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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Gave this a really good go but I think ultimately it's just not for me (but it's not bad!)
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Trafficking, Colonisation
Very descriptive, but hard to follow. Everything has so many names, and a name may translate to a concept that's not fully investigated till 3/4 of the way through. Very poetry-like (which, admittedly, isn't my strong suit) with short sentences that jump around and questions that are left unanswered, even mid-dialogue. The plot is interesting though, and it's a fully fleshed-out, novel world.
adventurous
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The writing and storytelling in this book is so beautiful. Awa and Djola’s stories are so special
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Grief
Slow burn is an understatement, but was enjoyable nonetheless
The language is absolutely lush and gorgeous. But at 33% I have absolutely no idea what is going on. DNF.
adventurous
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
One of the things Hairston does so well is write the way that trauma can alter character's personalities, and the way they interact with others. So many fantasy authors put their characters through hell and never address how that might affect their psyche in the long term, or have their characters bounce back to normal to move the plot along. And I'm not saying that's wrong, but the way this author chose to address that in the instance of two main characters seeing each other again after a long separation was agonizing as a reader in the best way. Because while you cheer for their reunion they have to deal with their own grief, trauma, wariness, etc before they can even think about moving forward together.
And for everyone complaining they didn't understand what was going on... I see y'all eating up these white authors with convoluted ass plots, let's use our reading comprehension and open our minds to new styles of storytelling, yeah?
And for everyone complaining they didn't understand what was going on... I see y'all eating up these white authors with convoluted ass plots, let's use our reading comprehension and open our minds to new styles of storytelling, yeah?