emi_j's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
hannahjoyyyyy's review
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
fangirlsread's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
I loved the concept of this book and Bowen does an excellent job of embodying the world of West African lore, but the book was so slow at the beginning for me. The initial world building, saving of Kola, then need to return to Kola's village was slow for me, so when things finally did start to pick up, my brain was still in the "this is slow" mindset. Halfway through the book I thought I wouldn't read the sequel, but by the end end I'm planning on reading the sequel (but not rushing to do so).
I really started liking it more once Yinca was added (and the true quest really kicked off), and I really loved that she and Simi weren't pitted against each other over Kola (it seemed like it would happen for a hot minute, but I'm glad it didn't do that). The climax is also really well written, with a twist that would please Victoria Aveyard fans, and I love that things have consequences - so many YA books have characters with plot armor, and while it hurts, I'm really glad there were consequences.
This book is for people looking for African fantasy, but don't give up on it if it's a slow start.
Also, I think this would've been a better book for me as a physical book rather than an audiobook; the narrator was great, but I wasn't as familiar with the magic and names, and would have liked to be able to refer to the names on a list at the beginning (or end) to keep everything straight - and a map! I'd love to have been able to look at a map.
Side note - Simi liking Kola felt a little like the typical "but why does she even love him?" of YA (and even some romance); I get why Kola falls for Simi (she's a beautiful mermaid who literally saves his life multiple times), but I don't really "get" what she sees in Kola besides he's handsome and she keeps saving his life, and forced proximity (which, I do love the forced proximity trope, but I just wanted more to show why she was falling for him beyond looks).
I really started liking it more once Yinca was added (and the true quest really kicked off), and I really loved that she and Simi weren't pitted against each other over Kola (it seemed like it would happen for a hot minute, but I'm glad it didn't do that). The climax is also really well written, with a twist that would please Victoria Aveyard fans, and I love that things have consequences - so many YA books have characters with plot armor, and while it hurts, I'm really glad there were consequences.
This book is for people looking for African fantasy, but don't give up on it if it's a slow start.
Also, I think this would've been a better book for me as a physical book rather than an audiobook; the narrator was great, but I wasn't as familiar with the magic and names, and would have liked to be able to refer to the names on a list at the beginning (or end) to keep everything straight - and a map! I'd love to have been able to look at a map.
Side note - Simi liking Kola felt a little like the typical "but why does she even love him?" of YA (and even some romance); I get why Kola falls for Simi (she's a beautiful mermaid who literally saves his life multiple times), but I don't really "get" what she sees in Kola besides he's handsome and she keeps saving his life, and forced proximity (which, I do love the forced proximity trope, but I just wanted more to show why she was falling for him beyond looks).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Death
stegobookosaurus's review
Just didn't feel the call to pick it up. So far felt formulaic YA
hollyc2012's review against another edition
3.0
This was such a good concept but I have some issues with it.
Let me say the good parts first.
-The Owl Crate edition is absolutely stunning and I will be keeping it on my shelf for that reason.
-The concept was so interesting and I loved the way things were described.
-The world building was magical.
Not so great parts.
-There were so many additions of characters like halfway through the story that by the end I really just did not see the point of their existence.
-I had no connection to any of the character or the story. I got to page 100 and finally started to feel that pull of interest and then the story shifted and felt like a completely different book losing me all over again.
-The story felt incredibly disjointed and there were a lot of parts that I’m still just not understanding why they were included.
Since I really don’t feel a connection to the story or the characters and really only finished the book so I could get to my Library hold I will not be continuing on with the series. In the end I think this isn’t necessarily an Owlcrate fail but it isn’t a win either.
Let me say the good parts first.
-The Owl Crate edition is absolutely stunning and I will be keeping it on my shelf for that reason.
-The concept was so interesting and I loved the way things were described.
-The world building was magical.
Not so great parts.
-There were so many additions of characters like halfway through the story that by the end I really just did not see the point of their existence.
-I had no connection to any of the character or the story. I got to page 100 and finally started to feel that pull of interest and then the story shifted and felt like a completely different book losing me all over again.
-The story felt incredibly disjointed and there were a lot of parts that I’m still just not understanding why they were included.
Since I really don’t feel a connection to the story or the characters and really only finished the book so I could get to my Library hold I will not be continuing on with the series. In the end I think this isn’t necessarily an Owlcrate fail but it isn’t a win either.
djeanine's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
vane's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-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? No
5.0
quinnthemeow's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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