thebestdarnthing's reviews
5 reviews

Fire from the Sky by Moa Backe Åstot

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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

A Long Way from Douala by Max Lobe

adventurous dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

an adventure told through the offensive eye of a cameroonian teenager (which was a bit uncomfortable but somewhat inevitable due to his christian west african background, i am nigerian and it's not far off from how boys are here) i find some merit in this book, like the depictions of west african life and the gloom of terrorism, it's moments of humour and it's critiques of religion. i wanted there to be a romance unfortunately, that would be a wild wish as any signs of build up were whisked away, the story shows promise for something much better but colours itself an underwhelming journey by its last page.

Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad 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

4.5

a testament to the goodness of the human spirit, saenz is able to beautifully weave a story of love, self acceptance, friendship, grief and everything related through the eyes of boy who is becoming a man. absolutely loved and cried so many times.

Bom-Crioulo: The Black Man and the Cabin Boy by Adolfo Caminha

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

This book is a tragedy through and through, grappling with topics of masculine abuse, racism, grooming, and most importantly the grave of obsession, which is bom-criuolo had entered and it cost the cabin boy's life, for he was only a boy who was used by the adults around him. the book is a decent read and the author has a certain apathy about the immorality in the book, but i feel strange sense of disgust but also pity after reading it.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Grief, and Murder

Where You Are by J.H. Trumble

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

a difficult romance story to tell.