Scan barcode
painausten314's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Vomit, and Trafficking
professorbadger's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Another favorite novel of the dozens I’ve read so far in 2021. Lyrical language, interesting characters, a touch of historical knowledge, and a fair amount of straight-up action. Read if you like: Homegoing, classical myths, complicated superheroes, strong women, magical realism, historical novels, Africa.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Murder, and War
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Colonisation
slightlyliterary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Slavery, Trafficking, and Colonisation
blessing_aj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.5
My goodness! What a grand imagination some writers have! 🤩 Wayetu Moore went over and beyond for this book and I cannot believe it took me this long to pick it up.
In this book, magical realism meets historical fiction to deliver one of the most brilliantly written stories I have ever read.
Admittedly, it’s a bit tedious to read. Then again, isn’t it a popular saying that nothing good comes easy? A little patience and a mind that appreciates the art of writing is all it takes to enjoy this work.
I rated it 4.5 because it’s not the easiest book to read and I wanted more from the ending. 😞 I appreciate the fact that writers are not magicians; yet I couldn’t believe I came all the way through to the end and I didn’t get closure.
Despite how beautiful and appetizing the storytelling is in this book, I know that not everyone will enjoy reading this book.
So who should bother?
If you have read and enjoyed Kintu by Jennifer Makumbi and The Old adrift by Namwali Serpell, then this should be right up your alley.
The author narrated the audiobook herself and she did such a great job. A piece of advice if you intend listening to the audiobook is to have it handy in written format (digital/physical) because the nature of the story is such that will throw you off at the beginning of a new part. It will also help you understand what is being said in the native and Jamaican accents, in case you have a hard time with it as I did.
In this book, magical realism meets historical fiction to deliver one of the most brilliantly written stories I have ever read.
Admittedly, it’s a bit tedious to read. Then again, isn’t it a popular saying that nothing good comes easy? A little patience and a mind that appreciates the art of writing is all it takes to enjoy this work.
I rated it 4.5 because it’s not the easiest book to read and I wanted more from the ending. 😞 I appreciate the fact that writers are not magicians; yet I couldn’t believe I came all the way through to the end and I didn’t get closure.
Despite how beautiful and appetizing the storytelling is in this book, I know that not everyone will enjoy reading this book.
So who should bother?
If you have read and enjoyed Kintu by Jennifer Makumbi and The Old adrift by Namwali Serpell, then this should be right up your alley.
The author narrated the audiobook herself and she did such a great job. A piece of advice if you intend listening to the audiobook is to have it handy in written format (digital/physical) because the nature of the story is such that will throw you off at the beginning of a new part. It will also help you understand what is being said in the native and Jamaican accents, in case you have a hard time with it as I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, and Death of parent
annaamaralanderson1997's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, and Murder
carolinewithane's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, and Trafficking
montyroz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, Slavery, Grief, and Murder
bexi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racism, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Blood, and Abortion
Minor: Misogyny, Rape, and Sexism
enbylibrary's review against another edition
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, and Slavery
Moderate: Child abuse and Xenophobia
Minor: Religious bigotry
caprivoyant's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book deserves words of praise I may never be eloquent enough to write. In She Would Be King, Wayétu Moore creates a novel directly from the heart. This book feels like an offering -- a spiritual experience with the understanding and empathy of your wisest elder.
This book is poetry. It's heartbreak and love at the same time. It's the best, most beautiful, most magical aspects of the human species... And the most sinister. It's hope, and it's pain. It's love in the purest and most raw forms.
This is a book I didn't want to put down. And it's a book I never want to let go. It's not a page-turner, exactly, but it felt precious. I felt honored to be able to read it, to witness it. Every word deserved to be savored. And even though I've finished the final pages, I don't think this book will ever be done for me. It'll stay in my heart. It'll be in the wind on my face. It'll flow in my veins, whispering encouragement, tenacity, and resilience. It'll live through my actions.
Gbessa will not die.
This book is poetry. It's heartbreak and love at the same time. It's the best, most beautiful, most magical aspects of the human species... And the most sinister. It's hope, and it's pain. It's love in the purest and most raw forms.
This is a book I didn't want to put down. And it's a book I never want to let go. It's not a page-turner, exactly, but it felt precious. I felt honored to be able to read it, to witness it. Every word deserved to be savored. And even though I've finished the final pages, I don't think this book will ever be done for me. It'll stay in my heart. It'll be in the wind on my face. It'll flow in my veins, whispering encouragement, tenacity, and resilience. It'll live through my actions.
Gbessa will not die.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Slavery, Xenophobia, Trafficking, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence