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kk_gotit_goinon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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
This book is tense and beautiful. It explores family dynamics and realizing your parents are people. If you liked The Bee Sting or If I Survive You you'll love this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Domestic abuse
evspekkie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Rape
erinmcav's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Suicide attempt
nsusdorf's review
challenging
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Rape
eve81's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Child abuse, Cancer, Abandonment, Biphobia, Terminal illness, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Alcohol, Racism, Violence, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape
readwithsaray's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
patsypoo's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I liked Black Cake but I didn't love it. It started out very strong but the last quarter of the book dragged on for me.
I really enjoyed the Caribbean/Covey part of the narrative but I wasn't sold or invested on the rest.
The writing was odd and the constant use of characters' names rather than using pronouns every now and then was annoying.
I also felt that a lot of the environmental and social issues were just tacked on for the sake of it.
There's one particular scene about a police traffic stop that was completely pointless. You literally meet one of the characters involved just then, the traffic stop happens, some stuff follows, there's a mention of protests and none of it is ever mentioned again. All of that happens over about 2 or 3 pages and that's it. Baffling.
There was a lot of telling but not much showing and some of the characters needed to be more developed.
Having said all that, the parts in the Caribbean were very enjoyable and the mystery at the heart of the story kept me reading.
I really enjoyed the Caribbean/Covey part of the narrative but I wasn't sold or invested on the rest.
The writing was odd and the constant use of characters' names rather than using pronouns every now and then was annoying.
I also felt that a lot of the environmental and social issues were just tacked on for the sake of it.
There's one particular scene about a police traffic stop that was completely pointless. You literally meet one of the characters involved just then, the traffic stop happens, some stuff follows, there's a mention of protests and none of it is ever mentioned again. All of that happens over about 2 or 3 pages and that's it. Baffling.
There was a lot of telling but not much showing and some of the characters needed to be more developed.
Having said all that, the parts in the Caribbean were very enjoyable and the mystery at the heart of the story kept me reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcoholism, Racism, Alcohol, and Homophobia
pagesfromhome's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
I absolutely understand the hype now.
This book spans so much in what feels like a very short amount of pages, not only years but also in building these interconnected side stories that Wilkerson does a great job tying up at the end.
She also does a phenomenal job of building real and complex characters without ever feeling like the development is dragging. She always gave just enough information for you to follow what was going on, but still, gives you the chance to build the characters in your head.
Genuinely loved reading this! My only stumbling point was there was just so much going on at every moment that I often got a touch lost and had to take a second at the start of each chapter to reorient myself to where I was in the story. For other readers, I'd recommend reading this one while you're not reading anything else to help you keep the characters and story straight.
This book spans so much in what feels like a very short amount of pages, not only years but also in building these interconnected side stories that Wilkerson does a great job tying up at the end.
She also does a phenomenal job of building real and complex characters without ever feeling like the development is dragging. She always gave just enough information for you to follow what was going on, but still, gives you the chance to build the characters in your head.
Genuinely loved reading this! My only stumbling point was there was just so much going on at every moment that I often got a touch lost and had to take a second at the start of each chapter to reorient myself to where I was in the story. For other readers, I'd recommend reading this one while you're not reading anything else to help you keep the characters and story straight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Suicide attempt, Rape, and Sexual assault
jasisreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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
5.0
A beautiful generational tale about the lengths we go to hide secrets, and the consequences that are felt when those secrets are revealed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Xenophobia, and Alcoholism
Minor: Rape
asiminam's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Sexual assault, Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Abandonment, and Addiction