A review by mvvelde
Popisho by Leone Ross

adventurous challenging emotional funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Popisho takes place in a Caribbean-inspired fantastical island world. On the island of Popisho, individuals are born with powers called cors--medicinal cors, cooking cors, etc. We follow a number of characters as the plot unfolds, including a famous & talented chef, a healer, politicians, prostitutes and lovers. We get to know them through their personal histories as the days grow closer and closer (and stranger!) to the royal wedding. The island is full fantastical elements. Butterflies are enjoyed as one would a glass of wine, while moths are ingested to achieve an addictive high. Themes of joy, loss, grief, love, abuse, and addiction are interwoven through the story in a masterful way with beautiful prose.

The writing is beautiful and lyrical in a way that Ross’s descriptions all but form the tastes on your tongue, the scents that waft past your nose, and the emotions that build up in your chest. The whole world of Popisho that Ross built with vivid and vibrant imagery kept me wanting more--to follow the next character perspective, to see how relationships and individuals developed or connected… I really enjoyed getting lost in the dreamy world building.

For Ross’s writing alone, I would recommend Popisho. Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the eARC of Popisho.
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