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boba_n_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Mother, Malia, and her husband, Augie, are struggling to provide for their family of five. Siblings Nainoa (aka Noa), Dean, and Kaui are all trying to find their place in the world. Noa was known as a savior growing up. After being saved from drowning by sharks, Noa discovers some abilities, and Malia starts to believe in the native legends and Hawaiian gods again. Malia and Augie seem to favor Noa, so Dean and Kaui are left to find acceptance elsewhere. Each sibling grapples with their identity as they grow up and try to find their place both in Hawaii and on the mainland as Malia struggles to live life without her children.
I found some of this novel to be quite slow. There were moments of beautiful atmosphere and ambiance, and the way the novel handled grief was so realistic. I loved a lot of things about it, but I just found that the story didn't have quite the impact I was hoping it would. It might be that the plot didn't hit quite as hard due to me listening to the audiobook. However, I still enjoyed the story and the writing.
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Animal death
Moderate: Homophobia, Drug use, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
allyem_reads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is not at all what I was expecting when I picked this book up. Whether that is a good or bad thing, I can't tell you. What I can say is that the ending was really unsatisfying? I feel like we didn't get any closure. But I did like how the author portrayed grief and depression. This whole book was really a study of grief, and it was well done.
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Car accident, Death, and Drug use
Moderate: Medical trauma, Child abuse, Cultural appropriation, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Violence, Homophobia, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
sammorri's review against another edition
- 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
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, and Self harm
drrock's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Minor: Self harm and Rape
mandkips's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, and Homophobia
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Rape
alrauna's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Grief, Animal death, and Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, and Drug use
Minor: Sexual content, Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
_kathill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Blood, Car accident, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape and Suicidal thoughts
bootsmom3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Drug use, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Rape