A review by whatannikareads
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.25

EMEZI HIVE WE’RE HERE!! oh man oh man is this another banger. I don’t think anything can beat Freshwater for me and the experience reading that, but this book gave me the same verve to finish the book quickly and stay up past my bedtime bc I couldn’t put it down. What a culturally rich story that’s ripe full of lgbtq themes and both internal and external conflict. I think even though Vivek is the star, I can’t help but admire how Kavita is one of the most thoroughly written and thought out characters I’ve ever read. I can’t help but sympathize with her and be angry with her but understand and admire her love for her son.

But the things I didn’t really enjoy I couldn’t ignore, like the *big* intentional main controversial relationship; I have seen the reasoning for its inclusion but doesn’t mean it sat well with me ever. And also it felt like there were a lot of characters at times that could’ve been reduced; they weren’t as developed as they could have and sometimes I had trouble keeping up with who was who. The ending felt a bit anticlimactic to me and how it unfolds, but I’d be lying if Emezi’s writing didn’t have me in a chokehold. 
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