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zedohee's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
while this isn’t a new take on the genre, the black lesbian angle—which this novella lovingly explored with bright, endearing characters whose affection for each other felt lasting and true—adds unique depth and complexity, freshening up a well known premise. switching between the 19th and 20th century, loving safoa examines the relationship between captor and victim, lover and maker, and what it means to be alive, to stake your claim in a world that would rather you not exist at all.
and although safoa had the more exciting backstory, i found cynthia’s POV to be more compelling, not only because the love she had for safoa was palpable and affecting, but because it seemed like safoa’s story was whittled down to the essentials in order to fit into the constraints of a novella. same as the ending, which was ambitious, but didn’t really land like it would have had this been a full novel, given the space to elaborate on their adventures. i appreciate that the author told the story she wanted and didn’t stretch it just because but i still wanted more.
and although safoa had the more exciting backstory, i found cynthia’s POV to be more compelling, not only because the love she had for safoa was palpable and affecting, but because it seemed like safoa’s story was whittled down to the essentials in order to fit into the constraints of a novella. same as the ending, which was ambitious, but didn’t really land like it would have had this been a full novel, given the space to elaborate on their adventures. i appreciate that the author told the story she wanted and didn’t stretch it just because but i still wanted more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Racism
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