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clementinemelodie's review against another edition
I was also very annoyed with the pretentious style, it tries to be clever and poetic but I don't think it succeeds. One particular "writing tick" I got bored with was the constant flashforwards to "this will be told in the stories, sung in the songs", etc.. yet not one song or story is actually mentioned in the book. I love when books immerse you in the culture and tales of the area it is set in, but here it's not the case. It's just a way to make any event "grand", but it is so repetitive that it feels more like a habit than a conscious creative choice.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Rape, Death of parent, and War
sankatoni's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
stabilesero's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
I'm really keen to pick up Mengiste's other novels, The Shadow King was beautiful.
It wasn't perfect, I agree with other readers who also said there were a lot of side characters and names to keep up with, but I see why there were so many by the end of the book. A little bit of repetition regarding describing light and surroundings, but again, it didn't put me off.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death
stindex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
khakipantsofsex's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Slavery, Antisemitism, and Death of parent
chelsl's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Colonisation, and War
mistercrow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and War
billie_visible's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and War
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Antisemitism
kittyka0s's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexism and Death of parent