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rhanasaurus's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
marcella's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Torn on my review because I love reading comics and this one is no exception. Gorgeous art, flowing narrative, it's captivating and I have never read another story like this. But the other reviews bring up lots of issues about representation. I thought many characters were fleshed-out and nuanced, but they still conform to a lot of unflattering stereotypes. It's hard to unequivocally recommend a beautiful book that doesn't question so many assumptions.
Graphic: Rape
taylor29harty's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Whew! While I do not agree with banning books and censorship, I can UNDERSTAND why this book was challenged / banned in schools. I, as an adult, was not prepared for the graphic images of (TW) rape, castration, child neglect, and more. I also didn't totally "get it". Was it just about sexual awakening and exploration? Is anyone else grossed out that Dodola was Zam's mother, then sister, then...lover? The ambiguous timeline really threw me off. While I can see that it was purposefully done in this way I do wish that it had been a little more clear WHY it was done this way. Is it a critique on industrialization and technological advancement? Like I said, I just don't get it. I need to do a little bit more research on the meanings I may have missed and why the author (from small town Wisconsin) chose to tell a story of two young former slaves in this Arabic society.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, and Religious bigotry
blueblips's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I love this book and the way it touches upon so many things at the same time, the way it portrays very difficult and wry situations in a very digestible way. I remember the thing that stood out to me most when I read it (already a good couple of years ago) was the inclusion of both biblical stories and stories from the Qur'an and the way they are interweaved into the character's stories.
That said, the story is very long and complicated, so it really took me a while to get through it. Worth it though.
That said, the story is very long and complicated, so it really took me a while to get through it. Worth it though.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Rape, Slavery, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Trafficking
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