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mochi21's review
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I thought this was going to be a multi generational story mostly surrounding the strength of a child bride as she lives her life serving the family of her adult husband and the strength of her addict grandson as he heals and grows.
I thought it would be a heavy read but not to this extent. This is borderline trauma port, except it's not even that because nobody is unhappy with their conditions, at least not for the right reasons.
The pacing and writing is actually quite beautiful but I cannot stomach the romanticization of forced child marriage or rape.
sujav is very clear that he believes he should own Mehar and when he rips her clothes off the first time they have sex when she believes he is her husband (which is unrealistic in its own right. Anybody who's had sex more than once can tell the difference between sexual partners) he is extremely clear that he wants to hurt her and the goal is to assault her.
In a world where children are still being sold to adults for marriage, this story depicts it in a positive light and for that reason, I can't give this book any higher than two stars.
Also, for all the beautiful writing, there is a lot of crass language, if you're offended by that kind of thing.
I thought it would be a heavy read but not to this extent. This is borderline trauma port, except it's not even that because nobody is unhappy with their conditions, at least not for the right reasons.
The pacing and writing is actually quite beautiful but I cannot stomach the romanticization of forced child marriage or rape.
In a world where children are still being sold to adults for marriage, this story depicts it in a positive light and for that reason, I can't give this book any higher than two stars.
Also, for all the beautiful writing, there is a lot of crass language, if you're offended by that kind of thing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
Minor: Pregnancy
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