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196books's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Blood, Pregnancy, Body horror, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
Minor: Sexual content and War
emk5's review against another edition
dark
tense
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Body horror, and Blood
annaavian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
In the diverse and vibrant culture of Hawai'i, female characters face unique challenges as they navigate their identities and try to harmonize traditional values with the reality of modern America. These women, ranging in age from teenagers to senior citizens, grapple with a range of issues such as gender roles, motherhood and body image, and must navigate the complexities of balancing multiple cultures. As they do so, they often encounter the spiritual energy and mysticism that permeates the island's legacy of ancestral warriors and mythical creatures, weaving magical realism and a sense of wonder into their individual journeys.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Blood, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Eating disorder
Minor: Abandonment, Cultural appropriation, and War
kirstym25's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Body shaming
mariaelinn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, Body horror, Medical content, and Pregnancy
mmccombs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
This short story collection was fine! I don’t think this will stay with me, there were some interesting ideas but the writing was pretty bland. I did enjoy the sense of place and learning a bit more about Native Hawaiian culture. Themes about womanhood and desire and extraction and bodies linked the stories. I didn’t really care for the constant fatphobia and wished for it to lean a bit harder into the horror element of some of these stories. Unsure if I would necessarily recommend this one, but do try it if you are interested in Hawaiian stories that are often strange and about how hard it is to exist as a woman.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Body horror, Abandonment, and Blood
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