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zombiezami's review against another edition
Loved the premise, but the execution didn't hold my attention
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, Confinement, Slavery, Alcohol, and Animal death
Minor: Colonisation
jewels_pg's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Amazing world-building, delightful characters, twists and excitement. I didn't want the story to end and seriously considered starting the book over as soon as I finished it so I could enter the world again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Trafficking
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Child death
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
bbygirl21's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
This is a good book. It just wasn't my favorite. I'm mostly a romance reader, so even in a mythology packed fantasy book, I need at least some romance in it, and they're just wasn't in this book. The main character and the boy she saved are supposed to like each other, but I just didn't feel any romantic chemistry between them. Maybe that develops more in the second book, but I don't plan on reading that yet.
I did get quite emotional at some parts. Especially when it came to a particular death scene. I thought the writing was great, even if it wasn't for me. The ending was really good as well.
The ending is done well enough that you wouldn't necessarily need to read the second book. Yes it ends kind of open ended, with some questions left unanswered. But I don't necessarily consider it a cliffhanger. You could stop with this book and be fine in my opinion.
Overall this is a good book. I loved the mythology and the plotline. I wanted more romance, but if that's not your thing this is definitely for you. I'd probably still recommend this even if it wasn't entirely for me.
I did get quite emotional at some parts. Especially when it came to a particular death scene. I thought the writing was great, even if it wasn't for me. The ending was really good as well.
The ending is done well enough that you wouldn't necessarily need to read the second book. Yes it ends kind of open ended, with some questions left unanswered. But I don't necessarily consider it a cliffhanger. You could stop with this book and be fine in my opinion.
Overall this is a good book. I loved the mythology and the plotline. I wanted more romance, but if that's not your thing this is definitely for you. I'd probably still recommend this even if it wasn't entirely for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Body horror, Grief, Blood, Death, Genocide, Confinement, Murder, Colonisation, Child death, Racism, Slavery, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, and Trafficking
Minor: Pregnancy
idanolberger's review
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
I'm sorry, this book was such a disappointment to me. I thought the prose of this book sounded so good, but the execution was just terrible.
First of all, the relationship dynamics between the characters were just strange from the start. Characters that had just met acted like they'd known each other for ages. The pacing was really bad, to the point where each time they mentioned the passing of time I had to pause and flip through the last few pages I'd read because I didn't think it made sense.
Then we have the problem of not describing things, it was only tell and not show in this book. And sometimes even the telling wasn't enough. Because instead of showing through actions and body language what the characters were feeling, it would just be a statement. And I remember one passage vividly, because I got so pissed of, where she wrote something along the lines of "thinking of when the storms at sea form, the feeling I get, the scent in the air." but she doesn't go on to actually describe the feeling or the scent. I feel there were multiple time things like this happened.
I also think that the characters would react and behave a bit strange in some parts. Like when they are with the yumbos and all of them start moaning in pain and fall to the ground. I would think that if something like that happened anyone who witnessed it would be freaked out immediately but Simidele acted so calm it was almost creepy.
Another thing I didn't like was how completely focused Simidele was on Kola (and him on her but not as bad) to the point where it felt like she didn't give two fucks about anyone else. When at the end of the book Esu is trying to trick her by telling her she could be human again to be with Kola and she actually seems to consider it? Because that would have been so incredibly selfish. I also think she was low-key kind of stupid at several points in the book.
I feel like this book would have been better as a movie for kids (if you made it less bloody i guess). But I don't think it was good in book format. The flashbacks added nothing to story for me, I could have been without 99% of them. I guess the only flashback I consider maybe worthwhile was the one where her mother recounts her birth. But all the others were just an interruption to the story. They would have been better if it were a movie, but as a book it should have been left out.
And don't get me started on Issas death. Because that was so unnecessary, and I'm not even angry because I was saddened by it. I didn't really care about any of the characters, but it was unnecessary plot-wise. It served no purpose. He should've gone back home (like he'd promised) and they never addressed the fact that he stayed. They just brushed past it. And I don't even get why he stayed except for having this moment on deck where they don't know what is in the sack?? But other than that he added nothing. And then they killed him to again just make the other characters sad? But it didn't actually add anything or drive the plot forward.
I could honestly go on forever with more things, but I will leave it here. These were my main issues. I would have given it 1 or 1.5 stars if it weren't for some plot twists toward the end that made it a little bit more enjoyable.
First of all, the relationship dynamics between the characters were just strange from the start. Characters that had just met acted like they'd known each other for ages. The pacing was really bad, to the point where each time they mentioned the passing of time I had to pause and flip through the last few pages I'd read because I didn't think it made sense.
Then we have the problem of not describing things, it was only tell and not show in this book. And sometimes even the telling wasn't enough. Because instead of showing through actions and body language what the characters were feeling, it would just be a statement. And I remember one passage vividly, because I got so pissed of, where she wrote something along the lines of "thinking of when the storms at sea form, the feeling I get, the scent in the air." but she doesn't go on to actually describe the feeling or the scent. I feel there were multiple time things like this happened.
I also think that the characters would react and behave a bit strange in some parts.
Another thing I didn't like was how completely focused Simidele was on Kola (and him on her but not as bad) to the point where it felt like she didn't give two fucks about anyone else.
I feel like this book would have been better as a movie for kids (if you made it less bloody i guess). But I don't think it was good in book format. The flashbacks added nothing to story for me, I could have been without 99% of them. I guess the only flashback I consider maybe worthwhile was the one where her mother recounts her birth. But all the others were just an interruption to the story. They would have been better if it were a movie, but as a book it should have been left out.
I could honestly go on forever with more things, but I will leave it here. These were my main issues. I would have given it 1 or 1.5 stars if it weren't for some plot twists toward the end that made it a little bit more enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Blood, Gore, Violence, and Slavery
lucymt92's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
A brilliant book, history and myth combined into a fascinating and beautiful story! Loved it and I cannot wait for the next one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Death, and Violence
Minor: Slavery and Child death
squinnittowinit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Personally I would have enjoyed it more without the romance. I didn't really feel like there was much of a reason for it to be there outside of the little mermaid parallel. I also didn't love any of the characters. I thought they were fine, but I didn't feel like I knew them very well or that they had much depth overall. An okay book that's rather forgettable for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Child death, Kidnapping, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Death, and Blood
calamitywindpetal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Slavery, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Death
Moderate: Racism
vercopaanir's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I felt like this book started off slow, although that could totally have been a lack of interest because it didn’t have the same vibes as the book I finished prior. But once it got going, it was really good. I loved the story, learning about West African mythology, and the characters. Simi is an amazing MC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Genocide, Kidnapping, Racism, Slavery, and Suicide attempt
The book takes place in the mid-1400s, so there is talk about White Europeans kidnapping and buying West Africans during the early slave trade. These are important catalysts for the events of the book and mentioned throughout, but the book is not about enslavement. The author gives a clear content note in the beginning for those concerned, as well.karissabubble's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Kidnapping, and Slavery
Moderate: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
This book was very thought provoking and a wonderful read! Enjoyed the journey and the struggles with grief, loss, and hope.paigeinabook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Deportation, Child death, Death, Dysphoria, Forced institutionalization, Adult/minor relationship, Cultural appropriation, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Medical content, Trafficking, Body shaming, Colonisation, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racism, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Xenophobia