Scan barcode
fkshg8465's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The characters were all terrible people doing the best they could without any context as to why they were going what they were doing. A pretty awful place to start, yet I found this book funny at times and wonderfully ironic throughout. Every time I thought I had a handle on the story, it would shift directions without detracting me from the center of the plot. Really fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Colonisation
zinelib's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A Black couple, Bernadette and Melvin, flee to Ghana from Jim Crow American after a bad thing happens. Melvin had gone to college with President Kwame Nkrumah and is counting on him for help. Whelp, Nkrumah is busy surviving coup attempts, so that doesn't go as planned. Nothing does, really, not even with their highlife musician friend.
I don't know what to make of this book. I loved the last book I read that was this dire, but somehow this one was less compelling?
I don't know what to make of this book. I loved the last book I read that was this dire, but somehow this one was less compelling?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
honeyvoiced's review against another edition
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Physical abuse and Pregnancy
mysterymom40's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Violence, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Colonisation, and War
andrea_gagne's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-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? Yes
4.75
This book had me on the edge of my seat - I could not put it down! This was a fantastic debut and I look forward to more from the author.
Bernadette and Melvin were forced to flee the American south in the 1960s after an altercation turned them into fugitives. They sought refuge in Ghana, but were unaware of the turmoil they were walking into when they arrived to the young country on the brink of a coup. After joining up with a popular highlife musician Kwesi Kwayson on a trek to try and find the President and former revolutionary Kwame Nkrumah (who Melvin knew from his days at college), they are forced to navigate danger and chaos as they attempt to save themselves and escape the chaos that unfolds around them.
The writing was rich, immersive, and poetic. The characters were complex and I quickly connected with them. The story itself was epic, exciting, and dangerous, steeped in history and culture, with a touch of magic and mysticism.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC to read and review.
Bernadette and Melvin were forced to flee the American south in the 1960s after an altercation turned them into fugitives. They sought refuge in Ghana, but were unaware of the turmoil they were walking into when they arrived to the young country on the brink of a coup. After joining up with a popular highlife musician Kwesi Kwayson on a trek to try and find the President and former revolutionary Kwame Nkrumah (who Melvin knew from his days at college), they are forced to navigate danger and chaos as they attempt to save themselves and escape the chaos that unfolds around them.
The writing was rich, immersive, and poetic. The characters were complex and I quickly connected with them. The story itself was epic, exciting, and dangerous, steeped in history and culture, with a touch of magic and mysticism.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC to read and review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship and Violence
More...