ruthiedr89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, Murder, Toxic relationship, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Classism, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, and Racial slurs
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
meluhnie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Gore and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Grief, Gaslighting, and Fire/Fire injury
maryannsophia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
But her characters are morally ambiguous and tortured. I got tired reading chapter after chapter of PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and distress without a real sense of hope.
Spoiler
The one bright spot is Malik's love for his sister, but even that is overshadowed by his drive to murder in order to save her. And Karina spends the majority of the book trying to resurrect her mother with necromancy, but is so upset when another character succeeds at exactly that with her sister. It appears necromancy and dark magic were only right if she herself did them.The characters' sense of right and wrong is very tied to their feelings.
Spoiler
Karina is okay with killing her husband as long as it's someone she doesn't have feelings for. But as soon as she gets close to Malik and Tunde, she decides not to kill each of them.Lastly, there is no clear bad guy, or good and evil. While there is a place for "No bad guy" in fiction, the forces in this book are tricksters out for their own agendas, manipulating and backstabbing as they see fit. If that's your cup of tea, then it's up to you.
As good as the wonderful cultural and folklore references are, I can't in good conscience recommen this book. As a third-culture kid who grew up in Africa, that's why I was drawn to this book. But it's tone and worldview are too bleak and disatisfying to justify recommending it.
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Violence
abibliofile's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Animal death, Blood, Grief, Hate crime, Mental illness, Police brutality, Slavery, and Trafficking
massivepizzacrust's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Looking forward to the next one.
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death, Hate crime, and Kidnapping
Minor: Violence and Animal death
Disturbing content is very much in the context of the setting, not glorified or done for shock value. Main characters only commit violence as a last resort.