literaryrevisited's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.5
mylacarmen's review
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
tonks332's review against another edition
tense
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? Yes
1.5
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful YA fantasy which the author creates such beautiful imagery, the descriptions are so poetic and beautiful. The story is wonderful and keeps you interested, the only criticism I would say is the characters could have been explored a bit more, don’t feel like I knows them that well, or rather I still had questions. But I really enjoyed this.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
sheeplikeme's review
3.0
This is beautifully written and the concept behind it is unique and more than intriguing. But the book felt like it was building towards this great modern fable but ultimately it came to nothing. It fizzled. This feels like an unfinished book.
elizagrant's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a bit speechless. I really enjoyed reading this book, especially the second half, which is why I'm giving four stars, though I can see some things that I can't really make sense of, some things I feel aren't used to the best of their potential, and some pacing issues.
Badoe's writing style can sometimes confuse me (if I'm not paying full attention), but I do really love reading her writing. It brings out some indescribable emotion and is really quite beautiful to experience. The three voices of Zula, Adoma and Linet are rather distinct and engaging.
I really liked this novel, and I really can't describe or think of why. This book is satisfying and feels complete, yet incomplete. It made me really quite emotional, and I think that what it did do, it did really well, I just wish that it did a bit more.
I would recommend this book, but I would just be wary that it is not an action packed, fast moving story. It's honestly quite odd, because for all of the things that I "don't like" about this book, I am able to see past and appreciate them, as they help to create a story that feels like, rather than a large story in these sister's life, a transition in their lives from student to protector.
SPOILERS
First of all, I love each of the sisters. Firstly, Adoma. She is so willful, protective, wise and honestly quite funny. I really enjoyed reading about her and hearing her voice. I felt for Linet, and her story and emotions were so real, and the story about her lake so captivating. Zula made me cry so much. I just wanted to learn more about each character.
The magic was one thing that I felt was used well, but I wish there was a bit more attention to in the very last chapter. Which I will get to...
The plot of the teachers all dying one by one tugged on my heartstrings a Lot, and I understand how, in the context of climate change and environment loss, this could represent the loss of stability and the sisters and our need to take what we know and whats been done and create change by taking matters into our own hands. I did feel that it could have been explored a little bit more, especially the grief of this affecting not only decisions, like it does with the sisters decision to be more outright, but also their outlook and attitude. Not that this wasn't done, I just think it would have been done a bit more.
I love the idea of each cultural place having a guardian protecting it and learning about it, passing that knowledge down through generations, and I love the way that this is cross continental. Each culture has its important locations, and each needs to be protected and cherished as well as each other.
What was also discussed, but could have been shown more over a longer period of time is the negative effects that greed has on cultured that rely on the land. Which would have required a more climactic resolution.
It was a little anticlimactic with the end, and I was slightly disappointed with the minimal use of magic in the end climax. We didn't really get to see how the girls' training paid off in the end, especially since we were told in only three pages and Zula had been out with being shot. However, I do think that this story doesn't need to be that of a one and done action packed finale, it really shows a transition of responsibility to the girls, and I know that they continue to protect their cultural sites, growing their power and knowledge. Its an ongoing pursuit.
I think the ending with the giant waking up is really intriguing. I'd like to know if there's more to come??
Anyways, despite what I wish there were more of or that I thought could have been executed better, I did really enjoy this read. If u read this far, want to comment? We can discuss thoughts!!
Badoe's writing style can sometimes confuse me (if I'm not paying full attention), but I do really love reading her writing. It brings out some indescribable emotion and is really quite beautiful to experience. The three voices of Zula, Adoma and Linet are rather distinct and engaging.
I really liked this novel, and I really can't describe or think of why. This book is satisfying and feels complete, yet incomplete. It made me really quite emotional, and I think that what it did do, it did really well, I just wish that it did a bit more.
I would recommend this book, but I would just be wary that it is not an action packed, fast moving story. It's honestly quite odd, because for all of the things that I "don't like" about this book, I am able to see past and appreciate them, as they help to create a story that feels like, rather than a large story in these sister's life, a transition in their lives from student to protector.
SPOILERS
First of all, I love each of the sisters. Firstly, Adoma. She is so willful, protective, wise and honestly quite funny. I really enjoyed reading about her and hearing her voice. I felt for Linet, and her story and emotions were so real, and the story about her lake so captivating. Zula made me cry so much. I just wanted to learn more about each character.
The magic was one thing that I felt was used well, but I wish there was a bit more attention to in the very last chapter. Which I will get to...
The plot of the teachers all dying one by one tugged on my heartstrings a Lot, and I understand how, in the context of climate change and environment loss, this could represent the loss of stability and the sisters and our need to take what we know and whats been done and create change by taking matters into our own hands. I did feel that it could have been explored a little bit more, especially the grief of this affecting not only decisions, like it does with the sisters decision to be more outright, but also their outlook and attitude. Not that this wasn't done, I just think it would have been done a bit more.
I love the idea of each cultural place having a guardian protecting it and learning about it, passing that knowledge down through generations, and I love the way that this is cross continental. Each culture has its important locations, and each needs to be protected and cherished as well as each other.
What was also discussed, but could have been shown more over a longer period of time is the negative effects that greed has on cultured that rely on the land. Which would have required a more climactic resolution.
It was a little anticlimactic with the end, and I was slightly disappointed with the minimal use of magic in the end climax. We didn't really get to see how the girls' training paid off in the end, especially since we were told in only three pages and Zula had been out with being shot. However, I do think that this story doesn't need to be that of a one and done action packed finale, it really shows a transition of responsibility to the girls, and I know that they continue to protect their cultural sites, growing their power and knowledge. Its an ongoing pursuit.
I think the ending with the giant waking up is really intriguing. I'd like to know if there's more to come??
Anyways, despite what I wish there were more of or that I thought could have been executed better, I did really enjoy this read. If u read this far, want to comment? We can discuss thoughts!!
crispydegas's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
daniella84's review
3.0
3.5
Three girls from three different continents unite as sisters to protect the environment and the traditions of their ancestors. I liked the commentary on colonialism/colonialism/sexism as well as the environmental message, though it was a lil heavy handed at times. The girls were also dealing with their obligations and their own desires which I always like in chosen one kind of books but it wasn't a major focus. It ended pretty abruptly too? Can't really comment on the representation but it seemed fun and fresh to me! It read almost like an oral history which I think is also cool, but it did drag at times.
Three girls from three different continents unite as sisters to protect the environment and the traditions of their ancestors. I liked the commentary on colonialism/colonialism/sexism as well as the environmental message, though it was a lil heavy handed at times. The girls were also dealing with their obligations and their own desires which I always like in chosen one kind of books but it wasn't a major focus. It ended pretty abruptly too? Can't really comment on the representation but it seemed fun and fresh to me! It read almost like an oral history which I think is also cool, but it did drag at times.
gjj274's review
4.0
I read this authors first book in 2018 and, although I enjoyed it, something missed the mark for me a little bit with that one. However, I said in that review that I thought this author showed potential and I was interested in checking out anything she wrote in the future and I'm glad I managed to get my hands on a copy of this book.
I really enjoy this authors writing style. It's quite flowery and lyrical, definitely fairytalesque and I think that it fits really well with the fabulist themes throughout the story. I found myself moving along with the flow of this story and as a result I finished it quite quickly and I felt quite immersed within the book.
As with this authors previous work, this book features some interesting and important topics. This one discusses the impact humanity is having on our natural world through things like deforestation and I think this was a really interesting theme to focus a novel on. The magical way the author wove these themes throughout the book, I felt, worked really well and it left me with a lot of food for thought on the subject.
This story is told through 3 different POVs from 3 very different characters from different parts of the world. I loved this diversity between characters, each had their own important places and people but this overarching theme brought them all together and I loved their interactions. This group of 3 female characters were fantastic, they each had their own individual personalities but they fit so well together and I loved the strong, supportive friendship group that they formed throughout this book.
Overall I really enjoyed this one, and I'm glad I gave this author another chance. I particularly enjoyed the writing style and I really loved the group of characters in this story. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this authors future work and will certainly be picking up any more books that she writes.
I really enjoy this authors writing style. It's quite flowery and lyrical, definitely fairytalesque and I think that it fits really well with the fabulist themes throughout the story. I found myself moving along with the flow of this story and as a result I finished it quite quickly and I felt quite immersed within the book.
As with this authors previous work, this book features some interesting and important topics. This one discusses the impact humanity is having on our natural world through things like deforestation and I think this was a really interesting theme to focus a novel on. The magical way the author wove these themes throughout the book, I felt, worked really well and it left me with a lot of food for thought on the subject.
This story is told through 3 different POVs from 3 very different characters from different parts of the world. I loved this diversity between characters, each had their own important places and people but this overarching theme brought them all together and I loved their interactions. This group of 3 female characters were fantastic, they each had their own individual personalities but they fit so well together and I loved the strong, supportive friendship group that they formed throughout this book.
Overall I really enjoyed this one, and I'm glad I gave this author another chance. I particularly enjoyed the writing style and I really loved the group of characters in this story. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this authors future work and will certainly be picking up any more books that she writes.