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alyssarenee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
ola78's review against another edition
3.0
I was eager to read this after reading Stay with me. The book took a while to grab my attention; it finally did at around 53% . Interesting contrast between poverty and having money but the whole story wasn't fully explored. Each point mase was all over the place without tying loose ends. At least I pushed through and finished it!
dvy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Suicide
theythemsam's review
4.5
This is heartbreakingly beautiful story that tells the sides of two different loved experiences in Nigeria that are affected overall by the political shit that goes on there. I did think at first that this was a love story and that it was slow in the beginning, but once it picked up, I liked how much detail they put into the background of the characters. I almost cried when I found out Eniola’s body was one of the ones at the morgue when Wuraola went to go find her dad’s body. The relationship between all the characters family members was beautiful to see and I’m happy we got separate chapters on both of the main charcter’s mothers and their upbringings. This felt very realistic in what could and does happen in Nigeria and how corrupt the politics is and how the poor get poorer and the rich get richer.
heispa's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ksreads93's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
readersbutterfly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A book that broke my heart. Written sumptuously. The contrast between the lives of Eniola and Wuraola, the firstborn son with nothing suffering in quiet silence, versus the first girl with all the honors suffering in quiet silence. The shifts between all characters, even background ones, was excellent, each one developed strong and well. In a Nigerian culture rife with patriarchy, corrupt politicians, and stark inequality; I see my own African-American life reflected. Especially the depression cycles and the rage of parents unable to provide, sadness, despair, not being able to look out for or take care of my siblings adequately.
delaneylz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.0
pe2305's review against another edition
3.0
This is an epic story set in Nigeria contrasting the lives of a boy from an extremely poor family and a junior doctor from one of the wealthiest families. Despite their different lifestyles, their paths cross. The story moves slowly with a lot of character development, that at times seemed confusing, but then barrels a little too quickly to the conclusion. The first part of the book is tough to get through at times as it builds the story and I much preferred when the story centered on the main characters rather than the secondary ones. Overall a good debut novel, that with refining will be a great read.