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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
The story was okay, but the pacing was hard to get through. I had to renew the audiobook several times to finally finish it.
But I did enjoy the characters and the world! I was definitely invested.
But I did enjoy the characters and the world! I was definitely invested.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, War
Moderate: Slavery, Kidnapping, Colonisation
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
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
This sequel had me sitting on the edge of my seat and ripped my heart out. 5 stars!
Simi is honoring her deal with Olokun, keeping him company in the Land of the Dead and helping him with his duties. Yet she still misses the sun, and the boy she left behind. When her fellow Mami Wata Folasade comes to her with grave news, it will mean breaking her promise to Olokun and throwing in with the trickster god who got her into this position. If she doesn't risk it, though, all of humanity will be destroyed.
With the lead in that Simi would keep Olokun company in the Land of the Dead, I was expecting a sort of retelling of the myth of Persephone. However that was not the case, and instead the story went into its own direction. It felt as though it moved much quicker than the first book, with less need to build this world and more of an ability to move within it, which was enjoyable. However, I was disappointed we didn't get more on-page time with Esu, considering how important he is to, well, everything that happens.
I also felt the threads of this second half of Simi's story were a little looser, and more creative license was taken (bordering on deus ex machina machinations). Now it could all very well be quite in line with Yoruba culture and religion/mythology, but some of it was a little too convenient in making rock-solid obstacles surmountable, and then the payoff of that surmounting wasn't even there as it went in a different direction, the direction which was more of an undercurrent. There’s something to be said to subverting the popular YA teen romance narrative, but this just didn’t quite seem to have enough meat behind the subversion. Overall while I liked the feel of this story, the atmosphere of it, it felt like the focus it had didn’t lead where it seemed it should have led. I actually missed comparing it to another tale as the first one was comparable to The Little Mermaid – I guess it makes it feel as though Simi’s story needed a set framework to build around, filled it out, and this book represents the parts of the story that grew beyond the framework – a little less prescribed, but still trying to capture some of the familiar frame below it.
Continuity Question:
Esu...mouth shining with grease from the chicken he has already helped himself to. - page 95 - on page 94, Esu had reached for the beef and Simi felt 'a flash of annoyance that he is getting to eat what he nearly destroyed.' No mention of chicken - intentional?
Favorite Quote:
I think of all my own memories, reclaimed and mine. To know where you came from holds so much power over how you feel about yourself. - page 120
With the lead in that Simi would keep Olokun company in the Land of the Dead, I was expecting a sort of retelling of the myth of Persephone. However that was not the case, and instead the story went into its own direction. It felt as though it moved much quicker than the first book, with less need to build this world and more of an ability to move within it, which was enjoyable. However, I was disappointed we didn't get more on-page time with Esu, considering how important he is to, well, everything that happens.
I also felt the threads of this second half of Simi's story were a little looser, and more creative license was taken (bordering on deus ex machina machinations). Now it could all very well be quite in line with Yoruba culture and religion/mythology, but some of it was a little too convenient in making rock-solid obstacles surmountable, and then the payoff of that surmounting wasn't even there as it went in a different direction, the direction which was more of an undercurrent. There’s something to be said to subverting the popular YA teen romance narrative, but this just didn’t quite seem to have enough meat behind the subversion. Overall while I liked the feel of this story, the atmosphere of it, it felt like the focus it had didn’t lead where it seemed it should have led. I actually missed comparing it to another tale as the first one was comparable to The Little Mermaid – I guess it makes it feel as though Simi’s story needed a set framework to build around, filled it out, and this book represents the parts of the story that grew beyond the framework – a little less prescribed, but still trying to capture some of the familiar frame below it.
Continuity Question:
Esu...mouth shining with grease from the chicken he has already helped himself to. - page 95 - on page 94, Esu had reached for the beef and Simi felt 'a flash of annoyance that he is getting to eat what he nearly destroyed.' No mention of chicken - intentional?
Favorite Quote:
I think of all my own memories, reclaimed and mine. To know where you came from holds so much power over how you feel about yourself. - page 120
Basic and predictable plot.
But very fascinating because of all the info on African gods and goddesses and everything more.
Simidele is herself. With all her flaws and bravery. But at times I couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed with her diving headfirst into problems. And the whole let me kill myself to save the universe approach.
It was an enjoyable read.
The ending was undeniably beautiful.
And no matter what, I'll always be in love with this universe.
But very fascinating because of all the info on African gods and goddesses and everything more.
Simidele is herself. With all her flaws and bravery. But at times I couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed with her diving headfirst into problems. And the whole let me kill myself to save the universe approach.
It was an enjoyable read.
The ending was undeniably beautiful.
And no matter what, I'll always be in love with this universe.
adventurous
emotional
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:
No