torrie_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Thoughts
I am so glad that @tumasbooks recommended this book when we were talking about all the countries I still needed to fill for my reading Around the World series.
It hooked me from the beginning and I didn't want to put it down. And like any good book it had me Googling to learn more about the place.
"I thought only of my father: where he was and why he didn't come looking for me. I needed to see him, to kiss him and tell him everything that had happened to me since I was a child. I wanted to tell him that I would go live with him even if he had no home, no family, no friends; to show him my good grades; and to ask him to come whenever there were celebrations at my school."
When I got to that quote (on page 20) I knew this book was going to be good. The way it pierced my heart. Tears started to well up in my eyes halfway through it.
Okomo is a great MC. This book is filled with so many trigger warnings so please check those out or ask me if you have any concerns, but it is one I would recommend reading.
My only complaint is that the ending felt a little rushed. I wish it was a little bit longer with more detail.
The afterward was great as well.
I am so glad that @tumasbooks recommended this book when we were talking about all the countries I still needed to fill for my reading Around the World series.
It hooked me from the beginning and I didn't want to put it down. And like any good book it had me Googling to learn more about the place.
"I thought only of my father: where he was and why he didn't come looking for me. I needed to see him, to kiss him and tell him everything that had happened to me since I was a child. I wanted to tell him that I would go live with him even if he had no home, no family, no friends; to show him my good grades; and to ask him to come whenever there were celebrations at my school."
When I got to that quote (on page 20) I knew this book was going to be good. The way it pierced my heart. Tears started to well up in my eyes halfway through it.
Okomo is a great MC. This book is filled with so many trigger warnings so please check those out or ask me if you have any concerns, but it is one I would recommend reading.
My only complaint is that the ending felt a little rushed. I wish it was a little bit longer with more detail.
The afterward was great as well.
madivanthof08's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
abgraver97's review against another edition
3.0
This was fine, it touched on some interesting cultures I had never read about before but too much on "insta love" for me.
kitta's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, and Outing
kadijatu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sashasmith's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
thtblklibrarian's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.0
I am glad to have read a book that centers the naturalness that is being queer within African society.
carouseal's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
3.0
c2pizza's review against another edition
4.0
One strength of the more folk-talesy writing style is that it makes the setting of the narrative feel like it's much further in the past than it is in reality. This is wonderful in that it establishes a link with the indecency of the book and the ages of the past where our mythology and fairy tales were born, showing that it isn't a recent import or new cosmopolitan idea, it has always been here, it isn't going anywhere; and when you compare it to the moral bankruptcy of the traditional folk tales and heroes of the town, you're left saying, "Thank goodness! Hopefully, the future will have better folk tales like these characters instead of that polygamous swine who fathered 70 kids while murdering countless men from other tribes because he didn't want to pay tax."