Scan barcode
emalderwood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
If you like this genre and are okay putting up with character flaws and some areas where the writing is still developing then it's worth the read. I would definitely be interested in reading more of this author's later works as my issues were less 'the author is terrible' and more 'the author hasn't fully come into her prime yet, but has good instinct.'
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Torture, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Medical content
wordsareworlds's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
I found the worldbuilding slightly confusing, but that has to do with my own ignorance of both specific Caribbean cultural references and the city of Toronto. That being said, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. Hopkinson's prose is evocative and impactful, and the ways she described the magic were both awe inspiring and terrifying.
Highly recommend for people looking for a fast paced, exciting, and in many ways heart breaking, coming of age story with strong themes of motherhood, family, and holding onto culture in a place that is often hostile to it.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Medical content, and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Pandemic/Epidemic
menomica's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Torture, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Medical content, and Grief
sionnac's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Medical trauma