Scan barcode
wellreadandhalfdead's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.75
Graphic: Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Incest, Violence, Slavery, Sexism, Rape, War, Torture, Religious bigotry, Hate crime, Genocide, and Blood
rnfortier's review
- 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
I found the prose to be choppy but it seemed almost reflective of Onye’s inner turmoil throughout her life. Still, it made getting through the book somewhat hard.
The book itself dealt with several important themes of slavery, genocide, rape, female mutilation, the list goes on. But at its center is the love between two people; a love that persists in the face of hatred and oppression.
The end has a ray of hope, but the path to get there is paved with graphic descriptions of the aforementioned themes.
Graphic: War, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Genocide, and Xenophobia
eclipse799's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Vomit, Sexual harassment, Child death, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Slavery, Classism, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Racism, Sexism, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, War, Xenophobia, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Hate crime, and Pregnancy
ramreads5's review
- 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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Genocide, Slavery, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Murder, Incest, Grief, Sexual violence, Rape, War, Classism, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Bullying, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Violence
juniperbranches's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Listen, if you are going to read this book there are a ton of trigger warnings. But, oh god is it worth it. This book is going to be one I think I about constantly. Please read it if you have the capacity.
Graphic: Sexual content, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Death, War, Murder, Violence, Religious bigotry, Rape, Vomit, Slavery, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Genocide, and Racism
stephanielee's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: War, Rape, Genocide, and Violence
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Rape, Hate crime, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Racism, Death, and Sexism
Moderate: Pregnancy, Alcohol, Slavery, Blood, Infidelity, Death of parent, Body shaming, Torture, Toxic relationship, Grief, Bullying, War, and Fire/Fire injury
Female genital mutilationritox's review
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: War, Genocide, and Sexual assault
bites_of_books's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Here we follow Onyesonwu throughout her life as she goes through many trials to find out exactly what it is that is her purpose. Onye is a child of rape and is discriminated against because of her mixed heritage, which can be easily seen on her features. Set in a far future Sudan, this novel still carries issues that have been known in the region, such as weaponized rape, child soldiers, violence against women, racism, etc.
I really appreciated how Okorafor built the spiritual and magical aspects of the story. In many ways, they reminded me of magical realism as well as showed me a completely different way to think about ancestors and the way that people can be connected via their spiritual beliefs.
Overall what it came down to were the characters. I love it when characters aren't just the idealized hero and the perfect side characters. They are all flawed in different ways, they might be stubborn, be incredibly impatient, or even let their carnal desires take over when they might need to prioritize other things in their lives.
All in all, if you want to see a completely different take on fantasy that features a strong woman and also strong supporting partner and companions, do check this out. Do take the content warnings seriously before reading though!
Graphic: Genocide, Gore, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Animal death, Blood, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, War, and Violence
aeglaeca's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Genocide, Rape, Slavery, Misogyny, Racism, Torture, and War