Reviews

You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

livlamentloathe's review against another edition

3.25

I would like to start this review by pointing out that most of the angry one-star reviewers are over the top. This is not a simple story with black-and-white characters. Although there are blurred lines, there is no cheating. I think context is important to this story—there is a lot going on underneath the obvious. And it’s easy as heck to judge from behind a computer a world away. There are real feelings displayed by the story. And I think the characters were equally real. 

I can’t tell if the lingo is just out of date or if the dialogue felt uneasy. There was a lot of slang that didn’t feel natural, BUT I’m very white and I know how white people will steal from black culture and burn it into the ground. So I cannot speak on it much, but it’s possible the lingo IS true to the characters, and I’ve just been burnt out on its use by other white people.

I think I wanted a bit more of a natural flow to the relationship between Feyi and Alim. They barely knew one another! I think the before: them joking or discussing things, etc. could’ve made it feel smoother. 

As it was, their relationship did seem unfair to pursue over his children. I was kind of with them. Although they were entirely unfair to Feyi. Nasir, especially, really frustrated me. He acted like a fuckboy when she didn’t deserve that. Also I’m annoyed with how the kids had handled (and continued to handle) their father’s sexuality.

All that aside, I think this was a lovely book about the tide of grief and loss. How it never goes away; just recedes temporarily. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Car accident, Biphobia, and Homophobia

zelinacarstens's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing 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

3.0

moll_ereads's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

fountain_of_book's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

teensyslews's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective relaxing tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

elianneyoung010's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

Such beautiful writing! I love dense romance that's different than expected <3

ellaluka's review against another edition

2.75

just finished this & I was actually v disappointed.. I had been looking forward to this for so long.. I’ve realised I just don’t like reading about rich people & their extravagant lifestyles.. whole thing seemed v far-fetched. 
also the same “should I, shoudn’t I” debate over & over

HOWEVER, the SMUT???!!! Excellent!!!! The kitchen scene! the mountain?!?? yes please & thank you! 🔥🔥🔥

sdillon's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

3.5

mimimilaa's review against another edition

4.0

I didn't want to put this down.

hyac1nthgirl's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted 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? No

4.5

i <3 feyi

reading her moving forward and acceptance of grief and all emotions was my favorite part of the book. i was refreshed by how mature she was throughout the book that i don't often see in romance. also... who doesn't love a little mess?!