this was an interesting read - read it for book club. I'm still trying to figure out my thoughts but I'll try to dot point this review, just so I have something coherent for our bookclub. 

- the theme of colonisation and slavery was very in the forefront of the story. I've read plenty of fantasy stories that use them as part of their overall plot/message but in this book it was literally the whole premise of the book, which means you feel just as uncomfortable as if reading the colour purple or something by octavia butler. 
- I thought the setting/world was really well done. it was Carribbean inspired and I found it quite refreshing to read. 
- I am interested in the main character. she's very complex and I can't tell if I care for her or if I dislike her. I understand her motives very well but I'm not sure if it's enough to care for her. 
- I didn't really pick up the plot twist but I did like it and thought it was done okay (bits were a bit confusing and didn't make that much sense). 
- her Kraft was interesting but I think the way it was used to further the narrative was at times confusing. heaps of time she found out something but it wasn't written clearly that she was using her Kraft. 

This wasn't the right book for me, but it's not a bad book. It has strong writing and a solid, interesting world. I thought the characters were well portrayed, especially Sigourney who isn't loveable but she's a compelling character. There was a lot of political intrigue and murder in this book, which isn't usually my thing, and there were a few things I didn't feel worked well but wouldn't have detracted from my enjoyment if I'd liked the book more. 

📘The Gist 📘: Sigourney Rose is driven by ambition and a need for revenge. She's the only islander with any political power among the Invaders who inslaved her people. She's driven to compete to become the king's next successor, but she has to stay alive to do that. 

📒Representation📒: BIPOC mc, strong woman mc, maybe m-spec mc

💕 For readers looking for 💕: Politicl intrigue, an intense look at racism and power dynamics, powerful female characters, interesting magic dynamics, ghosts? mystery and surprising endings! 

 Callender is an amazing writer, once you get used to their flow and style. People saying the protagonist is unlikable as missing the point: she is supposed to be. This is a gripping, chilling, and deeply emotional novel, showing the horrors of slavery through a fictional lens, written by someone who actually understands this pain - instead of white authors pretending they do. This book is a brutal, and honest, portrayal of the results of privilege and power. It is not a novel for everyone; it is not supposed to be. But you should read it anyway. 

This is a hard book. The characters are hard through necessity, the protagonist Sigourney is honestly downright unlikable, and her participation in a system of slavery poisons her belief in the righteousness of her cause, and there's very little opportunity for love to bloom. It's a tough read, especially since Callender doesn't shy away from (nor do they revel in, which was a nice change from books by white authors that use slavery) the worst parts of slavery and they are very clear that Sigourney is not a good person. But I also feel like all of this leads it to being such a good book. I'd recommend getting a version of the book with the "extras" in the back to read Callender's Q&A about their story. I thought their discussion that they wanted to create a work about complicity with such a damaging system and that they wanted to have a book that dealt with privilege and complicity and reflecting on their own privilege and complicity in oppressive systems.