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noranne's review against another edition
3.0
So I tried the first book in this series and bounced off it pretty hard, but I heard the second book could be read on its own, so I decided to give it a shot. I'm glad I did, as it was much easier for me to get into and I could somewhat follow what was happening. I will say I do not think this is a great choice for audiobook. The narrator is great, but I have a harder time following things and this was very long and dense and I definitely missed a few things here and there along the way that I probably would have picked up if I was reading. Also the audiobook is so damn long that even listening on 1.5x speed and listening basically every day, my library loan ended before I finished and I had to wait on hold again!
The story focuses on Sogolon, the "Moon Witch" (not a witch). I was a bit confused at first but then it seemed like a recognizable plot was emerging and then BAM no that's not it...sorry, Eminy. Towards the end/late middle, she finally intersects with the characters I recognized from what I read of the first book (Tracker, Leopard, and the mingy children). This may have benefited from actually finishing the first book, as I could tell some things were being skipped over and that there was more story there from other POVs. Not quite enough to make me want to wade back in book 1 though!
Anyway, I'm glad I read this one. Definitely some interesting characters, although they're all intensely flawed which made it a little hard to engage at times. Like one nice person would have been too much to ask?? Also this book is very crude, which doesn't usually bother me but I got pretty sick of hearing about everybody's "coo", especially as every time I was vividly aware this was written by a man.
The story focuses on Sogolon, the "Moon Witch" (not a witch). I was a bit confused at first but then it seemed like a recognizable plot was emerging and then BAM no that's not it...sorry, Eminy. Towards the end/late middle, she finally intersects with the characters I recognized from what I read of the first book (Tracker, Leopard, and the mingy children). This may have benefited from actually finishing the first book, as I could tell some things were being skipped over and that there was more story there from other POVs. Not quite enough to make me want to wade back in book 1 though!
Anyway, I'm glad I read this one. Definitely some interesting characters, although they're all intensely flawed which made it a little hard to engage at times. Like one nice person would have been too much to ask?? Also this book is very crude, which doesn't usually bother me but I got pretty sick of hearing about everybody's "coo", especially as every time I was vividly aware this was written by a man.
marymaryhelen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
heathenhuffle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
agillen93's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
heelturn2's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.75
i feel like someone just fired a shotgun into my chest. brutal & sad. brings really interesting new depth to the first book. amazing narrator, deeply unlikeable in Black Leopard, Red Wolf and made human, understandable if hugely flawed here. Tracker is a villain in Sogolon’s story as she’s a villain in his. they both have their own motives & perspectives in telling their stories. they’re so similar in so many ways. extremely tragic characters, fuck!!!
ddillon154's review against another edition
4.0
I find Sogolon a more compelling protagonist than the Tracker. Perhaps it is from already having the world built in the first book, or maybe James has hit a stride, but I felt like this was much more character driven and less "aspiring to be epic."
sepptb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
classy4116's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
ravaviera's review
I just could not get past how slow everything was moving. Plus the constant torture of women (plot related and a theme in the novel so not necessarily a bad thing) it felt as if Sogalan had zero growth. I was driving listening to the audiobook. When they took the King's sister and Sogalan away because of the red key I just couldn't do it anymore.