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A review by emilyb_chicago
Better the Blood by Michael Bennett
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Police procedural’s are not normally my preferred genre, but this book was exceptional.
Our main character is an experienced Maori cop in Auckland, New Zealand. She is great at her job, has an 18 year old daughter and a great relationship with her ex-husband. On so many levels I knew nothing about this world going in - but the story is so vividly real and the characters all so very smart. The pacing is constant pressure without being overwhelming. Through the whole book, I was figuring it out alongside our main character.
There are trigger warnings for all things violence, including generational trauma associated with the centuries of suppression of the Maori. Despite that, or perhaps because of that unflinching inclusion of real trauma, the story is touching in a completely unexpected to me wag. The story was so well crafted that during the mayhem of the climax, I found myself crying.
Do yourself a favor - find this book to read.
The audio version is wonderfully done. I had never heard te reo spoken before and it was perfectly included in the book.
Our main character is an experienced Maori cop in Auckland, New Zealand. She is great at her job, has an 18 year old daughter and a great relationship with her ex-husband. On so many levels I knew nothing about this world going in - but the story is so vividly real and the characters all so very smart. The pacing is constant pressure without being overwhelming. Through the whole book, I was figuring it out alongside our main character.
There are trigger warnings for all things violence, including generational trauma associated with the centuries of suppression of the Maori. Despite that, or perhaps because of that unflinching inclusion of real trauma, the story is touching in a completely unexpected to me wag. The story was so well crafted that during the mayhem of the climax, I found myself crying.
Do yourself a favor - find this book to read.
The audio version is wonderfully done. I had never heard te reo spoken before and it was perfectly included in the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Police brutality