Reviews

Caul Baby by Morgan Jerkins

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ranti's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

After reading the first chapter, I thought I knew where this story was going. So, I sat down, wrote out my predictions, then went back to the book. Boy, was I ever wrong! And, I was very happy to be wrong, because the narrative that Morgan Jerkins wove kept me guessing to the end. There were some challenging sections in this book. There was also strength, support and ambition all in the face of great adversity.

I might never have found this book if "Raybearer" had been available right away. Since it wasn't available, using Libby, I found another book that had been narrated by the same artist. This narrator does a decent job, and for a book that I might never have read, "Caul Baby" more than delivered. This was a wonderful case of serendipity, finding a wonderful book and discovering a new to me author.

Jerkins has a non-fiction book, "Wandering in Strange Lands" that focuses on the Great Migration.

Will keep an eye out for more from this author.

mik114's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.25

passionyoungwrites's review against another edition

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adventurous dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I liked this story a lot but the ending fell flat for me. I would have liked to know where Hallow’s life looked like after leaving her adoptive home.

The family connections in this story and the tradition of the caul business were very detailed. But, the depths in which people would go for power, money, and even acceptance was sometimes hard to see on page.

Amara subjected her own child to a business she despised, without knowing. And that was the saddest part.

Content Warnings

bookbaenia's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense slow-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

3.5

mariagarnett's review against another edition

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3.0

Morgan Jerkins is one of my favorite writers, and this novel definitely reads like a first novel. Which is okay! There were passages and individual sentences I found absolutely captivating, and the imagery and metaphors populating the novel kept me engaged even when the pacing, staging, or dialogue didn't feel quite right. I am so excited to continue reading every single book this woman writes.

mdookwah's review

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challenging emotional sad tense fast-paced

3.75

arielkay's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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? It's complicated

5.0

kaya217's review against another edition

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3.0

The story was unique but something is missing. The ending is hastily wrapped up for one thing but really...something is missing and since I can't put my finger on it this book gets 3 stars.