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fiifarts's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
spatterson12's review against another edition
3.0
A story that explores a person’s life after they died. This book just wasn’t for me until the last third. Stellar and visual storytelling, but the characters didn’t really get to have a chance at development and experiences until it was too late.
silasburke's review against another edition
4.5
Stark, immersive, and beautiful. Loved the friendships in this book! As ever, Akwaeke is an incredible incredible writer. I also appreciated the portrayal of a young AMAB gender variant person and the gendered discrimination/misogyny/transphobia they experience growing up.
The beginning of the first chapter in the book from the POV of the titular character really blew me away: “I felt heavy my whole life.
The beginning of the first chapter in the book from the POV of the titular character really blew me away: “I felt heavy my whole life.
I always thought that death would be the heaviest thing of all, but it wasn't, it really wasn't. Life was like being dragged through concrete in circles, wet and setting concrete that dried with each rotation of my unwilling body. As a child, I was light.
It didn't matter too much; I slid through it, and maybe it even felt like a game, like I was just playing in mud, like nothing about that slipperiness would ever change, not really. But then I got bigger and it started drying on me and eventually I turned into an uneven block, chipping and sparking on the hard ground, tearing off into painful chunks.”
sanaaindy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
2.5
I really enjoy this author’s style of storytelling, but I can’t rate it any higher- iykyk.
kayleyc's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
jediael12's review against another edition
5.0
Just finished reading this and my chest feels heavy. Akwaeke Emezi explores how good it feels to be seen, loved, and to never have grace extended to you.
oosahwtf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0