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jennie_wren's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.75
lwhittle's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
An incredible, deep, well-written, well-researched world from the perspective of absolutely miserable characters.
And I mean that literally, not as an insult. All the main characters are traumatised from something in their past and so are aggressive, insulting and untrusting to everyone around them. Conversations are often strings of repetitive insults rather than witty rebuffs which get stale very quickly. Take out all the initial feuding of insults in every conversation before anyone says something meaningful and you've saved a good 100 pages. The only truly good character doesn't arrive until about page 400.
The plot is equally sad, and is never redeemed.
There are so many sub-plots and back stories that the main plot is hard to find a lot of the time. I understand this is intentional and meant to mirror traditional Anansi stories, and I'm probably just not the intended audience, so I speak purely personally when I say it made the book hard to follow and less enjoyable.
Similarly, plot points seemed to throw themselves up out of nowhere, the rules seemed to change from one moment to the next without ever really being clear. I was not surprised when something wild happened because without expectations having been set you can't be surprised by the unexpected.
I want everyone to give this book a go, even if it doesn't end up being for you. I am not the intended audience but do not want to prevent this book from getting into the hands of those that are.
And I mean that literally, not as an insult. All the main characters are traumatised from something in their past and so are aggressive, insulting and untrusting to everyone around them. Conversations are often strings of repetitive insults rather than witty rebuffs which get stale very quickly. Take out all the initial feuding of insults in every conversation before anyone says something meaningful and you've saved a good 100 pages. The only truly good character doesn't arrive until about page 400.
The plot is equally sad, and is never redeemed.
There are so many sub-plots and back stories that the main plot is hard to find a lot of the time. I understand this is intentional and meant to mirror traditional Anansi stories, and I'm probably just not the intended audience, so I speak purely personally when I say it made the book hard to follow and less enjoyable.
Similarly, plot points seemed to throw themselves up out of nowhere, the rules seemed to change from one moment to the next without ever really being clear. I was not surprised when something wild happened because without expectations having been set you can't be surprised by the unexpected.
I want everyone to give this book a go, even if it doesn't end up being for you. I am not the intended audience but do not want to prevent this book from getting into the hands of those that are.
jacksonfj8's review against another edition
4.25
This is a book in which its biggest strengths also end up being its biggest flaws.
First, the world building is incredibly rich and full of details that make it feel alive. It is also refreshing to read a fantasy story not primarily based upon European myth. But the level of detail can make the story confusing, as I often found myself lost remembering if so and so is the king of such and such place, or whatever. This is somewhat alleviated by the reference at the beginning.
Second, the grimness of the writing makes it rather compelling in a macabre kinda way. This is an unpleasant story and you really feel it. But this unpleasantness is too much sometimes. The story is almost comically violent and sexual. These moments reinforce the oppressiveness of the world and narrative, but their frequency reduces their effectiveness. At certain points of the story, it feels like every other page contains an over-the-top description of some gory or lewd (or both) act.
Third, the writing is highly detailed and evocative. This makes the story almost poetic at times, as the words dance off the page. However, at the same time, the writing can also be meandering and leaves me wondering what actually is significant.
Overall, this is a great story with many flaws. It is not for everybody, as the intense world building, visceral darkness of the narrative, and the somewhat complicated prose makes it a challenging read. It is well worth a read if it fits your wheelhouse.
First, the world building is incredibly rich and full of details that make it feel alive. It is also refreshing to read a fantasy story not primarily based upon European myth. But the level of detail can make the story confusing, as I often found myself lost remembering if so and so is the king of such and such place, or whatever. This is somewhat alleviated by the reference at the beginning.
Second, the grimness of the writing makes it rather compelling in a macabre kinda way. This is an unpleasant story and you really feel it. But this unpleasantness is too much sometimes. The story is almost comically violent and sexual. These moments reinforce the oppressiveness of the world and narrative, but their frequency reduces their effectiveness. At certain points of the story, it feels like every other page contains an over-the-top description of some gory or lewd (or both) act.
Third, the writing is highly detailed and evocative. This makes the story almost poetic at times, as the words dance off the page. However, at the same time, the writing can also be meandering and leaves me wondering what actually is significant.
Overall, this is a great story with many flaws. It is not for everybody, as the intense world building, visceral darkness of the narrative, and the somewhat complicated prose makes it a challenging read. It is well worth a read if it fits your wheelhouse.
vfjowers's review against another edition
3.0
The violence made this hard to read at times, though I admire the world-building and thought-provoking themes.
livingprose's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cocovert's review against another edition
Content too graphic for my liking. I could not get into the flow of the narrator's voice.
goddess_krystal's review against another edition
5.0
Best way to explain this book is it is a book that is gonna tell you the life/tales of someone who is ready to die in a very cruel world to an inquisitor.
I do think you need to be good at context clues or at the very least be able to read sarcasm/mocking. This book is challenging in some of it dialogue and the way it changes settings.Black people especially elders almost always say superstitions/traditions in riddles. Also you should probably have knowledge of the bad African traditions when it comes to kids private parts.
U have to remember that you are being told stories, what you believe is up to you
I do think you need to be good at context clues or at the very least be able to read sarcasm/mocking. This book is challenging in some of it dialogue and the way it changes settings.Black people especially elders almost always say superstitions/traditions in riddles. Also you should probably have knowledge of the bad African traditions when it comes to kids private parts.
U have to remember that you are being told stories, what you believe is up to you
quintusmarcus's review against another edition
1.0
Obscenely, insanely violent book, largely without value. Some colorful writing, but a completely incomprehensible narrative. What is wrong with this author? Clearly creative, a fantastic vision, but ruined by his sickening fascination with catastrophic sex and violence. A depraved mind, if you ask me. Complete waste of time and effort, trying to read this book--I'm sorry I spent so much time vainly trying to justify it.
booksandbirthwork's review against another edition
couldn’t get into the audiobook but will try the physical copy
zgonzale's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Black Leopard, Red Wolf is nothing short of a master class in fantasy unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Marlon James takes African mythology, throws it in a blender, and constructs his own rich and detailed world from the result. He does not hold the reader’s hand, so there was an adjustment period for me getting used to the writing style and the world, but the map and cast of characters at the start of the book helped enormously whenever I needed them. Once I did get adjusted, I was ENTHRALLED. The characters are brilliant; the story a rich tapestry of witches, magic, monsters, and political machinations; and the themes on pride, intimacy, violence, and identity are beautifully developed over the course of the book. The violence and carnage of the novel is frequent and extreme, but it is intentional and meaningful. This is not light-hearted or good vs. evil fantasy, this is a complicated tale set in a very dangerous world. I really loved this book and I cannot wait for the next. I’m not much of rereader, but I look forward to rereading this before I take on book two!