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rei_reads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Infidelity, Rape, and Sexual assault
brogan7's review
challenging
informative
tense
fast-paced
This is a harsh story. I can't quite decide if it was needed or not. By the end I felt the author treated her own characters as disposable Lele could only have a defensible injury if it was more than a sexual assault, if it was public and visible, and Maya could only have power by avenging Lele's attack, letting others mete out brute justice. This last didn't seem likely to me, neither did Chantal's late awakening to her partner's true colours.
However, the ending isn't the whole book, and the story carries with it many important insights into colonialism and relationships between countries and continents, people trying to help, people doing damage in various ways.
However, the ending isn't the whole book, and the story carries with it many important insights into colonialism and relationships between countries and continents, people trying to help, people doing damage in various ways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Gaslighting, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Self harm, and Misogyny
Moderate: Infidelity and Fire/Fire injury
linneahbt's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
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
This was so deeply painful. A beautiful and complicated picture of the life of an aid worker, belonging nowhere. Of finding the truth and having to question the people that you have learned how to trust and depend on; realizing that they are capable of the unimaginable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
joannalouise's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-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
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Hate crime, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Racism
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