Reviews with content warning for Death - You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty

Reviews tagging 'Death'

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

475 reviews

bloomingbright22's review

emotional funny 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? Yes

3.75

I did have laugh out loud moments reading this book. I enjoyed the relationship between the main character Feyi and her best friend Joy. People complained that it was too messy but I didn’t think so. There is certainly drama and poor decision making and selfish acts but there is room to give the character grace as she’s learning how to love again and feel alive.

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vavocado's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-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

3.5

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harmonj3's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Horny, honest, somehow a happy ending! A beautiful exploration of the ways that grief reshapes each of us in so many different ways

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ekidow02's review

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emotional funny lighthearted 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

After reading Little Rot, I knew I had to pick up another light-hearted novel by Akwaeke Emezi. However, the romance in this book turned out to be a bit… messy! Still, I’ll definitely be reading more of Emezi’s work, as I love their writing style and how they weave compelling plots.

This romance novel was fascinating because it explores how grief, loss, and trauma can shape our capacity for emotional intimacy. Feyi, the protagonist, is that girl—bold, vulnerable, and unafraid to take risks—but she made some pretty questionable choices. Her love for Alim left me wondering: was it trauma bonding, or was she genuinely ready to make space for a new kind of love? Personally, I don’t think she did Nasir dirty; he didn’t fully express his feelings for her until later. However, Alim being his father? That’s where things got complicated, to say the least.

One of my favorite parts of the book was Joy’s character. She brought so much humor and lightness to Feyi’s otherwise tangled situation. That said, I docked one star because I wasn’t a big fan of the age-gap relationship—it just didn’t sit right with me.

Overall, this was a bold and messy exploration of love, healing, and second chances. While not perfect, it left me intrigued and eager to dive into more of Emezi’s works.

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_myliteraryobsession's review

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-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

3.0

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more_1415's review

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dark funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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helencantero's review

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dark hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes

4.75

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favbookwormash's review

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emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

3.5

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miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition

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sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really didnt hate this but i found the writing quite frustrating and i was made at joys ending
Also what the fuck is going on with the house???? There are monkeys on the grounds?? The walls are all glass?? Theres a garden with no doors to it?? CAN THE MONKEYS GET IN THE HOUSE???????????

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coolfoolmoon's review

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emotional hopeful medium-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

3.5

This is my last Emezi book, I’m up to date on all their works finally! I’m having a good time, not the greatest time, not the best time, but a good time.

This book also made me start a lesbian / sapphic reading list for a specific reason present in Emezi’s other books. This is about to become a review I don’t usually write, an actual critique of an author's work. Emezi’s talented at everything they do, no complaints there. It’s poignant to me, though, to have two bisexual characters who end up with the opposite sex. Of course bisexuals can end up with whoever but ALL of Emezi’s books are like that (I guess not the YA). This book could’ve been more powerful with a milf mommy. The book could’ve been more powerful if Alim explained to his kids that he previously chose them over another great love (the man he dated) and this person now reminded him that he shouldn’t’ve had to choose. But knowing what I know about Emezi, based on all of their books, they don’t care to explain things to people. Even in this book Feyi tells Nasir she doesn’t owe him that explanation. It happens in Freshwater with the Ala and their ex husband, I’m pretty sure it happens in Little Rot. This seems to be a fundamental feature of, if not Emezi’s mindset as a person (not me armchair diagnosing), Emezi’s writing style / themes that will always come up in their writing. A very “I don’t owe you anything” mindset. The only reason I don’t like it is because this could’ve enhanced the story, made way for more character exploration. This is so long.

Back to basics, I made the lesbian / sapphic reading list because this book frustrated me. Queer relationships aren't a gimmick, something for a bi girl to do with her player lesbian bestie, just for her to end up with a man in the end. Nor are queer relationships gateways for a man to be in a societally acceptable looking relationship in the end. The queer relationships in Emezi's books frustrated me to make the list because its' the same thing I would write as a teenager. It's just a little easter egg funny little tidbit that the female main character kisses and goes on dates with her lesbian best friend! But they;d never end up together! Her soulmate is a man! Very sad. Very frustrating. I don't do that anymore. This critique of Emezi is more of my own personal issue that bubbled up. I still love their work and still will continue reading but I wanted to voice my frustration for my future self who's gonna look back at my reviews and go "How did I feel about that one again? Oh yeah. Woof."

From my notes: Emezi writes sex a lot like Toni Morrison did, either the characters or very bored or it is deeply animalistic. I love it. Also my guess for the location of the island is Dominica. French influence, English speaking, near Antigua. I don't know if Dominica has mountains though... Also also love them name dropping their sister. I'd do it too!

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