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diar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Slavery and Rape
turnoverthepage's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Not only did she explore generation after generation across two families but she managed to make each new narrator a fully fleshed out character in such a short space of time.
The book is challenging and obviously I can't say it is a pleasant read but the way the story is woven is incredible and it's a book I'm very glad to have read and have on my shelf. Will definitely be picking up Transcendent Kingdom.
Graphic: War, Violence, Torture, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, Racism, Slavery, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Infertility, Racial slurs, and Infidelity
laurenmaria422's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Slavery, Police brutality, Infidelity, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Rape, Racism, Kidnapping, War, Violence, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
sangsmiles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Slavery, Colonisation, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Rape
Moderate: Addiction
caldobotanico's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual violence, Drug abuse, Trafficking, Slavery, and Rape
Minor: Child death and Suicidal thoughts
kissmelicia's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Sexism, Slavery, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Rape
Moderate: Misogyny, Pregnancy, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Animal death, Violence, and Religious bigotry
madelinedalton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Violence, Slavery, Sexual violence, Colonisation, Racism, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Death and Addiction
def_ni's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Rape, and Colonisation
Moderate: Mental illness and Drug abuse
spicycronereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
By telling the story of sisters whose paths diverge and their subsequent generations, the author paints a vivid portrait of how the violence of the trans-Atlantic slave trade continues to haunt the descendants of those enslaved and those left behind to deal with the legacies of British Imperialism. Each chapter follows a different line of descent from Effia and Esi, the aforementioned sisters. As a result you don’t get complex development of any one character but you do see the development of generational trauma, family healing, and love.
There are a couple of moderately graphic SA scenes told in third person. These are not gratuitous, nor are they done in some kind misguided way in which “historical accuracy” is used as an excuse to deploy SA as a prop for character development. The scenes align with the violence of the slave trade and you cannot tell this story without acknowledging the many forms of reproductive violence, including SA.
Overall this is a beautiful and devastating read.
Graphic: Addiction, Pregnancy, Rape, Racism, Slavery, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury