eggcellent_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
thain's review against another edition
4.0
Part slave narrative, part adventure yarn, this story of a boy on a Caribbean plantation who becomes a scientist's apprentice and embarks on a journey to freedom is both harrowing and entertaining. Wonderful descriptions of the natural world and a realistic depiction of the hardships faced by a black man even after he was no longer a slave.
booksinbedinthornhill's review against another edition
4.0
Very readable but the hybrid of slave narrative with fantastical adventure story doesn’t feel quite right to me.
lindentea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
2.5
The writing was good and the concept was there but at some point I felt it got bogged down by the sheer amount of like... kind of irrelevant stuff happening? By the end I was just reading to finish it tbh.
nancidrum's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great read, by a new to me, author. She used a combination of winning characters, science and history to write this one-of-a-kind novel. In just 6 years time we are taken on a great adventure over numerous continents through the eyes of a young black boy, whose life is altered forever when an eccentric white man escapes with him to a life the boy could never have imagined experiencing. There were brutal parts in the book, but overall it is a beautiful book that causes the reader to think deeply on many different levels.
4 solid stars and would make for a great book group discussion
4 solid stars and would make for a great book group discussion
spiderfelt's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fast paced engaging story with complex characters I was able to easily picture despite the unfamiliar historical settings.
petitestory's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
5.0
cassornelas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The story shows the brutality of slavery and the oppression that continues after it has ended. Even from those who were not necessarily eager to participate in it still benefited it and partook in some way. Im only giving it a five star because the last 70-100 pages felt like they were heading towards a different plot than the first part. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. But the book overall was a great en captivating read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Death, Slavery, Violence, Suicide, and Racism
lydaalexander's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Great historical fiction that doesn’t shy away from the ugly parts of slavery and white saviorism.