Reviews

The Lies of the Ajungo, by Moses Ose Utomi

equalopportunityreader's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring 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? No

5.0

lalareadsbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense 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

3.0

wumings's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes

4.5

freckles_and_books's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

4.5

shelbyroo's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

4.5

allmyfriendsareinbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

I enjoyed this novella. The writing was vibrant and I felt like I experienced everything the characters did. Will read the next in the series.

ajira's review against another edition

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4.5

Absolutely loved this novella. Excited for book 2. I'll post a longer review soon. 

otherwisecats's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition

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4.0

 
Book Summary:

Everywhere you go, you will find stories. Some of these stories are cautionary, while others seem to serve no purpose other than a bit of light fun. But what about Ajungo – the City of Lies? What stories are told?

Tutu is a boy of nearly thirteen years, and he is desperate to save his mother. She needs water now, and he cannot afford to wait to help her. So he's going to make a deal. A deal that will send him out into the desert in hopes of finding salvation.

My Review:

Oh wow. Words cannot describe the beautiful storytelling of this novella. The Lies of Ajungo is brilliant. Full stop. If you like novels (and novellas) that make you stop and think, you've got to read this book!

The Lies of Ajungo is a story about stories. But it's also more than that. It encourages readers (through the characters) to question the veracity of these stories. What is truth? What is lore? What is the deeper meaning behind these lessons?

This novella hit me pretty hard as somebody who has always celebrated stories. But in a good way! I would strongly encourage other avid readers to consider trying The Lies of Ajungo, as I believe it will speak to them as well.

Highlights:
Debut Novella
High Fantasy
Coming of Age
Fable-like Storytelling

Thanks to Tor.com and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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yuck1209's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • 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

3.75

I really wanted to like this based off the premise and description, but for some reason I walked away from this novella feeling like I was missing something. Maybe just a case of unmet expectations? 

It almost felt more like an oral telling of a myth or legend vs. a written story, if that makes sense. Like a parable.