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internationalreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Classism, Death, Drug use, Grief, Mental illness, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
kry_yang's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
4.75
I picked up this book because I really loved the cover, and because I was really drawn to Washburn's identity as a Native Hawaiian. And honestly, this book surprised me in the best way possible.
As a fan of magical realism, I was absolutely stunned by the premise of this story. The first chapter was a bit slow-going, because I was getting acquainting by the author's lyrical style. But after the first couple of chapters, I was HOOKED. I love family drama books, especially ones that dive deep into the psyches of the characters in the story. I felt like the alternating POVs in this story gave me such an intimate portrait of both the parents and their children. Each character had a distinct voice, yet there was also a lot of thematic unity across each perspective. Plus, I've never read a book centered on the experience of Native Hawaiians, and this novel gave me valuable insight into the struggles/erasure that Native Hawaiians face.
Washburn's style is incredibly gorgeous, and his descriptions that blend human life with the natural world got me FEELING some typa way. (I feel like if you hate purple prose though, you might get really turned off by Washburn's writing.)
I didn't *love* the second half of the book the same way I enjoyed the first half. I flew through the first part of the book, but after the *turning point* in the middle of the story, I felt like the pacing of the story slowed down significantly. However, I was so invested in the characters at this point that I still really enjoyed the second half. Also, I'm still kinda grappling with the more magical parts of the books--there's quite a lot of stuff that goes unexplained throughout the story, but I don't mind suspending my disbelief. I understand that this might be hard for some readers, but for me, it didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the novel.
Overall, Sharks in the Time of Saviors provides an important perspective on the trauma that Native Hawaiians endure, including poverty, incarceration, and settler colonialism. Washburn's writing is breathtaking, and I just *loved* the way the story made me *feel things* so viscerally. We are so blessed that Washburn presented this story to the world, and I'm eagerly awaiting his next novel!
As a fan of magical realism, I was absolutely stunned by the premise of this story. The first chapter was a bit slow-going, because I was getting acquainting by the author's lyrical style. But after the first couple of chapters, I was HOOKED. I love family drama books, especially ones that dive deep into the psyches of the characters in the story. I felt like the alternating POVs in this story gave me such an intimate portrait of both the parents and their children. Each character had a distinct voice, yet there was also a lot of thematic unity across each perspective. Plus, I've never read a book centered on the experience of Native Hawaiians, and this novel gave me valuable insight into the struggles/erasure that Native Hawaiians face.
Washburn's style is incredibly gorgeous, and his descriptions that blend human life with the natural world got me FEELING some typa way. (I feel like if you hate purple prose though, you might get really turned off by Washburn's writing.)
I didn't *love* the second half of the book the same way I enjoyed the first half. I flew through the first part of the book, but after the *turning point* in the middle of the story, I felt like the pacing of the story slowed down significantly. However, I was so invested in the characters at this point that I still really enjoyed the second half. Also, I'm still kinda grappling with the more magical parts of the books--there's quite a lot of stuff that goes unexplained throughout the story, but I don't mind suspending my disbelief. I understand that this might be hard for some readers, but for me, it didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the novel.
Overall, Sharks in the Time of Saviors provides an important perspective on the trauma that Native Hawaiians endure, including poverty, incarceration, and settler colonialism. Washburn's writing is breathtaking, and I just *loved* the way the story made me *feel things* so viscerally. We are so blessed that Washburn presented this story to the world, and I'm eagerly awaiting his next novel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death
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
bobbijopmh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“The kingdom of Hawai‘i had long been broken—the breathing rain forests and singing green reefs crushed under the haole fists of beach resorts and skyscrapers—and that was when the land had begun calling.”
This novel artfully blends harsh realities and magic, on a story encompassing all members of a single family and spanning decades of their lives.
As someone who doesn't read a lot of magical realism, I wasn't really sure what to expect going into this. It's worth noting, though, that a lot of the ‘magic’ in this novel comes from Hawaiian traditional beliefs and lore.
The storyline had me gripped. With plenty of compelling twists and turns, which makes it hard to say much about the plot other than it's about finding a place where you truly belong, the relationships between family members, and the burdens that come with enormous expectations.
Kawai Strong Washburn switches voice for the different perspectives presented perfectly; creating a deeper understanding and connection with each character through their voice and mannerism. Malia with her lyrical, poetic and emotional descriptions; Dean with his strong pidgin-Hawaiian accent; Kaui with her insecure “okay?” and “right”. It is very skillfully written. The descriptions of places, and feelings, are atmospheric and almost a sensory experience themselves.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, it was unlike anything I've personally read before, and I can't wait to see what Kawai Strong Washburnwrites next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Medical content, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Drug use, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Animal death
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