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kimveach'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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
nightowlreader46'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
haleysversion'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? No
3.5
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and Classism
uhhadrianna'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
Graphic: Racism and Grief
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Racial slurs, Rape, and Suicide attempt
micaelamariem'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? No
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Gore, Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
susie_bee'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Grief
Minor: Miscarriage
bringmybooks'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? Yes
5.0
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
While not shying away from any of the realities of the history (with the content warnings to match - it's beautiful, but hard to read at times), this novel still manages to uplift your soul with the way it allows you to be a part of Rachel's journey. I'm not a mother myself, but I commend Eleanor Shearer on her ability to make you feel so connected to things that you have never had to experience. Rachel's love for her children, the way she remembers them, the way she yearns for them, the way she feels guilt and love and frustration and joy and deepest heartache; you are intimately involved in these feelings with her and it made the book very strong.
The history of slavery (&especially the Emancipation Act of 1834 and how that affected those enslaved in the Caribbean) was completely unknown to me, and I thought Shearer did a really good job adding a lot of factual information in a way that felt woven throughout the story as opposed to info-dumping it.
I was especially moved with the way water and the rivers played an integral role in the story, and the complicated nature of how Rachel and those around her felt about them.
This was an emotionally resounding novel that will definitely be one I find myself recommending.
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy, and Colonisation
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
mboard'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? No
3.5
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Sexual assault
kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault