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culpeppper's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
- The metaphors were immense, sometimes clever and sometimes a little too on the nose, but largely the use of weaving those metaphors into the story was done well and enhanced the reading experience. As an example, the descriptions in the underwater mimic the setting, relying on feelings and ideas to form the world before Yetu goes to the surface where descriptions change to more solid things rather than concepts.
- The story has multiple perspectives. Though I do feel it worked thematically to have these other perspectives, and the stories they told enhanced our perspective, but it was always jarring and confusing in a way that took me a bit out of the story sometimes.
- It's a work of creative wonder, filled with countless concepts, and it's inspired me to read more of Solomon's work so I can have a longer experience that I think will suit their style of writing better.
Overall, there were some things it lacked that could have built out the world a bit more, and the pacing felt weird and off at times, I think that's partially the form and maybe some stylistic elements I don't fully understand. But I liked the experience of this world, of this look into our world, and the use of history and remembering as critical to it. It's not perfect, but it's pretty good.
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Minor: Child death, Fire/Fire injury, and War
building_a_bookdom's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Eating disorder, Genocide, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
nojerama's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
starcasita's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Colonisation
Moderate: Body horror, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death
maddiebusick's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death, Confinement, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Medical content, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
rhyanashah's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
This story covers the concept of personal growth, independant sacrifice for group benefit, strengthening community, and
generational healing.
The potential for more stories within this universe (as clipping./Daveed Diggs says at the end of the audiobook) is strong, and the only reason it's not a 4.5/5 is because I don't see myself going back to it multiple times. I really appreciate Rivers' writing style and will be seeking out other works of theirs.
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Moderate: Confinement, Genocide, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and War
shieldbearer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Slavery, and Trafficking
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Blood, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Minor: Animal death
toffishay's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Confinement and Slavery
Minor: Death, Genocide, and Colonisation
samara's review against another edition
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Colonisation
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit and War