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smartieplanet's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
berbs's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
notsamwilson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A good conclusion to a duology so full of life and color. I enjoyed the extension into West African mythology; more was explained about creatures that weren’t Orisa. The character development with Simi and Kola was satisfying to see as they both came to terms with decisions made in Skin of the Sea and the con consequences of them. This book extended on the strength of the people in West Africa and how much their faith influences them. It makes me want to read more about these cultures. Thankfully, the author but a list in the back of the book for further reading.
nika_7490's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ruthiek's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
quinzelle's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The book was...fine. I preferred the first book and honestly, I think the first book would have been great as a standalone. Book 2 felt really rushed. There wasn't a lot of character development and the book is very plot heavy. The inclusion of West African mythos again is very very cool. Yinka and her bultungin pack were fucking amazing and I wish we'd had more moments between Simi and Yinka. Also weren't Bem and Yinka married??? And yet they didn't interact really at all in book 2 which I thought was odd. Overall, the book is fine if a little rushed in parts. The plot twist was predictable (especially given the same plot twist was used in Book 1 where the gravitas was a little more). I think if the book had been longer and there'd been more development, especially with Simi's time in the Land of the Dead and her relationship with Olokun, and developing her relationship with Esu when they're finally out of the Land of the Dead, would have given the book the extra bump it needed. Overall, a solid 3.75.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery
_uglysweater_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
impalingheaven's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not quite as sweeping as the first book, but a nice follow up and conclusion to Mermaids and Orisa. The first 2/3 is slow and a lot of recapping feels like with not a lot more added to the story. The last 1/3 really picked up and was satisfying.
grace_muriithi's review against another edition
4.0
I preferred the first book more than this sequel, but it did a great job tying up the loose ends from the first book. I felt as though the part with Kola being an orisha was slightly the author trying to put the two in their "happily ever after", but I wasn't too mad about that. This book did a great job noting how the tribes were pitted against each other because of the influence of the white man, which also took place historically today. I love a good fantasy novel, so this was enjoyable to me!