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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
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
enjoyed this. i wanted more development in a couple of areas, it could've used the standard "long fantasy novel" treatment, but this was very unique
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
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
absolutely amazing and gorgeous book. loved the language used and the foods mentioned. I'd urge you to read this one, and I'm very excited to try out akwaeke's adult fiction next
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Akwaeke Emezi never disappoints.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
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
I have a fondness for Emezi's work. It's always unique and thought-provoking. In this novel, the world is changed It feels like a post-apocalyptic Africa with a beautiful magic system to boot. Emezi shows off their incredible talent here with characters that feel full of life—from Somadina's fear of her own power to Nkadi's differences before and after her transformation. This is a beautiful story of life and death and the villain kind of reminds me of the one from <i>Farthest Shore</i>. There's this fear of losing it all, so they go to acquire more, whatever that might look like.
I like that this story has a variety of relationships, from family to friends to romance, but it never overstays its welcome in one place or another. You can tell that Somadina has a full life that gets disrupted by a crack in the facade of the magic system. There's also a very satisfying ending that I will not spoil.
Some quotes:
"There is no shame in healing your body."
"Sometimes I think people in a group can do more wickedness than one person alone. Everyone waits for someone else to do something, or they do nothing, or they do the wicked things together."
"Looking away doesn't make things disappear. They will always be there, just waiting."
"The wounds from our parents didn't have to be healed by our parents."
I like that this story has a variety of relationships, from family to friends to romance, but it never overstays its welcome in one place or another. You can tell that Somadina has a full life that gets disrupted by a crack in the facade of the magic system. There's also a very satisfying ending that I will not spoil.
Some quotes:
"There is no shame in healing your body."
"Sometimes I think people in a group can do more wickedness than one person alone. Everyone waits for someone else to do something, or they do nothing, or they do the wicked things together."
"Looking away doesn't make things disappear. They will always be there, just waiting."
"The wounds from our parents didn't have to be healed by our parents."
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Somadina - Akwaeke Emezi
I will always pick up a new Akwaeke Emezi book; and I am amazed how each and everyone is so very different from the other and yet they are all beautiful stories. Somadina is a YA fantasy story that follows twins Somadina and Jayaike in their journey towards adulthood and the reveal of their magical abilities. In a world where magic abilities appear in the same way puberty does, this story offers both a coming of age and a fantastical adventure with an amazing crew of characters.
When Somadina’s new found magical ability triggers the disappearance of her brother, she joins her grandfather, sister and best friend on a journey to find and rescue Jayaike. This journey will serve as a trial testing facets of trust among family and friends. Somadina is so beautifully written, the characters are unique and powerful and the love they have for each other is reflected throughout the story. With glimpses of West African folklore and mythology and LGBTQIA representation, Somadina is a gorgeous unique story I would recommend to anyone.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for my copy; all opinions are my own. Somadina is out now, and check out Akwaeke Emezi’s other latest release, Little Rot as well, they are very different reads but both amazing in their own way.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes