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A review by year23
Better the Blood by Michael Bennett
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The first 50 or so pages and I thought this would be a five star book. But the plotting got really confusing for me and didn't let up for most of the book, in large part because I think the cuts between different characters/scenes didn't flow well AND the character development was too shallow.
At the same time - the exploration of Maori cultural heritage, identity, and the impact of colonization and on-going prejudice was compelling, informative, and heartbreaking.
I think the themes around policing and how racism shows up within that institution were not as strong given that there's still an underlying assumption that police are good or needed (in light of the core mystery at play and the fact that the MC is a detective). Trying to have an ACAB sort of insight when your MC is a police officer (and even if they do face racism and oppression as a result), undercuts the point a bit. Also having the people who are raising questions about that very problematic institution also be terrorists - I do think the author is trying to raise important issues around policing, racism, and the injustice inherent in the justice system but I think it was muddy in execution.
At the same time - the exploration of Maori cultural heritage, identity, and the impact of colonization and on-going prejudice was compelling, informative, and heartbreaking.
I think the themes around policing and how racism shows up within that institution were not as strong given that there's still an underlying assumption that police are good or needed (in light of the core mystery at play and the fact that the MC is a detective). Trying to have an ACAB sort of insight when your MC is a police officer (and even if they do face racism and oppression as a result), undercuts the point a bit. Also having the people who are raising questions about that very problematic institution also be terrorists - I do think the author is trying to raise important issues around policing, racism, and the injustice inherent in the justice system but I think it was muddy in execution.