Reviews with content warning for Animal death - Sharks in the Time of Saviors

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Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn

17 reviews

boba_n_books's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

Sharks in the Time of Saviors is a contemporary fiction family saga that follows a native Hawaiian family and adds in a touch of magical realism. Readers also get to see the POV of each person int he family.

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.

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allyem_reads's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

5.57 CAWPILE

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.

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hhashisaka's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful mysterious 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

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hflh's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.25

NOTE: This author grew up in Hawaii, but is not Native Hawaiian. In an interview, he describes learning about the myths depicted in this book from friends and in school.

I really think this book is something special — It’s nothing and more than what I expected so I’m going to keep this review vague to try to maintain the mystery factor for other readers.

First of all, the PROSE. I wish I had the words to better describe Washburn’s style beyond that it feels so sharp and tactile. He also has a way of making the most mundane or unromantic things beautiful. This style is maintained across POVs while still keeping each character’s voice distinct.

For the story itself, the magical realism element is less of a focus and more of an avenue to deeply explore complex family dynamics and trauma (particularly related to colonization and poverty). The book switches between the POVs of three siblings as they grow up in a home where one gifted sibling carries the burden of helping financially support the family and the other two are in his shadow and, then, as all three try to ‘make it’ in some way on the mainland while separated from their family and dealing with old and new trauma. And it’s done so well.

It’s definitely heavy and emotional, but the characters also bring a lot of light and humour.

Unfortunately, I thought the last third lost itself a bit. I liked where it went, where it was going, and where it went after that, but that middle ‘where it was going’ part felt rushed compared to the care and depth in the first 2/3. This might have been what Washburn was going for, but it didn’t work as much for me. That being said, I’m excited for a future reread to see if my thoughts change and I’m eagerly awaiting Washburn’s next work.

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askxtine's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Really well done alternating POVs, each character had a unique voice, interests and what mattered to them in the story. I read this one quite slowly because there was always that looming feeling of dread ahead even when something magical and beautiful was happening in the plot. I feel like I learned some things about Hawai'i and modern Hawaiian culture. Some really beautiful language in here.

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