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rayiel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read this book in spurts, so I don’t know if that is what also made it feel a bit long at times-even so, I would say I overall enjoyed this read. I loved and hated all the characters at different times, and while it frustrated me while I was reading, I appreciate it because it made the ending more full circle. This was a very cool way to explore an alternate timeline that, even though fictional, wasn’t perfect, which made it feel more real.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
eharms3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
caterwaul's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I'm not sure I like any of the characters, but I also don't hate any of them either. It's also probably the point. This book is an interesting exploration of an alternative history beginning during the colonization of Africa, and so contains themes related to the actual historical events and the time period in general. While there are characters with strong beliefs in Christianity and who seek to convert other characters to it, most of the mystical, miraculous, attributed to the supernatural powers and events are grounded in an African religion instead- not something I've read before and found interesting. The chapters are short and tend to skip weeks or months at a time, which takes a moment to get used to. Overall, I found it a satisfying read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Homophobia and Xenophobia
toopunkrockforshul's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
3.5
I enjoyed this book in the end, a very interesting premise and fully developed characters. The timeline is so long and the pace quite slow, which I do think fits the story, but for me personally made it difficult to really get into for a long reading session. Glad that I did finish this book though, and appreciate the ending and the lessons that can be drawn from this book in our own timeline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Genocide, Homophobia, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Genocide, Sexual content, and Murder
isabeldotml's review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Gore, Racism, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, and Grief