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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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Animal death
Moderate: Homophobia, Drug use, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
blondieonekenobi's review against another edition
Need to read more but want to restart it as I was reading too many books at the time and couldn't give this the attention it deserved.
vbayman's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
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
3.75
miss_kjt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
saraanneb3's review against another edition
5.0
So beautiful and interesting!
I read an interview with the author where he said among other things the book is about grief, and that comes through in such a lovely way
I think the book is also about cliffs, situational cliffs, emotional cliffs, financial and economic cliffs (and literal cliffs) and what happens when you're on the edge of one, how you have to live, what it asks you to do, and also what happens when we make a world, a situation, where people have to live on those cliffs all the time
Anyhow, highly recommend and additionally look up the night marchers--I did and it just added to my already deep enjoyment of the book and also check out the author's website, he has made a playlist for the book!
I read an interview with the author where he said among other things the book is about grief, and that comes through in such a lovely way
I think the book is also about cliffs, situational cliffs, emotional cliffs, financial and economic cliffs (and literal cliffs) and what happens when you're on the edge of one, how you have to live, what it asks you to do, and also what happens when we make a world, a situation, where people have to live on those cliffs all the time
Anyhow, highly recommend and additionally look up the night marchers--I did and it just added to my already deep enjoyment of the book and also check out the author's website, he has made a playlist for the book!
colindac's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
Noa Flores falls off a boat into the Pacific Ocean and is saved by sharks. So begins the complicated life story of Noa, his family in modern day Hawaii, and how we can grapple with our gifts and our places in the world. Beautifully written.
artemisfloof's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.25
read2fast2furious's review against another edition
emotional
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
mama_maleficent's review against another edition
3.0
I think I would’ve liked this much more if it were 50-75 pages shorter. Feels like a lot of loose threads that never quite wove together. Like the purpose of the book was never quite found. Maybe 2.5 stars? I feel 3 is a bit generous.
mvalcour's review against another edition
dark
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
5.0