction, and Colonisation
hflh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
NOTE: This author grew up in Hawaii, but is not Native Hawaiian. In an interview, he describes learning about the myths depicted in this book from friends and in school.
I really think this book is something special — It’s nothing and more than what I expected so I’m going to keep this review vague to try to maintain the mystery factor for other readers.
First of all, the PROSE. I wish I had the words to better describe Washburn’s style beyond that it feels so sharp and tactile. He also has a way of making the most mundane or unromantic things beautiful. This style is maintained across POVs while still keeping each character’s voice distinct.
For the story itself, the magical realism element is less of a focus and more of an avenue to deeply explore complex family dynamics and trauma (particularly related to colonization and poverty). The book switches between the POVs of three siblings as they grow up in a home where one gifted sibling carries the burden of helping financially support the family and the other two are in his shadow and, then, as all three try to ‘make it’ in some way on the mainland while separated from their family and dealing with old and new trauma. And it’s done so well.
It’s definitely heavy and emotional, but the characters also bring a lot of light and humour.
Unfortunately, I thought the last third lost itself a bit. I liked where it went, where it was going, and where it went after that, but that middle ‘where it was going’ part felt rushed compared to the care and depth in the first 2/3. This might have been what Washburn was going for, but it didn’t work as much for me. That being said, I’m excited for a future reread to see if my thoughts change and I’m eagerly awaiting Washburn’s next work.
I really think this book is something special — It’s nothing and more than what I expected so I’m going to keep this review vague to try to maintain the mystery factor for other readers.
First of all, the PROSE. I wish I had the words to better describe Washburn’s style beyond that it feels so sharp and tactile. He also has a way of making the most mundane or unromantic things beautiful. This style is maintained across POVs while still keeping each character’s voice distinct.
For the story itself, the magical realism element is less of a focus and more of an avenue to deeply explore complex family dynamics and trauma (particularly related to colonization and poverty). The book switches between the POVs of three siblings as they grow up in a home where one gifted sibling carries the burden of helping financially support the family and the other two are in his shadow and, then, as all three try to ‘make it’ in some way on the mainland while separated from their family and dealing with old and new trauma. And it’s done so well.
It’s definitely heavy and emotional, but the characters also bring a lot of light and humour.
Unfortunately, I thought the last third lost itself a bit. I liked where it went, where it was going, and where it went after that, but that middle ‘where it was going’ part felt rushed compared to the care and depth in the first 2/3. This might have been what Washburn was going for, but it didn’t work as much for me. That being said, I’m excited for a future reread to see if my thoughts change and I’m eagerly awaiting Washburn’s next work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, Mental illness, Death, Drug use, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Sexual violence, Addiction, Forced institutionalization, and Animal death
Major spoiler TW:kshertz's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I will preface this by saying that I’m not a big magical realism person. For me, this novel was one that was unexpectedly dark and devastating. In a way that felt like a lot of trauma that just happens and there’s no resolution. Magical realism that seemingly had no point that I could see was hard. But I know many friends who loved this book so maybe it’s just over my head! I think if you love magical realism and really dark stories with lots of sadness, you would like this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Death, Dementia, Ableism, Drug use, Grief, Racial slurs, Colonisation, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Racism, Abandonment, Bullying, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
jazhandz's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Colonisation, Homophobia, and Drug use
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual assault
mitone_winona's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
First thing about this book, it does a beautiful example of combining magical realism with the realities of being in the modern times as well as combining the culture of Hawaii into a twist that I understand deeply as someone who is indigenous in America. Not only does the book deal with magical realism and how it affects the family, but its understandable in a way that is very modern and I believe relatable even if the book wasn't about the current things going on with Noa, who is a pseudo centerpiece that is surrounded and switched out by his family member's perspective of how they view Noa and the affect of their parents on the 3 children as well as Noa's existence being exceptionally amazing, he is still a young man who grew up overly praised rather than seen as a boy and a human.
This book is so natural and real with how it goes over being siblings in a challenging dynamic, being successful in a way that matters so much to you and your parents, and the consequences of reality on those goals and aspirations. Each sibling is very unique in both struggles and goals they all wish to achieve.
This book is so natural and realistic in a way that makes you cheer on even if the moment is tense. You want these characters to thrive and continue on. I highly suggest you read this book if you like magical realism combined with TRUE reality that intertwines both amazingly.
This book is so natural and real with how it goes over being siblings in a challenging dynamic, being successful in a way that matters so much to you and your parents, and the consequences of reality on those goals and aspirations. Each sibling is very unique in both struggles and goals they all wish to achieve.
This book is so natural and realistic in a way that makes you cheer on even if the moment is tense. You want these characters to thrive and continue on. I highly suggest you read this book if you like magical realism combined with TRUE reality that intertwines both amazingly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Car accident, Death, Drug abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Violence
usedtotheweather's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Alcohol, Car accident, Death, Dementia, Drug use, Grief, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
More...