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the_wistful_word_witch's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
I really enjoyed Babalola's reimaginings of folktales, myths, and legends from around the world, especially because she specifically rewrote them to give the women in them more agency and control. There were a couple I'd never heard before and it was fun to learn more about these and the cultures they come from by doing deeper dives. I think my fave is the very last short story. đ The book may be finished but that story certainly isn't.
Minor: Racial slurs, Murder, Body shaming, Blood, Violence, and Death
rafacolog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Violence, Death, and Body shaming
katiemack'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Body shaming, Infidelity, Torture, and Bullying
Minor: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Misogyny
purplepenning's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Classism, Grief, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Sexism, Racial slurs, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Death, Fatphobia, Murder, and Sexual content
thenovelmaura'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? It's complicated
2.5
For most of these stories, Babalola simply put the characters in modern settings and gave them modern jobs. Many of them lost their gifts, powers, or anything else that made them unique; only the names made them recognizable to the reader. All of the stories started to blend together and feel the same, which is a shame considering their diverse origins. The stories that really worked either had enough of the original situations to be fun and interesting (like Thisbe) or had an unexpected twist that kept me engaged (like Nefertiti). Overall, I think Babalola is a talented writer, but this anthology could have been greatly improved if there were multiple authors invited to put their own twists on these classic myths.
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Infidelity
my_plant_library'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
5.0
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Torture, Bullying, and Body shaming
Minor: Racial slurs and Misogyny
obfuscatress'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? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Murder
spinesinaline's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
I love retellings and Babalola has such an immersive and creative way of retelling these stories, not to mention the added agency that she gives the female characters. Her intention in empowering the women in these tales is immediately clear and it gives the stories so much more depth. She also highlights a lot of folk tales that arenât well-known in the Western world, particularly African legends, so itâs a chance for new audiences to engage with these stories.
Personal favourites were âNaleliâ for a truly inventive take on the original and âThisbeâ for the cute university twist on the crack in the wall.
Graphic: Torture and Violence
Moderate: Death, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Car accident
sydneybedell'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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Torture, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Body shaming and Bullying
Minor: Infidelity and Misogyny
valereads'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
3.75
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Ableism, Alcohol, Body shaming, Classism, Cursing, and Violence
Minor: War, Police brutality, Sexual content, Fatphobia, Grief, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Murder