izzye1500's review
5.0
oh my god, holy shit, wow. the magical realism, the vivid writing, the devastation yet also the humor… my god. DOMINIQUE AND NIYALA ❤️❤️❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Sexual assault
graceesford's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Self harm
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexism
ar_sa's review
challenging
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
probably wont read this book ever again but it was aight!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Self harm
Moderate: Rape
emilyschabert's review
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide attempt
bookdragon217's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"You have to feel out different spaces like they've got blood and bone of their own—and make yourself fit into them like a river."
Notes on Her Color by Jennifer Neal was quite an experience. It's one of those books that crawls under your skin and melts into you from the inside out. It's raw, emotional and dark and at times you want to look away because it feels brutal and you feel guilty for being a witness. Neal's writing is captivating. I loved how she wove the art of music into the story because it felt like a way to freedom for the protagonist, Gabrielle. The premise of being able to change skin color based on emotion and the environment was a unique aspect of the story. Neal tackles the heavy topics of colorism, respectability politics, family history, mother-daughter relationships, emotional abuse, misogyny and mental health in very interesting ways.
The speculative aspects really add flavor to an already layered story. At times I didn't know what I was reading because it was weird but it was beautiful. This is definitely a book for readers who love vibes rather than plot and enjoy being taken on a blind journey full of feelings. I'm still thinking about this one and trying to process it all. I can't say much more except this is one you have to experience for yourself.
Thank you to @catapult and @cocoachapters for the gifted copy and opportunity to review this one.
Notes on Her Color by Jennifer Neal was quite an experience. It's one of those books that crawls under your skin and melts into you from the inside out. It's raw, emotional and dark and at times you want to look away because it feels brutal and you feel guilty for being a witness. Neal's writing is captivating. I loved how she wove the art of music into the story because it felt like a way to freedom for the protagonist, Gabrielle. The premise of being able to change skin color based on emotion and the environment was a unique aspect of the story. Neal tackles the heavy topics of colorism, respectability politics, family history, mother-daughter relationships, emotional abuse, misogyny and mental health in very interesting ways.
The speculative aspects really add flavor to an already layered story. At times I didn't know what I was reading because it was weird but it was beautiful. This is definitely a book for readers who love vibes rather than plot and enjoy being taken on a blind journey full of feelings. I'm still thinking about this one and trying to process it all. I can't say much more except this is one you have to experience for yourself.
Thank you to @catapult and @cocoachapters for the gifted copy and opportunity to review this one.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide attempt
caraveddireddy's review
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Racism, Suicide attempt, Self harm, and Toxic relationship
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