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luciuh's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Very fun good book but the vibes r def 3.5 stars for me immediately after finishing it. I really really enjoyed the writing style and the characterization of the individuals presented throughout the book. It’s immensely entertaining to read the hypocrisy of Zuelika and come to understand her as a person through the different fragments of life that play out for us throughout the novel. This is my second novel from Evaristo and i’ve found she’s immensely skilled at creating believable, flawed, and interesting characters. The Emperor’s Babe raises a lot of questions about patriarchy and the way it affects how relationships form, both historically and now in the contemporary world. It also creates discussion surrounding morality, empathy, and the impact of environment on how people grow and develop. Really enjoyed this novel.
edit: i think it’s mildly transphobic through one of the side characters
edit: i think it’s mildly transphobic through one of the side characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Gore, Pedophilia, Sexual content, and Slavery
bethsbookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.75
This is the most unique book that I've ever read, but then again, it's my first experience reading a novel in verse. But the whole time, I felt honoured to be reading something so beautiful, so graphic, so charming, so brutally honest, so raw, so well-written.
It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the poetic writing, but once you learn the author's style, it's simply the most lovely thing. Mix that with the brutal content and graphic scenes of the book, and it's truly something so jarring (in a good way).
I absolutely loved watching the main character explore her sexuality and take ownership of it throughout the novel. The sex scenes were so original, too. The author really knows how to play with language.
I recommend this book, especially for first time novel-in-verse readers. It's incredible.
It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the poetic writing, but once you learn the author's style, it's simply the most lovely thing. Mix that with the brutal content and graphic scenes of the book, and it's truly something so jarring (in a good way).
I absolutely loved watching the main character explore her sexuality and take ownership of it throughout the novel. The sex scenes were so original, too. The author really knows how to play with language.
I recommend this book, especially for first time novel-in-verse readers. It's incredible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, and Murder
Minor: Toxic relationship
honestlyholly's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
fast-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
4.25
I've never been a fan of poetry; I hated it at school. Perhaps if this book has been on the curriculum, I'd have liked it more!
This was such an eclectic mix of Roman rule in London and modern sensibilities. You have a pre-teen Nubian girl marrying and old, rich man who locks her away, and then it follows her life on-and-off until she reaches adulthood.
The ending is not what I expected but I understood it. I questioned her choices leading up to this ending, and couldn't help but feel frustrated that things didn't work out differently, but it was apt for the time, I think.
This was such an eclectic mix of Roman rule in London and modern sensibilities. You have a pre-teen Nubian girl marrying and old, rich man who locks her away, and then it follows her life on-and-off until she reaches adulthood.
The ending is not what I expected but I understood it. I questioned her choices leading up to this ending, and couldn't help but feel frustrated that things didn't work out differently, but it was apt for the time, I think.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Murder
Minor: Confinement, Death, Gore, Infertility, and Blood
hardcoverhearts's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Vomit
This book takes place in London when Romans occupied it and it was called Londinium. There is a brutal and horrific coliseum scene of death for sport in all sorts of forms. It’s powerful and effective in how it impacts the narrator. But rough to read.