A review by megannewsome
The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste

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

3.25

Sometimes I wish I had an English degree because I want to be able to describe why some poetic prose is beautiful and other times the flowery, "lyrical" language is exhausting and monotonous. I was so interested in the background behind the book, in the history it told, that I kept going, thinking surely I would get to the part where I'd see why this book is so revered. But it never captured me. I kept wanting to know more about Hirut, to share more time with her so that the tension, despair, and hope she made me feel would be matched with a better understanding of her, which would have made me feel attached to her after the book ended. But much like a historical photo, she's mostly still a stranger to me. And that was the best character! I just think so much time was spent on flowery phrases and long-winded descriptions of the same object or landscape over and over. And the praise for the book just had me excited for something more. I definitely still felt awe for the history it was unraveling, which is a testament to how impressively the author researched. The time spent studying photos certainly translated to the page. Mengiste succeeds at painting a picture. I just wanted a deeper story, too.
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