cleoreads's reviews
90 reviews

Patchwork by Ellen Banda-Aaku

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Colours That Blind by Rutendo Tavengerwei

dark emotional funny hopeful 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

3.0

Not here for the”if they go low, we go high” vibes that this book gave. 

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.5

Just heartbreaking. 

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin

dark emotional funny informative sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Unputdownable, tragically funny and calamitous. Shoneyin does a great job of laying bare the lack of regard and compassion society has for women who can’t meet societal expectations, or who chooses to reject them. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, and Suicide attempt

House of Stone by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After by Clemantine Wamariya

dark hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

The First Woman by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

funny informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Woah. When I started this book I didn’t know it would end up being one of my favourite books ever. If you loved Nervous Conditions, read this! 

Beneath the Lion's Gaze by Maaza Mengiste

emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

TW - Torture 

The 1974 Ethiopian revolution told through the experience of one family. On courage. On loyalty. On betrayal. On grief. 

Mengiste’s writing is rich in imagery which makes this a slow, but beautiful read. Didn’t grip me in the beginning, but picked up pace and ended as a favourite!