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mmeyene's review against another edition
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality
open_ears_now's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I've read some of Adenle's work before, in Lagos Noir and a short story on his website. I liked his writing then, and I like his writing now.
The writing of Easy Motion Tourist is to the point - with all of it showing, not telling. Adenle paints a vivid picture of Lagos. A picture that is dark - filled with bribes, blood, and death.
Every chapter felt like it's own story, ending with some sort of twist and hook. There's a wide range of characters, with each chapter shifting between them. I advise you to pay attention while reading. Characters cross paths.
There are so many connections. At one point, I felt like I needed to pull out yarn, pictures, and a cork board.
The book is action packed, detailing everything happening in the span of a few days. At some points, it's difficult to know who to trust. In others, you're waiting to see how a character is tied into the story.
Something I found interesting is that Guy, a British journalist and our starting main character, has his perspective told from the first person. While all others, including Amaka, is told from the third person.
I felt like Guy was a solid character, though at times I was frustrated with him - which was OK. Decisions I disagreed with felt inline with him.
Amaka is a sleuthy Nigerian woman and a guardian angel of all prostitutes in Lagos. She works hard to gain information, and harder to protect everyone. I adored her. I loved all her lines and the brave steps she takes. She's willing to put herself in dangerous situations to get closer to the truth.
The side characters and story lines were well done. I found myself getting invested in Go-Slow and Knockout, despite them being thugs who commit heinous crimes throughout the story. Ibrahim, an officer, tries to track down Guy, Amaka, Go-Slow, and Knockout. I was unable to guess his intentions and whose side he was on.
I loved all the additional little details that characters had to hide from the police. Secret knocks, people playing dumb, weapon caches, etc. Every time someone appeared it had me wondering just how they were getting away with it.
The ending comes fast and packed with action, leaving so many open questions like:
The writing of Easy Motion Tourist is to the point - with all of it showing, not telling. Adenle paints a vivid picture of Lagos. A picture that is dark - filled with bribes, blood, and death.
Every chapter felt like it's own story, ending with some sort of twist and hook. There's a wide range of characters, with each chapter shifting between them. I advise you to pay attention while reading. Characters cross paths.
There are so many connections. At one point, I felt like I needed to pull out yarn, pictures, and a cork board.
The book is action packed, detailing everything happening in the span of a few days. At some points, it's difficult to know who to trust. In others, you're waiting to see how a character is tied into the story.
Something I found interesting is that Guy, a British journalist and our starting main character, has his perspective told from the first person. While all others, including Amaka, is told from the third person.
I felt like Guy was a solid character, though at times I was frustrated with him - which was OK. Decisions I disagreed with felt inline with him.
Amaka is a sleuthy Nigerian woman and a guardian angel of all prostitutes in Lagos. She works hard to gain information, and harder to protect everyone. I adored her. I loved all her lines and the brave steps she takes. She's willing to put herself in dangerous situations to get closer to the truth.
The side characters and story lines were well done. I found myself getting invested in Go-Slow and Knockout, despite them being thugs who commit heinous crimes throughout the story. Ibrahim, an officer, tries to track down Guy, Amaka, Go-Slow, and Knockout. I was unable to guess his intentions and whose side he was on.
I loved all the additional little details that characters had to hide from the police. Secret knocks, people playing dumb, weapon caches, etc. Every time someone appeared it had me wondering just how they were getting away with it.
The ending comes fast and packed with action, leaving so many open questions like:
With Knockout dead, what happens now with Go-Slow, Catch-Fire, and others? Who is Malik? Who is the Voice (as Chief Amandi refers to him)? Are they one in the same? Ibrahim has determined that the commissioner is in on the crimes of Chief Amandi. What happens now?
The ending wraps up a small part of something much larger to come.
Needless to say, I'm so happy I already own the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Police brutality, Murder, Gun violence, Infidelity, Torture, Violence, Death, and Cursing
Minor: Rape and Trafficking
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