emzrichy's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
sleeprunreadrepeat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
clh714's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
4.5
kristindibum's review against another edition
3.0
This is an important and ambitious story. I wanted to love it, but I just kind of liked it. The pacing is off. The prose is overly ornate and though at times very moving, it mostly just obscured the message.
But the killer is the formatting. The formatting makes this book absolutely miserable. There are no quotation marks, making it impossible to tell if something was said or only thought and especially difficult to distinguish when multiple speakers were in dialogue. Worse - the point of view shifts between characters with no clue to the reader, sometimes in the middle of a paragraph. I had to reread a lot to try to get a grip on the story.
2.5 stars
But the killer is the formatting. The formatting makes this book absolutely miserable. There are no quotation marks, making it impossible to tell if something was said or only thought and especially difficult to distinguish when multiple speakers were in dialogue. Worse - the point of view shifts between characters with no clue to the reader, sometimes in the middle of a paragraph. I had to reread a lot to try to get a grip on the story.
2.5 stars
thatothernigeriangirl's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Canongate Books for the Review Copy
The Shadow King is a book that I’m tempted to shove into everyone’s hands but can understand if every other person who has read it don’t feel the same way.
For one the writing style is controversial; the lack of quotations to separate dialogues from narration can be frustrating. Similarly, the poetic nature of the narration, which undoubtedly gave the book glitts, could also be too much for some readers, including me; like when a meal really bangs but you wish the salt was just a little less.
Another thing to watch out for if you decide to pick this book is the slow pace at which the story unfolds; it can get very annoying but I think it’s all part of Mengiste’s art. I think she was trying to make us feel how people in wars feel; the excruciatingly slow pace of life; the uncertainty that comes with war; it’s the least we could do in our attempt to be vicarious.
If you’re a fan of Laila Lalami’s The Moor’s Account then this book is for you It has successfully made my list of “Books I’ll always recommend”.
The Shadow King is a book that I’m tempted to shove into everyone’s hands but can understand if every other person who has read it don’t feel the same way.
For one the writing style is controversial; the lack of quotations to separate dialogues from narration can be frustrating. Similarly, the poetic nature of the narration, which undoubtedly gave the book glitts, could also be too much for some readers, including me; like when a meal really bangs but you wish the salt was just a little less.
Another thing to watch out for if you decide to pick this book is the slow pace at which the story unfolds; it can get very annoying but I think it’s all part of Mengiste’s art. I think she was trying to make us feel how people in wars feel; the excruciatingly slow pace of life; the uncertainty that comes with war; it’s the least we could do in our attempt to be vicarious.
If you’re a fan of Laila Lalami’s The Moor’s Account then this book is for you It has successfully made my list of “Books I’ll always recommend”.
terriandree's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
annm1121's review against another edition
4.0
I'm hovering between three and four stars here. I decided to round up because the writing is so beautiful. I wonder if some of the scenes could have been cut out or shortened. It's my personal preference, but I think this book is 100 pages too long. It loses steam at the end. In some of the scenes it was hard to picture or understand what was happening (he put his hand where and her belly was where?). In the end, I think the writing was lovely and the style of the book was unique. I think it did a good job of telling a story.
hidrnick's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-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? Yes
3.5
arnorosenfeld's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual violence, Torture, War, and Murder