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slowreaderpeter's Reviews (208)
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Past is Red is a very unique read. It is both sad and hopeful, and yet also completely resigned to the death of the world caused by consumerism, capitalism, and the inability to prevent climate change. This is one that will probably sit with me for a good while.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Only minor spoilers in this review.
I’ll be honest, David Mogo Godhunter was a frustrating read, for multiple reasons. I feel like the book’s description or back of book summary was a bait-and-switch with what the story actually was. I was sold on the detective, really bounty hunter/godhunter, aspect of the story. There’s a case, a job he’s given, and he needs to deliver. And while we were given that to an extent, that part of the story only lasted the first third of the novel. After that, this was mostly a post-apocalyptic battle for survival against gods and magical zombies. Of course, the reviews heralding this as “A Nigerian Harry Dresden” certainly didn’t help this.
The other thing that got to me was the structure of the story. It was engaging, for the most part, but it felt disjointed, particularly after the first third. It felt like the entire initial narrative wrapped up after the first third. We had the mystery/bounty mission completed within the first 130 pages. After that, it was like a novel, movie, or tv show that over-performed and got an unexpected second entry, another season despite the narrative having already completed, which then left the author to explore plots points or ideas that hadn’t been fully hammered out or planned for when making the original story. That’s what this felt like. The promised story completed around 130 pages in, and then the next third was like an unexpected sequel/continuation but within the same book. To me, this would have worked better as three separate novellas rather than one novel. But that’s just me.
The last thing I’ll say, isn’t something that annoyed or frustrated me, just something that I wanted to give a little heads up for. A lot of the dialogue is written not in straightforward English, but more in a Nigerian Pidgin English. I want to be very clear, this is NOT a bad thing. The author, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, is from Lagos, Nigeria. The story is set in Lagos, Nigeria. He’s writing primarily for Lagosians and Nigerians. I’m not meant to understand every single intricacy of Nigerian language and culture, and I loved experiencing it for the first time! This is just a little heads-up for anyone who might not be prepared, someone who might be a bit turned off by this.
One of the most helpful reviews I read for this pointed out how many negative reviews there were for this book, which almost caused the reader to skip the book until she realized all the negative reviews were from white people experiencing Lagosian fantasy for the first time; they just didn’t get it. Once I knew that, I dove in with less hesitancy, as the negative reviews were also causing me to turn away from this. And while I still had issues with the structure and other things I laid out above, I do think this book is good for people looking to branch out and experience something new!
I’ll be honest, David Mogo Godhunter was a frustrating read, for multiple reasons. I feel like the book’s description or back of book summary was a bait-and-switch with what the story actually was. I was sold on the detective, really bounty hunter/godhunter, aspect of the story. There’s a case, a job he’s given, and he needs to deliver. And while we were given that to an extent, that part of the story only lasted the first third of the novel. After that, this was mostly a post-apocalyptic battle for survival against gods and magical zombies. Of course, the reviews heralding this as “A Nigerian Harry Dresden” certainly didn’t help this.
The other thing that got to me was the structure of the story. It was engaging, for the most part, but it felt disjointed, particularly after the first third. It felt like the entire initial narrative wrapped up after the first third. We had the mystery/bounty mission completed within the first 130 pages. After that, it was like a novel, movie, or tv show that over-performed and got an unexpected second entry, another season despite the narrative having already completed, which then left the author to explore plots points or ideas that hadn’t been fully hammered out or planned for when making the original story. That’s what this felt like. The promised story completed around 130 pages in, and then the next third was like an unexpected sequel/continuation but within the same book. To me, this would have worked better as three separate novellas rather than one novel. But that’s just me.
The last thing I’ll say, isn’t something that annoyed or frustrated me, just something that I wanted to give a little heads up for. A lot of the dialogue is written not in straightforward English, but more in a Nigerian Pidgin English. I want to be very clear, this is NOT a bad thing. The author, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, is from Lagos, Nigeria. The story is set in Lagos, Nigeria. He’s writing primarily for Lagosians and Nigerians. I’m not meant to understand every single intricacy of Nigerian language and culture, and I loved experiencing it for the first time! This is just a little heads-up for anyone who might not be prepared, someone who might be a bit turned off by this.
One of the most helpful reviews I read for this pointed out how many negative reviews there were for this book, which almost caused the reader to skip the book until she realized all the negative reviews were from white people experiencing Lagosian fantasy for the first time; they just didn’t get it. Once I knew that, I dove in with less hesitancy, as the negative reviews were also causing me to turn away from this. And while I still had issues with the structure and other things I laid out above, I do think this book is good for people looking to branch out and experience something new!
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I will admit, I did not enjoy this book as much as the rest of Chambers’ books. That said, I still found it thoughtful, intelligent, inspiring, and above all human. Chambers has a knack for reaching into your soul and making you feel and think in new ways. For that, I will always be grateful.
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A Master of Djinn is one of the most riotous and clever books I’ve ever read! Pure fun from start to finish.
The humor is absolutely hilarious, while still managing to comment on a wide array of themes and topics. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!
The humor is absolutely hilarious, while still managing to comment on a wide array of themes and topics. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
While I still have issues with this whole trilogy, this book was by far the best of the three. Very intriguing and magical world, and a lot of fun.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is so very hopeful and human. Like everything Chambers writes, I fell in love with her ability to convey humanity and purpose. She strikes the balance between hilarious and heartfelt moments just right, and you cannot help but feel better by the end.
