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minidutchie's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
missbear's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-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? No
2.75
I picked this up for my bookclub, which I'm happy about — it feels like the sort of book I might appreciate a little more after having discussed it in a group. I was somewhat drawn to it due to the setting — I do really enjoy a book with a strong sense of place and I especially appreciate a setting that is less familiar to me to add to my Reading Around the World map (shout out to the one other book I've read set in Trinidad: [book:The Bread the Devil Knead|57809811]). But in general, I wouldn't say that the summary was especially interesting to me, especially the emphasis on romance, which I've never felt particularly drawn to.
I'll start with the positives. I really enjoyed the writing style — I tend to enjoy books that are written in dialect like this and I think this one was well done. I was right to anticipate the sense of place, which was described in a rich and compelling way. I enjoyed the magical realism, especially the interactions between Yejide and her family members. And I loved the messages around sexuality and pleasure in this book, that was a lovely and unexpected treat!
However, I didn't find the plot very compelling, meaning that I kind of had to force myself to remember to pick this book up every day. The pacing is slow and you realize early on that the plot is mainly arching towards Yejide and Darwin meeting and beginning their romance. As I said above, that's not a plot device that I'm very drawn to. And if I was going to be drawn in by it, I would have liked to see a lot more tension between the couple with regard to their different religious/cultural beliefs, which the book sets up to be a huge potential incompatibility, but is solved entirely through the power of love. I enjoyed the tension between Yejide and her family (though I would have liked the book to dig into that more too, especially how it's solved), but there's almost no tension in the romantic relationship at all — the only conflicts are entirely external and easily resolvable.
Overall, pretty good for a book I didn't pick for myself, and a debut on top of that! But also some predictable problems (successfully predicted by the Storygraph's AI software, might I add, which warned me that I might not like the romance!)
I'll start with the positives. I really enjoyed the writing style — I tend to enjoy books that are written in dialect like this and I think this one was well done. I was right to anticipate the sense of place, which was described in a rich and compelling way. I enjoyed the magical realism, especially the interactions between Yejide and her family members. And I loved the messages around sexuality and pleasure in this book, that was a lovely and unexpected treat!
However, I didn't find the plot very compelling, meaning that I kind of had to force myself to remember to pick this book up every day. The pacing is slow and you realize early on that the plot is mainly arching towards Yejide and Darwin meeting and beginning their romance. As I said above, that's not a plot device that I'm very drawn to. And if I was going to be drawn in by it, I would have liked to see a lot more tension between the couple with regard to their different religious/cultural beliefs, which the book sets up to be a huge potential incompatibility, but is solved entirely through the power of love. I enjoyed the tension between Yejide and her family (though I would have liked the book to dig into that more too, especially how it's solved), but there's almost no tension in the romantic relationship at all — the only conflicts are entirely external and easily resolvable.
Overall, pretty good for a book I didn't pick for myself, and a debut on top of that! But also some predictable problems (successfully predicted by the Storygraph's AI software, might I add, which warned me that I might not like the romance!)
liebelle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
mapauacero's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-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
I can’t stop thinking about this book. Absolutely captivating.
szandi48's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
shewriteswithknives's review against another edition
3.0
This was another book I had to DNF after 120 pages. I always give books at least 100 pages to grasp my interest and this one didn't do it for me. I hate that I'm having to put down another popular book, but the writing style made it difficult for me to read and enjoy.
The concept of the book sounds absolutely fantastic and I did enjoy the beginning describing where the birds came from and how they changed. But after that it dragged on a bit for me and I could not gain interest in either of the main characters.
While this book wasn't for me, it doesn't mean it's not for you! Perhaps I'll give it another go down the road.
The concept of the book sounds absolutely fantastic and I did enjoy the beginning describing where the birds came from and how they changed. But after that it dragged on a bit for me and I could not gain interest in either of the main characters.
While this book wasn't for me, it doesn't mean it's not for you! Perhaps I'll give it another go down the road.
sp0resdruid's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-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? No
4.5
Amazing story! Slow burn but once it picks up, keeps you hooked and on the edge till the culmination.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Murder
dominiquefragments's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
This book is a breath of fresh air! One of a kind in so many ways. I fell in love with the characters and the story. Can't wait to read more from this author.