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3littlewordz's reviews
178 reviews
Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The subtitle for this book could be "Oh look! It's the consequences of your actions."
I immediately dubbed this a well-written trainwreck - so much happened very quickly and kept happening at breakneck speed. I haven't read a fast-paced story like this in a long time, and I appreciated needing to cover up the next sentence or paragraph on a page to prevent an accidental spoiler.
The sex was gratuitous but didn't seem needlessly gratuitous until the scene between Souraya and Ahmed in Souraya's bedroom. There are also loose ends I need answers to:
1. The sexual plot between Ijendi and Aima seemed... forced to me. Was there some type of interaction between them, some type of tension that would lead the reader to believe that this would happen? At my drunkest and highest this would have never happened between me and any of my friends.
2. What was the relationship between Thursday and the bartender? Why did he need to follow Ahmed to deliver this news? Was this planned by Thursday?
3. Did Ahmed find Ruqiyyah to demand an explanation (or worse) as to why Seun was even able to record the sex tape and attempt to blackmail Ahmed? Was Ruqiyyah in on it??
This would probably be great as a limited series on Starz...sex, violence, betrayal - it has all of it! There were several plotholes for me, hence my rating BUT I thought it was very well-written so I will check out more of the author's work.
I immediately dubbed this a well-written trainwreck - so much happened very quickly and kept happening at breakneck speed. I haven't read a fast-paced story like this in a long time, and I appreciated needing to cover up the next sentence or paragraph on a page to prevent an accidental spoiler.
1. The sexual plot between Ijendi and Aima seemed... forced to me. Was there some type of interaction between them, some type of tension that would lead the reader to believe that this would happen? At my drunkest and highest this would have never happened between me and any of my friends.
2. What was the relationship between Thursday and the bartender? Why did he need to follow Ahmed to deliver this news? Was this planned by Thursday?
3. Did Ahmed find Ruqiyyah to demand an explanation (or worse) as to why Seun was even able to record the sex tape and attempt to blackmail Ahmed? Was Ruqiyyah in on it??
This would probably be great as a limited series on Starz...sex, violence, betrayal - it has all of it! There were several plotholes for me, hence my rating BUT I thought it was very well-written so I will check out more of the author's work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Trafficking, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Vomit
If you are uncomfortable with discussions around sex work/trafficking, sex parties, or religious leaders grossly misusing their powers for evil, please skip this book.
How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
I've expressed before that great poets seem to make the best writers of, well, everything! This book was no exception. Clint Smith did not waste one word in this text. The descriptions of the physical locations visited, his emotions while visiting, and the conversations that took place on (or near) these properties were both lyrical and incredibly informative. I'm thankful that he included discussions with his grandparents to add the personal component. Excellently crafted - I could have highlighted the whole book!
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 19%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 19%.
Probably need to start the 2nd book immediately after finishing the first, but I'm somewhat lost on the characters and plot since it's been months between the two. May pick it back up after I read a detailed summary of the first. Also audio version for some reason is distracting. It held my attention better when I read it.
The Sun Sets in Singapore by Kehinde Fadipe
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
My Darkest Prayer by S.A. Cosby
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Murder
Solito by Javier Zamora
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
May pick up later... not grabbing my attention.
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Kidnapping
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Abandonment, and Classism
Perfectly Nice Neighbors by Kia Abdullah
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I did NOT see that ending coming.
This story played heavily on stereotypes and barely dug beyond the surface for some of the characters, which is understandable because of the length of the book. However, the plot to me was well paced and kept me up each night reading to see what happened next.
This story played heavily on stereotypes and barely dug beyond the surface for some of the characters, which is understandable because of the length of the book. However, the plot to me was well paced and kept me up each night reading to see what happened next.