Reviews

Nachtschwärmerin, by Leila Mottley

megjamieson's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

3.75

laurapeschroe's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

4.0

Hard to read topic but worth the discomfort

geminix1312's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

aliadulcibella's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

5.0

lisat's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

teeturnedthepage's review against another edition

5.0

First of all, Leila Mottley has a PEN THAT IS UNMATCHED!!

unviincible's review against another edition

dark reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

smagdarine's review against another edition

4.0

an absolutely brutal read that will genuinely be hard to recover from

emsunders's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad 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? No

3.5

jeannine_'s review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

This is a passionately written story chronicling the life of Kiara, an poor Black teenager being raised by her 18 year old brother in East Oakland. Her mother is in jail, and her father has passed away. When her brother gets caught up in trying to make it as a rapper instead of working a job with a paycheck, Kiara is left with the responsibility of putting food on the table and paying the bills.  

Along the way we meet Alé, her bestie, and Trevor, a young boy who lives in the same apartment complex and whose mother is chronically high and MIA. 

Kiara’s life is not easy, and her focus becomes survival. But she doesn’t dwell on how much it sucks or become jaded and salty about it. Through the seemingly never ending challenges, she still finds room to love, for companionship and friendship, and a sense of self. Oh, is this woman ever resilient.  I hope you enjoy reading her story as much as I did.  4.25 stars