Reviews

The Ardent Swarm by Yamen Manai

fionab_16's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

m_a_j's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Gun violence, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Police brutality

Minor: Colonisation and War

laurasea's review against another edition

hopeful informative slow-paced

4.0

jugglingdodo's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

ashlykray's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

tessamoose's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.75

2beenough's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

kjsears's review against another edition

emotional informative tense fast-paced

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

4.5

zellreads's review

4.0

I really liked this book. I liked the allegories here, and found the beekeeping parts to be the most interesting thing in the whole book. I think although the symbolism is pretty obvious here, it is well done and provides a great image. Really well done.

jentidders's review against another edition

4.0

Even though I don't know enough about Tunisian history and politics to understand the deeper allegorical meanings of this book, it was still an absorbing novel about a nation in the aftermath of revolution, the struggles of its people, and the machinations of its rulers (or those who would be). At once heartbreaking and uplifting, Yamen Manai's writing is beautiful and lyrical, as is Lara Vergnaud's translation from the french.