louisejulig 's review for:

Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn

4.5

challenging dark informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I was torn about how to rate this book because although I appreciate what it is I didn’t like it that much. I had a hard time getting invested in these characters. But I also think that some of that might be because I come from white colonizer culture and there are barriers to me being able to inhabit as a reader indigenous Hawaiian characters for whom the effects of colonization are very much still present in their day to day lives. I also don’t in general read a lot of fiction. That said, I think this book is worth reading and would recommend it to anyone looking to increase the diversity of their bookshelf and get some glimpse into indigenous Hawaiian culture, which is very much at the forefront.