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jijirich's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Outing, Abandonment, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Child death and Rape
megelizabeth's review against another edition
2.5
Ugh, this book had so much potential and was then so disappointing (for me anyway). It started off strong and there are definitely aspects I really liked and appreciated - the key ones being the dream-like atmosphere, several of the relationships, the conversations around the intersex experience, and the coming-of-age thread to the narrative. It also does an excellent job of portraying the experience of missing out on girlhood, and that element truly broke me.
However, several plot strands develop which I just wasn't a fan of and which I found to really take away from the wider themes, and I particularly despised how it's portrayed as completely fine for an adult man to go after a fifteen-year-old girl. And, while I did like the dreaminess of the writing, it really threw me off that this is marketed as an adult book and yet reads entirely like YA. Like, literally just write an actual YA book!!! So, unfortunately, this did end up being a miss for me overall, which is such a shame as it touches on some really important themes and did have such great potential. :(
(I would also strongly urge that, if you're reading this review and still wanting to give this book a go, PLEASE check the content warnings - it's extremely heavy in MANY different ways!)
However, several plot strands develop which I just wasn't a fan of and which I found to really take away from the wider themes, and I particularly despised how it's portrayed as completely fine for an adult man to go after a fifteen-year-old girl. And, while I did like the dreaminess of the writing, it really threw me off that this is marketed as an adult book and yet reads entirely like YA. Like, literally just write an actual YA book!!! So, unfortunately, this did end up being a miss for me overall, which is such a shame as it touches on some really important themes and did have such great potential. :(
(I would also strongly urge that, if you're reading this review and still wanting to give this book a go, PLEASE check the content warnings - it's extremely heavy in MANY different ways!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
beeziereadsromance's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
Surprisingly endearing, hopeful coming of age story set in Nigeria. Oto's story isn't an easy one to read, but it's so well balanced by the hope and the humour that it never felt too hard, or like I needed to put it down for a break.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Miscarriage
thereaderfriend's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
This book broke my heart and mended it in one go. I had to read this with time because it is just so sad and challenging. It’s a very impressive read. Very underrated. Also gave a satisfying ending which almost never happens. I had highlighted so many parts that stuck with me. I need to get a hard copy so I can annotate more. Some quotes I loved below:
“There’s such a great big world out there, so many different types of people, so many ways to live and be, you realize there’s no right or wrong way.”
“Yet from the depths of her sadness, something unfolded and stretched towards the light.”
“I didn’t know that a heart could break and break and keep on breaking while leaving you alive.”
“.. it’s important to weigh situations for yourself and not just follow the herd.”
Side note: I couldn’t find an isbn for the digital version of this book so I picked this one. It wouldn’t let me manually upload one either :/
Another side note: if any of the books I read don’t have a format it’s most likely digital
“There’s such a great big world out there, so many different types of people, so many ways to live and be, you realize there’s no right or wrong way.”
“Yet from the depths of her sadness, something unfolded and stretched towards the light.”
“I didn’t know that a heart could break and break and keep on breaking while leaving you alive.”
“.. it’s important to weigh situations for yourself and not just follow the herd.”
Side note: I couldn’t find an isbn for the digital version of this book so I picked this one. It wouldn’t let me manually upload one either :/
Another side note: if any of the books I read don’t have a format it’s most likely digital
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death, Self harm, and Sexual assault
Minor: Domestic abuse
qi_'s review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
each of the characters was so well crafted and all had their own complexities. there was so much depth even in character that weren't most essential and even characters that we were supposed to dislike. i loved being able to spend time in the mind of Oto and they're a truly unforgettable character. it was so refreshing to see such an underrepresented perspective and really broaden my horizons. it's such an important perspective that i hope many people will experience once it starts to hit the shelves.
the writing was lyrical and Buki Papillon described each scene and setting with such detail and care. i loved how some of the African culture was woven into the writing and imagery such as certain sayings, metaphors or experiences that Oto held onto.
i did think that the dual timeline was a little bit unnecessary. it did provide contrasts and parallels however, i did find the structure a little jumble and confusing at points. personally, i would have preferred a linear structure with flashbacks only if necessary (at certain points i can see where it should be used). i did feel like some parts of the middle dragged out a little and felt a little tedious, not adding much to the impactful storyline.
the narration in the audiobook was very well done. Adjoa Andoh did such a good job and really brought the characters to life. stressing words and speaking just as how i would imagine the characters would. especially in more heart breaking scenes their voice-acting really shone through. impressed with the commitment to varying voices and accents.
overall, very strong and impressive debut. i think that this is such an important story to tell. each reader will get something out of it whether it be relating to struggles with gender identity, complex family relations, the experience of bullying or just the feeling of uncomfortable in your own skin prison
the writing was lyrical and Buki Papillon described each scene and setting with such detail and care. i loved how some of the African culture was woven into the writing and imagery such as certain sayings, metaphors or experiences that Oto held onto.
i did think that the dual timeline was a little bit unnecessary. it did provide contrasts and parallels however, i did find the structure a little jumble and confusing at points. personally, i would have preferred a linear structure with flashbacks only if necessary (at certain points i can see where it should be used). i did feel like some parts of the middle dragged out a little and felt a little tedious, not adding much to the impactful storyline.
the narration in the audiobook was very well done. Adjoa Andoh did such a good job and really brought the characters to life. stressing words and speaking just as how i would imagine the characters would. especially in more heart breaking scenes their voice-acting really shone through. impressed with the commitment to varying voices and accents.
overall, very strong and impressive debut. i think that this is such an important story to tell. each reader will get something out of it whether it be relating to struggles with gender identity, complex family relations, the experience of bullying or just the feeling of uncomfortable in your own skin prison
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Outing, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
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