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challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
I have been WAITING to see if a book would make my All-Time Favorites list this year. There have been many 2023 favorites and a few five-star picks, but I'm stingy. This is it. One of the best books I've read in a long time. I can't stop thinking about it. The research, the effort, the characters, the prose, the atmosphere - immaculate. This was my most anticipated release of last year but frankly it intimidated me so I didn't get around to it until now.
Don't let this book intimidate you like it did me. It's surprisingly approachable for having such a highbrow plot. The prose is wonderful without being purple, and the plot is moderately-paced, verging on slow, but never drags or feels like it should have been slimmed down.
This was such a good, complete story. The themes of colonialism and appropriation and racism were deep and well-discussed while still being ingrained within the plot and not shoehorned in. Such a wonderful, unique story told in a wonderful manner. I'm probably going to recommend it to every single reader I know.
Don't let this book intimidate you like it did me. It's surprisingly approachable for having such a highbrow plot. The prose is wonderful without being purple, and the plot is moderately-paced, verging on slow, but never drags or feels like it should have been slimmed down.
This was such a good, complete story. The themes of colonialism and appropriation and racism were deep and well-discussed while still being ingrained within the plot and not shoehorned in. Such a wonderful, unique story told in a wonderful manner. I'm probably going to recommend it to every single reader I know.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation
Moderate: Death, Sexism, War