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A review by kaitie_reads
The Black Crescent by Jane Johnson
adventurous
funny
tense
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? No
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story wasn't exactly what I expected, I thought maybe there'd be some more magical realism with the mention of Djinns in the summary, but I enjoyed it all the same. This story also educated me on a topic I previously knew nothing about (the previous French Protectorate in Morocco), so that's always a bonus for me.
The story follows Hamou as he grapples with his own moral compass and is very much a coming to age tale but in a divided land. Hamou works as an officer under the French Protectorate and firmly believes in empathy and doing what is morally sound and just, but soon learns that the world is more complicated than right or wrong and good or evil. The author wrote the book in such a way that we can really feel his pain in being torn between two worlds when there is wrong and evil on both sides.
There were some parts that were slow to read, and I did struggle a little bit as there are many names, titles, and characters. I really liked the end of the book and thought the conclusion was well done. I also love an animal companion, and Madani, the cat, really added to the story for me - I loved the relationship between Hamou and his pet. I think Jane Johnson did a great job at making the story relatable and also adding in some humor.
Overall, it was a good read, and I was pleased to learn more about a culture that I'm not very familiar with and some of the history of its people.
This story wasn't exactly what I expected, I thought maybe there'd be some more magical realism with the mention of Djinns in the summary, but I enjoyed it all the same. This story also educated me on a topic I previously knew nothing about (the previous French Protectorate in Morocco), so that's always a bonus for me.
The story follows Hamou as he grapples with his own moral compass and is very much a coming to age tale but in a divided land. Hamou works as an officer under the French Protectorate and firmly believes in empathy and doing what is morally sound and just, but soon learns that the world is more complicated than right or wrong and good or evil. The author wrote the book in such a way that we can really feel his pain in being torn between two worlds when there is wrong and evil on both sides.
There were some parts that were slow to read, and I did struggle a little bit as there are many names, titles, and characters. I really liked the end of the book and thought the conclusion was well done. I also love an animal companion, and Madani, the cat, really added to the story for me - I loved the relationship between Hamou and his pet. I think Jane Johnson did a great job at making the story relatable and also adding in some humor.
Overall, it was a good read, and I was pleased to learn more about a culture that I'm not very familiar with and some of the history of its people.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Islamophobia, and Murder
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault