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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
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
This novel is quite different, but I really enjoyed it. The characters are so well developed and the story is interesting. I also love the Big Island of Hawaii.
My biggest critique for this book is that it was wordy at times. The prose was lovely but sometimes it went on for longer than it needed, I think.
That said, this book tugged at my heartstrings in a major way. The alternating narration allowed me to really feel for each person and their experiences, and put that in perspective when we see them through others eyes.
CW: death/loss, grief, colonialism/imperialism, poverty, drug abuse, sexual assault (mention)
That said, this book tugged at my heartstrings in a major way. The alternating narration allowed me to really feel for each person and their experiences, and put that in perspective when we see them through others eyes.
CW: death/loss, grief, colonialism/imperialism, poverty, drug abuse, sexual assault (mention)
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is all about relationships. Nainoa's relationship to himself and his power to help others, Dean's relationship to his family and basketball, and Kaui's relationship to Van. These relationships change over time and effect these kids and others around them. The Flores family also experiences the changing relationships between them all as time goes on and things change.
I listened to this on audiobook and each character's chapter was narrated by a different voice, which helped a lot. It let me keep track of the characters and helped me understand them better. I also appreciated the audio for providing the correct pronounciations of things. Each character is so different and going through their own struggles that you cannot compare stories, but have to instead watch each of them going on living in their own way.
This book is definitely different from a lot of what I read. I appreciated the glimpse into Hawaii'n culture and society. I liked how each character was themselves, but still battled to find their identity in place and the ending did not resolve all these battles. The book did fall a little flat for me. I had some difficulty following the points Washburn was trying to get across. I felt lost a couple of times and it took me a while to get back to the story. I wouldn't call this magical realism; instead it felt like fiction with a mythological base. Some people will love this books, others won't find any appeal in it. I'm kind of neutral. I'm glad I read it because it is interesting, but I won't be shouting from the rooftops about it.
I listened to this on audiobook and each character's chapter was narrated by a different voice, which helped a lot. It let me keep track of the characters and helped me understand them better. I also appreciated the audio for providing the correct pronounciations of things. Each character is so different and going through their own struggles that you cannot compare stories, but have to instead watch each of them going on living in their own way.
This book is definitely different from a lot of what I read. I appreciated the glimpse into Hawaii'n culture and society. I liked how each character was themselves, but still battled to find their identity in place and the ending did not resolve all these battles. The book did fall a little flat for me. I had some difficulty following the points Washburn was trying to get across. I felt lost a couple of times and it took me a while to get back to the story. I wouldn't call this magical realism; instead it felt like fiction with a mythological base. Some people will love this books, others won't find any appeal in it. I'm kind of neutral. I'm glad I read it because it is interesting, but I won't be shouting from the rooftops about it.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Bonne lecture avec un mélange de culture hawaïenne et du deuil. Pas toujours simple à suivre et à comprendre avec les changements de pdv, le parler hawaïen et une syntaxe qui suit la pensée du personnage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
This was beautiful and heartbreaking and bittersweet and maybe a little uplifting right at the end.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.25
i’ve been in a massive reading slump and this… didn’t help. i feel like this book did nothing new concept wise. like sure the gods, but ok… and then what??
i’ve been in a massive reading slump and this… didn’t help. i feel like this book did nothing new concept wise. like sure the gods, but ok… and then what??
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Homophobia
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious