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A review by luckykosmos
Rosewater by Tade Thompson
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.25
The action here felt a little slow, but by the end, wholly necessary - there's a lot of pieces being played with, and they have to be introduced carefully to keep a balance. In that regard, the story is DELICIOUS, figuring out what this world is shaped like and how these people fit together.
Some notes:
Some notes:
- Kaaro is a misogynist. This is commented on in the plot, something the author is fully aware of and makes sure the audience knows. I like reading books from points of view of 'bad' people, but it's worth keeping this in mind.
- Plus, it leads into note #2 - while people are rarely sexualized, there is a lot of sex, particularly when Molara shows up. It isn't frequently said in detail, but sometimes feels out of place, except for the personality Kaaro has built up. I never want to read the phrase 'fleshy baton' again.
- Because of the nature of the xenosphere, sections that take place between the real world and the xenosphere can be a little hard to follow, if it switches between the two quickly. Nonetheless, it's fascinating, and given the final act of the book, I want to know more about how all of this works.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Rape and Homophobia