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mamabearlare's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.5
nravindr's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.75
flowergrrl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this! Acevedo balances a large cast of narrators without dehumanizing or tokenizing any of them, which is a feat. I also appreciated that the magical realism was done with a light touch. This book sparkles.
my_the_margarita's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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? N/A
3.75
brogan7's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
A multi POV novel centering on a family from the Dominican Republic who emigrate to NY (first one sister, then another, then more, until the whole family has come and the next generation is American born). Each sister has a magical power (except possibly one sister, there comes the line between "magical" and not, which is unclear to me).
Family, shared and unshared traumas, moving, becoming.
I felt disappointed that the character who foresaw deaths, until she foresaw her own, was the least well drawn character, she seemed nebulous and though she wanted something (a family resolution, sharing memories, greater understanding), she didn't seem well delineated.
A writer to watch, for her insights on colonialism and human motivations.
Family, shared and unshared traumas, moving, becoming.
I felt disappointed that the character who foresaw deaths, until she foresaw her own, was the least well drawn character, she seemed nebulous and though she wanted something (a family resolution, sharing memories, greater understanding), she didn't seem well delineated.
A writer to watch, for her insights on colonialism and human motivations.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Colonisation
itsmetaphysical's review against another edition
3.0
Library book so it took me forever to read, couldn’t finish it in the time I originally had it so I had to wait for it to come back around. Some parts I really enjoyed, other parts I skimmed. Cried at the end but that should be a shock to no one. I will say the Yadi and Ant story had me MAD. WHY CAN’T THEY BE TOGETHER. WHY WHY WHY WHY. We only got Ant for 3 seconds and in those three seconds I loved him.
niavanni's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? No
4.75
rwilson826's review against another edition
Too slow not enough character development for the story to progress effectively
showthisbooksomelove's review
3.5
Initially this was kind of a slow read for me, but later in the story I had no trouble listening to it. It's a somewhat convoluted tale of an intergenerational family sprinkled with magical realism, and lots of relationship drama. Reminiscent of 1000 Years of Solitude, but more feminine.