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henrybirdie's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
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
3.0
A really unique and interesting premise with so much potential, had it not been so interminably long and drawn out. The pacing is VERY slow….chapters upon chapters with very little progression that are then punctuated by quick bursts of action with a frustrating lack of resolution. There are multiple major plot points that don’t feel fully fleshed out and are kind of just left in the dust while the author (slowly) marches towards the next big moment. I’m impressed by the intricate way the author weaves a multitude of languages into the story line and the magical realism / dark academia is right up my alley. But man…this probably could have been half as long and I’d have enjoyed it twice as much.
molliesafran's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
The idea is incredible and the descriptions lovely. Would have been a 5 star book if it were 200 pages shorter. There was no need for the book to be this long- the pacing was so slow in paces I had to force myself to keep reading. The anti-colonial message is done so well through metaphor and plot, that it became absurd how much the author banged it over your head in diatribes every three pages. If she trusted the reader more it would have been less preachy and more impactful.
juliecantread's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
whyamikai's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I liked reading a book where languages and translation are such an important part for the plot. What I didn’t like is that it felt predictable at times, like there were parts where I could predict something important was about to happen. And I even had a pretty accurate prediction of how the book was going to end when I had read just like 30% of it.
andreacoryn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
tinadls's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
4.25
anjugrao's review against another edition
5.0
I've never read anything like this in my life. Absolutely stunning from start to finish and touches on so many aspects of colonialism, inequity, systemic racism and the struggle to survive and live. Top 5 book for me
eliza_cat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
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
5.0
read_mo's review against another edition
5.0
-second half of the book goes CRAZY
-the language shit is so smart
-i cried 3 times oops
-the language shit is so smart
-i cried 3 times oops