A review by haygurlhay
City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson
5.0
It's rare to find a book that combines political history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and war crimes against peoples, a young adult novel featuring a complex FEMALE-identified protagonist, a kaleidoscope of emotions and a mystery all in one book.
Natalie C. Anderson's book was riveting from the start, setting us up with the ability to understand what is at stake at first glance, then weaving us through parts of Christina's "Tina aka Tiny Girl" journey to discover her mother's killer. If you can, I HIGHLY recommend listening to the audiobook- the narrator Pascale Armand truly brings you into the world of Tina and the adjacent characters, none who are throwaways or caricatures, from Michael, the boy she suspects is linked to her killer, her closest friend Boy-Boy, a fiercely queer and mad genius hacker, and others, making each character's mannerisms distinct and authentically African.
No spoilers, but this book truly had me in tears and laughs, gasping and wondering how else Tina will change the more she finds out about her mother's past and legacy.
Natalie C. Anderson's book was riveting from the start, setting us up with the ability to understand what is at stake at first glance, then weaving us through parts of Christina's "Tina aka Tiny Girl" journey to discover her mother's killer. If you can, I HIGHLY recommend listening to the audiobook- the narrator Pascale Armand truly brings you into the world of Tina and the adjacent characters, none who are throwaways or caricatures, from Michael, the boy she suspects is linked to her killer, her closest friend Boy-Boy, a fiercely queer and mad genius hacker, and others, making each character's mannerisms distinct and authentically African.
No spoilers, but this book truly had me in tears and laughs, gasping and wondering how else Tina will change the more she finds out about her mother's past and legacy.