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magalis's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I expected to like this book much more than I did. I thought there was a good story somewhere in there, but it got bogged down in too many storylines and characters, and too much purple prose. I appreciated the extensive historical research that Mengiste clearly did for this, and the parallels and references to the Iliad were well constructed. I wanted there to be more to the characters and to the story though. For a 450 page long book, not a lot happens! I really liked Hirut as a character, but thought she got lost after the introduction of Ettore. I enjoyed the sub-plot following the Emperor and his deteriorating mental state, but didn't feel like his story was very fleshed-out. In the end, I found this a slog to get through and I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters and feel emotionally invested in the outcome of their stories.
Content warnings for rape and pedophilia (child brides in their early-teens).
Content warnings for rape and pedophilia (child brides in their early-teens).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, and Death
Minor: Mental illness, Child death, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Misogyny
popcornreading's review
This was way too lyrical for my tastes. Everything is written in metaphor to the point where I don’t understand how a character moved from point a to b. It was exhausting to decipher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Child abuse, and War
bookreviewswithkb's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
5✨
historical fiction, African literature
themes of war, the strength of women, fighting the fuck back
this novel is truly stunning. i was blown away. i can’t imagine what it took to write this - the historical research, the lyrical descriptions, and the devastating content. there were lines and thoughts and ideas and concepts that just took everything out of me. that shook me to my core.
although i didn’t find this to be true for me, i can definitely understand why people say this is a hard book to read. it’s extremely dense, and the subplots are real. but i think that’s when historical fiction is at its best. the characterization and stories that exist within the historical event brought to life through fiction - that’s what The Shadow King is.
and i mean when will the empowerment of women, especially within the context of a story we are ALWAYS overlooked within, not be incredible in a book? i think never
“who remembers what it means to be more than what this world believes of us?”
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Sexual assault, and Rape
freundlichl's review
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
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? N/A
5.0
For such a heavy subject, I was captivated. The prose is lyrical and gripping — i could not put it down
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, and Rape
zoes_human's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
4.0
A beautifully written story of Ethiopia's fight against Mussolini's invasion. It is brutal and heartbreaking, but I don't think the truth of war can be told in any other way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Violence, and War
Minor: Antisemitism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Death, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
annamgane's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had a really difficult time reading this book. There were multiple points where i had to put the book down. It highlights the importance and role of women during war, but this included graphic descriptions of the difficulties these women go through. However it is still a very enjoyable book, and I put the book down because i was so blown away by the writing. I also generally don't like books about war, which i think leads to the 4 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
frankieclc's review against another edition
as beautiful as the writing is, (i’m listening to the audio book), i couldn’t get through some of the scenes (had to skip) and the subject matter isn’t something i can currently comfortably listen to
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Colonisation, Violence, and War
rainkatzanddogs's review
challenging
dark
tense
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Violence
fatimazahrah's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, War, and Rape
ragna_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-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
5.0
This is a treat to read, Mengiste writes evocative and compelling prose. Oftentimes, when authors make frequent use of metaphor and simile it tends to unnecessarily densen the prose in ways that don't aid the actual narrative. Mengiste, however, manages to find those images that immediately deepen the emotional and atmospheric contexts of the situations with a single line and brings the reader much closer to the characters and their interior world. Her characters are multifaceted, and while the Italians are obviously the villains, the Ethiopian protagonists aren't simply thoroughly gallant and enlightened heroes, but deeply flawed (Aster) and occasionally criminal (Kidane) people. It also highlights the immense and important contribution of women in the fight against colonialism, especially in Ethiopia. I also like that there isn't a romance or even some grand moment of understanding and forgiveness between Ettore and Hirut. Their situations are different and while he was definitely oppressed he was still a part of the attempted subjugation of her home country. It's a great read and I would highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Genocide, Sexual harassment, Antisemitism, Colonisation, and Death