krysley's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Injury/injury detail and Blood
Minor: Death of parent, Animal death, and Child death
lauraglovestoread's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
What a wonderful debut! The Lies of the Ajungo reads like a fable, following a young boy named Tutu who sets out from the City of Lies to try to find water. The city, for years, has been given just enough water by the Ajungo to (mostly) survive, but it comes at a very steep cost. Tutu is far from the first child to set out in search of water; he knows children don't come back from the Forever Desert, but he also knows he must go to try to save his mother.
I appreciated the development of Tutu's perspective and his growth as a character over a very short number of pages, the inclusion of compelling secondary characters, and Utomi's exploration of his themes. I will absolutely look forward to reading more of his work!
Content warnings: violence, death, murder, blood, grief, death of a non-human animal
I appreciated the development of Tutu's perspective and his growth as a character over a very short number of pages, the inclusion of compelling secondary characters, and Utomi's exploration of his themes. I will absolutely look forward to reading more of his work!
Content warnings: violence, death, murder, blood, grief, death of a non-human animal
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Murder, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty
Minor: Injury/injury detail and Blood
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Thanks to Books Forward PR for the free advance copy of this book.
- THE LIES OF THE AJUNGO is less than 100 pages, but in those pages is a story that you won't forget soon.
- The book reads like a folktale and is full of compelling characters, edge of your seat action and deep emotion.
- It looks like this might be the first book in a series, and I really hope so. I would love to see more exploration of this world and its magic system.
- THE LIES OF THE AJUNGO is less than 100 pages, but in those pages is a story that you won't forget soon.
- The book reads like a folktale and is full of compelling characters, edge of your seat action and deep emotion.
- It looks like this might be the first book in a series, and I really hope so. I would love to see more exploration of this world and its magic system.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Injury/injury detail, Child death, Death, Gore, Murder, Violence, Vomit, and Blood
rachratesreads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
- 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
5.0
For such a short novella, it carries quite a punch. I genuinely loved this. The characters were memorable and the story sticks with you even after it’s finished.
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
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