chirson's review against another edition
3.0
I almost gave it a four but the ending just didn't seem to warrant it. I really liked parts but wasn't entirely sold on either the concept or the overarching structure, which makes it a weak 3.5 really.
I still don't enjoy Hopkinson's way of writing about sex.
I still don't enjoy Hopkinson's way of writing about sex.
paperschemes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
sarshu01's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-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
4.5
whnthfnsattack's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
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, was honestly amazingly written and thought provoking.
plantingneurons's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
“I can direct my own pulse now. I see how to do it. I, we, rise, flow out of ebb, tread the wet roads of tears, of blood, of salt, break like waves into our infinite selves, and dash into battle.“
linguana's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
This was enjoyable and I have no idea how to describe why. What an amazing book by an amazing writer!
This was enjoyable and I have no idea how to describe why. What an amazing book by an amazing writer!
amy_harboredinpages's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Going in blind... after starting with the ebook, and feeling like this might not be for me, I switched to this audio and found the narrator to my liking! I liked the mix of story and poetry.
ielerol's review against another edition
3.0
Generally, I've liked what I've read by Nalo Hopkinson. I didn't entirely dislike this one, but I for sure didn't enjoy it as much as many of her others.
Part of the problem is that I did really dislike Jeanne Duval and also every single other character she interacts with. They're all irritating and boring, but her every interaction with Charles Baudelaire is just the worst. Like, previously I had no opinions one way or another on Baudelaire as a poet or a human being, but now I don't think I'll be able to hear about him without thinking about how much I hated reading his parts in this book. I did like Mer quite a bit, and I felt invested in the Saint-Domingue story generally, but every time I got into caring about those characters, we switched back to Jeanne, and I felt as trapped and helpless as Ezili.
I liked Thais too, or might have if she'd gotten more time in the book. Structurally I didn't really understand why she was introduced so late, or what she added to the larger theme. Then there's Ezili, who theoretically is the figure tying all the other pieces together. When she was introduced I thought I saw where the book was going with her, but I mostly found her sections confusing interruptions, and her resolution felt tacked on and didn't answer any of the questions I thought it might have. Somewhere in here was a good story I wanted to like about the connected struggles of African diaspora women across history, but I just didn't connect with it.
Part of the problem is that I did really dislike Jeanne Duval and also every single other character she interacts with. They're all irritating and boring, but her every interaction with Charles Baudelaire is just the worst. Like, previously I had no opinions one way or another on Baudelaire as a poet or a human being, but now I don't think I'll be able to hear about him without thinking about how much I hated reading his parts in this book. I did like Mer quite a bit, and I felt invested in the Saint-Domingue story generally, but every time I got into caring about those characters, we switched back to Jeanne, and I felt as trapped and helpless as Ezili.
I liked Thais too, or might have if she'd gotten more time in the book. Structurally I didn't really understand why she was introduced so late, or what she added to the larger theme. Then there's Ezili, who theoretically is the figure tying all the other pieces together. When she was introduced I thought I saw where the book was going with her, but I mostly found her sections confusing interruptions, and her resolution felt tacked on and didn't answer any of the questions I thought it might have. Somewhere in here was a good story I wanted to like about the connected struggles of African diaspora women across history, but I just didn't connect with it.
ghostof's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
4.25
stephkerrwrites's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Sexual content
Moderate: Child death