Reviews tagging 'Racism'

The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker

32 reviews

katisreading's review

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book got DARK and I’ve gone back and forth about how I feel about it. Once I really got into it, I found it harder to put down, but I really didn’t like Ren in the last third of the book. It was cool to learn more about Japanese mythology though! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Racism

kylieqrada's review

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

• 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

5.0

Um ok, but, Kylie???? There is no way that this is your debut!!!!!!! I was absolutely just enthralled by this one. Like, couldn't put it down, ignoring all phone notifications, my left hip hurts from sitting badly on the couch, super hungry past time for lunch, enthralled. If you like morally gray characters, biracial bad-asses, Japanese folklore, and/or action-packed journeys to find oneself, you will like this. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Abandonment, Animal death, and Racism

Minor: Bullying, Child death, and Death of parent

betweentheshelves's review

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• 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? Yes

4.0

Ooo this was dark! And full of Japanese mythology. If you're looking for a book that has a morally gray main character who does some questionable things, this is the book for you. Baker does an excellent job creating this world and pulling you in with these characters. The entire book is atmospheric and engaging.

I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator absolutely helped make the story for me. She pulled me into Ren's story and helped with the world building and enchanting nature of the story. With that ending, I can't wait for the second book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Abandonment, Animal death, and Racism

Minor: Bullying, Child death, and Death of parent

kilic's review

challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Violence

maya_reads_books's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, and Death

Minor: Sexual content

samschub214's review

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Racism and Sexism

shadesofkate26's review

dark emotional 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

5.0

Really enjoyed the sibling relationship. Liked the mythology and historical setting. Overall enjoyed this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Animal death, Racism, and Child abuse

yamoksauce's review

dark emotional 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

5.0

Well. That was an absolute banger. I need the sequel immediately.

Seriously: The Keeper of Night is excellent. The writing is both enchantingly beautiful and nauseatingly gruesome. THE BODY HORROR IS REAL. The characters are legitimately morally gray: they mess up, they mess up bad, they mess up and they're okay with it. The story moves quickly, but never rushes; and it had that moment where I was like, Ok, I'm calling off the rest of tonight's plans, because I NEED TO FINISH THIS BOOK.

Most importantly: this book is a powerful, heartbreaking examination of the unique racism that biracial people face and the extent to which people will go to feel like they belong. Even in the fantastic realm of Reapers and Shinigami and other Gods-of-Death, the analogy is crystal clear. Kylie Lee Baker pours her heart and soul into this novel and I am so lucky to have read it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Racism, and Violence

amandalorianxo's review

adventurous dark emotional sad tense slow-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

3.75

I love that this took on Japanese mythology in a manner I have never read before. As much as I like Greek myths, it’s wonderful to see and learn about other countries myths even if it’s through the lens of a fictional novel. This is definitely a mix of plot and character based with a vast amount of world building during the first 1/4 of the book. Ren and her brother come to life, whether you are reading and listening to the audiobook or simply just reading on your own. She is not your typical heroine, more of a grey spectrum but I definitely felt for her when it came to the raw feelings of not being good enough or wanted. I’m excited for the second book. I think my only concern is it felt slow but the pace picked up once the duo were safely in Japan.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Blood

Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs

Minor: Grief

lynneliu's review

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Cannibalism and Death of parent