chirson's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like it, but it just didn't quite click. I appreciated the structure on an abstract level, but it prevented me from truly connecting with characters, and the shifting POV was hit-and-miss (I loved the spider POV, e.g., and the monster POV, but the bat? Sounded like a gag that had a moral lesson but little bearing for the story).
It was better (more profound, more interesting, more complex) than Akata Witch, I guess, but not as good as Who Fears Death.
It was better (more profound, more interesting, more complex) than Akata Witch, I guess, but not as good as Who Fears Death.
morbazaz's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Really enjoyed it, wish it had been longer though.
theaceofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
2.75
I was unfortunately rather disappointed by this book. I read and enjoyed the Akata Witch books a few years back and was excited to see my library had a different book by this author. I don't know if it's the book or if my tastes have just changed, but this one just didn't do it for me in the same way.
I don't know, it was often kind of confusing and could have used an edit to make the plot more streamlined. I was a little frustrated by all the A names (I know this is minor but it added to my frustrations). It got weird and interesting towards the end but then what should have been a big event is dismissed in a few lines. The plot keeps jumping around and randomly changing pace. There is just too much happening for the page count and a lot gets lost or forgotten. Don't get me wrong, chaotic books can be interesting. This one just has too much and struggled to resolve itself properly.
A disclaimer for this part: I do not live in Lagos (although I do live in Africa). As much as the city obviously means a lot to the author (as shown through some of the characters), something felt off to me. I know she was born in and grew up in the USA and I feel like it shows to some extent. I have seen similar sentiments from other reviewers, but others enjoyed it. Don't get me wrong, it's not book breakingly bad or anything, but it also didn't quite feel right either...
I had such high hopes for this book and maybe that's why it let me down... If this book sounds interesting to you I wouldn't say not to read it, but rather to be aware that you are going into something that is strange, chaotic and frustrating at times
I don't know, it was often kind of confusing and could have used an edit to make the plot more streamlined. I was a little frustrated by all the A names (I know this is minor but it added to my frustrations). It got weird and interesting towards the end but then what should have been a big event is dismissed in a few lines. The plot keeps jumping around and randomly changing pace. There is just too much happening for the page count and a lot gets lost or forgotten. Don't get me wrong, chaotic books can be interesting. This one just has too much and struggled to resolve itself properly.
A disclaimer for this part: I do not live in Lagos (although I do live in Africa). As much as the city obviously means a lot to the author (as shown through some of the characters), something felt off to me. I know she was born in and grew up in the USA and I feel like it shows to some extent. I have seen similar sentiments from other reviewers, but others enjoyed it. Don't get me wrong, it's not book breakingly bad or anything, but it also didn't quite feel right either...
I had such high hopes for this book and maybe that's why it let me down... If this book sounds interesting to you I wouldn't say not to read it, but rather to be aware that you are going into something that is strange, chaotic and frustrating at times
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Homophobia, and Misogyny
Minor: Death, Infidelity, and Rape
jade4913's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
5.0
erinkluge's review against another edition
3.0
fun read! i kinda rushed through it because it was for my env lit class but i’d say a solid 3.5
jordanrhirsch's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
3.25
cookiecat73's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Chronic illness, Confinement, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Transphobia, Violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Blood, Sexism, and Animal death
Moderate: Vomit, Car accident, Child abuse, Drug use, Islamophobia, Outing, Racism, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Colonisation and Death of parent
georgina_bawden's review against another edition
3.0
The opening chapter, from the POV of a swordfish, is absolutely brilliant. I enjoyed the rest of this book - interesting characters and a excellent take on the normal first contact story. Made me really want to visit Lagos but also convinced I'd be killed by some sort of monster if I did.
nbcknwlf's review against another edition
2.0
This is more of a 2.5 but I'm rounding down because I just couldn't get into this. I have loved everything else I've read by this author but this one took me ages to finish. It wasn't awful but it just wasn't as captivating or interesting to me as her other work. Agree with Never's review about the unnecessary unkindness toward trans/queer people/sex workers - it felt gratuitous and added nothing to the story. The characters were interesting but none of them were developed enough that I cared about them. Overall it felt unsatisfyingly one dimensional and like there were good ideas but those were never realized. Recommend the Akata Witch or Binti books over this.