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caprivoyant's review against another edition
This was a beautiful story: a touching, family-focused, character-driven novel. It was moving and compassionate and kind. It also has one of the only good scenes representing lactose intolerance I've ever read (with a mostly minor side character) that shows that people with intolerances are still loveable and funny. 🩷
However! I did have a 1 problem with the content of the book and learned later that the marketing for the book/author was disingenuous. ⬇️
Content problem: There is no need to use the r-word.
Marketing problem: Apparently this book was marketed at a Native Hawai'ian story — the marketing also implied that the author himself is Native Hawai'ian. It might have been inspired by Native Hawai'ian myths, but this is not representative of Native Hawai'ian culture or beliefs (found this with a quick Google).
So! Read with care/caution if you choose to read at all. I didn't know. Now I know.
However! I did have a 1 problem with the content of the book and learned later that the marketing for the book/author was disingenuous. ⬇️
Content problem: There is no need to use the r-word.
Marketing problem: Apparently this book was marketed at a Native Hawai'ian story — the marketing also implied that the author himself is Native Hawai'ian. It might have been inspired by Native Hawai'ian myths, but this is not representative of Native Hawai'ian culture or beliefs (found this with a quick Google).
So! Read with care/caution if you choose to read at all. I didn't know. Now I know.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Grief, Medical content, Death, Pregnancy, Animal death, Child death, and Drug use
Minor: Sexual assault, Alcohol, Cancer, and Sexual content
mpswans1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kaykal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
nickscoby's review against another edition
3.0
I mostly enjoyed it but I didn't finish the very end because I was just exhausted and it felt like the plot was spinning in place. I love the multi-perspectives and think that sections of the book would make great classroom discussions.
zias's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed the story of this book and I liked the story that it told of a family traveling through their journey of grief. The characters felt real and I enjoyed the mythical facet to this modern book. I also loved the rich and interesting descriptions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
victoriadiesattheend's review against another edition
3.0
?????? I don't know how to feel. Many parts were beautifully written, poetic, engaging. The last 25% was probably my favorite and the most interesting to read. I ended up getting annoyed at each of the characters since each chapter is a glimpse into their lives/thoughts... but maybe that was the point. The writing was a good mix of casual and poetic. I think I would've enjoyed the book better as an audiobook and if I understood more about Hawaii and it's history/language? The last chapters would have been much less confusing if I was versed on Hawaiian beliefs and culture. I already feel like I didn't get enough closure with the characters. I kind of want to read it again already to try to understand more? It was heartbreaking in a strange way.
annalwaring21's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
lisatierney's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
melodys_library's review against another edition
3.0
Slow start. By 40%, I was ready to throw in the towel. I loathed the teenage drama and sibling rivalry, and wished the whole novel would have been written from Malia (the mother’s) perspective. I read that this is the author’s first foray into adult fiction, but it still read much like a YA novel to me. Tragedy and more mysticism hit the Flores family and piqued my interest around 50%. I powered through reasonably quickly. I liked the pull of the mystery of the land and the family that was bound to it. However, I don’t do well with open endings.
dahyol's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0