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tariana's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
What an intense book! I had no idea about the history of Jamaica, now I’m about to deep dive on it. The only reason for giving it 4 stars is that I though the end confusing: how did Gillian knew where to find Irie when it says that Irie itself didn’t know where the club was? Also it doesn’t explain how Kojo died, how Gillian’s family heard about her death, how they reacted, if they retaliated somehow, and why the radio station was called Irie?
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Murder, Racism, Sexual harassment, Classism, Death of parent, Trafficking, Toxic friendship, Police brutality, and Colonisation
umibozus's review
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I enjoyed the first half of the book, by the second half I wasn't rooting for their relationship at all - especially Jilly. I originally read because it was marketed as a lesbian story, but both Irie & jilly had men they had crushes on as well - or at least that how it was alluded throughout? Jilly's character was awful to her supposed best friend. Her dying made no sense, it was if she had a revelation about her parents being evil just because she found out her father hired bad men, but they were evil before that....she didn't care how they treated irie. Her complacency was double sided. The end got very dramatic on election night. Suddenly Jilly is looking for Irie, Irie's father was killed, her sister got trafficked, she "rescued" her then boom 15 years later....the POV throughout also switched from Irie to Jilly, but then her sister for like 2 chapters, it was unnecessary and took away from the little interest I had left for this book at the end.
I did listen to the audiobook, I skipped the singing sections, but it was cool to hear and I liked that concept (I just personally get a cringe feeling so I couldn't).
I really wish I liked this book more, but it fell short and missed several marks for me. I will definitely try to read Asha's other work(s)
I did listen to the audiobook, I skipped the singing sections, but it was cool to hear and I liked that concept (I just personally get a cringe feeling so I couldn't).
I really wish I liked this book more, but it fell short and missed several marks for me. I will definitely try to read Asha's other work(s)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Gun violence, War, Grief, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Drug abuse, Colonisation, Death of parent, and Murder
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