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sonanomander's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.75
motherofladybirds's review
3.0
I read this at halloween because it is fantasy horror. The fantasy element was very gritty and immersive, based on African folklore. There was violence, sexual violence, child abuse and body horror, so no more or less than Greek myth or European fairy tales. I enjoyed the supernatural elements and the snarky interactions of the characters. I felt for Tracker on his chaotic journey. However, it was the chaotic nature of the story that I struggled with. The author did explain this and I understand that a narrative is a coherent but false presentation of life and life is messy and usually lacks overall purpose. Despite this, I was still constantly searching for that arc of meaning.
lobryan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
_kieralou's review against another edition
3.0
"You and I are the same, Mossi. When people call on us, we know we are about to meet evil. Lying, cheating, beating, wounding, murdering. My stomach is strong. But we still think monsters are the ones with claws, and scales and skin."
This book follows a man named Tracker, who is said to have a nose which can find anyone, as he is hired to find a boy who has been missing for three years along with his friend the Leopard and several other people, including others from his past. This was much more than I expected, with complex navigation through right and wrong, justice and vengeance. The rich fantasy setting is inspired by African history and mythology and the worldbuilding is excellent. There is also lots of gay representation and negotiation of gender which was really interesting to read.
Many of the characters are unlikeable but very well written which was done really well. Tracker, the narrator, was very unlikeable but I still enjoyed reading from his perspective. I really liked how the story unfolded, beginning with Tracker's childhood and coming of age instead of jumping straight into the search for the boy.
The last 100 pages or so felt unnecessary and rushed, and I feel would have done better to be another book in the series instead of at the end of the first book. A lot of the narrative was told through stories told by various characters to each other and I didn't particularly like this way of storytelling in the book. I feel that I didn't enjoy this as much as I might have because I had to rush to get it back to the library and had I been able to read at a slower pace I would have liked it much more.
I probably won't pick up the rest of the series, but I'm not saying never until we get more information on them.
This book follows a man named Tracker, who is said to have a nose which can find anyone, as he is hired to find a boy who has been missing for three years along with his friend the Leopard and several other people, including others from his past. This was much more than I expected, with complex navigation through right and wrong, justice and vengeance. The rich fantasy setting is inspired by African history and mythology and the worldbuilding is excellent. There is also lots of gay representation and negotiation of gender which was really interesting to read.
Many of the characters are unlikeable but very well written which was done really well. Tracker, the narrator, was very unlikeable but I still enjoyed reading from his perspective. I really liked how the story unfolded, beginning with Tracker's childhood and coming of age instead of jumping straight into the search for the boy.
The last 100 pages or so felt unnecessary and rushed, and I feel would have done better to be another book in the series instead of at the end of the first book. A lot of the narrative was told through stories told by various characters to each other and I didn't particularly like this way of storytelling in the book. I feel that I didn't enjoy this as much as I might have because I had to rush to get it back to the library and had I been able to read at a slower pace I would have liked it much more.
I probably won't pick up the rest of the series, but I'm not saying never until we get more information on them.
benton61's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
sad
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? Yes
4.0
d3monology's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
I wish it didn’t drag so much, especially at the ending, but what a lovely experience and a good meditation on what is the truth
dragonboot's review against another edition
It just wasn't the right time for me to read this
ripleytide's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hp_reading's review against another edition
4.0
This book was WOW. Not gonna lie, a lot of moments were very hard to read and not for the faint of hearts. There were so many moments that I almost put it down for good - most being along the line of gratuitous violence along the lines of Game of Thrones. But the more I read, the more I realized this violence had a purpose, like Chekhov’s gun, it wasn’t put in the plot for no reason. These character’s live in a violent world, behest by magical beasts and human nature at every turn. And yet.
Initially it was a very slow start. Partly why it took me so long to read is because of the graphic language, but also how intricately James builds the world. It takes a while. It’s worth it. I am in awe of how specific, vivid, original, and transporting the story becomes. If you like Game of Thrones but you’re tired of that world, I highly recommend. However, one was a lot for me so I might not invest in the other two in this trilogy.
Initially it was a very slow start. Partly why it took me so long to read is because of the graphic language, but also how intricately James builds the world. It takes a while. It’s worth it. I am in awe of how specific, vivid, original, and transporting the story becomes. If you like Game of Thrones but you’re tired of that world, I highly recommend. However, one was a lot for me so I might not invest in the other two in this trilogy.