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pizzamyheart's review
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a tough review. The previous book The Lies of the Ajungo was one of the best books I read last year and I was thrilled to see a sequel had been published.
But unfortunately this book felt flat. The protagonist was not nearly as likeable as Tutu, and the storylines and motives not nearly as simple and straightforward. It was hard to navigate the cast of characters and what was really happening. The setting was constantly changing and just as I started to follow the plot it would switch again.
I saw the author's note at the end giving context to this story and that helped to piece together some things. It definitely was enough to say "Hmm I wonder what I would pick up if I re-read this", but at the same time the story should have been a little easier to follow. Maybe limiting the cast of characters or adding some more context throughout to help. This just felt disjointed.
Still, I look forward to book 3 because the Forever Desert is such an interesting world and I am eager to visit again. (though only as a reader)
But unfortunately this book felt flat. The protagonist was not nearly as likeable as Tutu, and the storylines and motives not nearly as simple and straightforward. It was hard to navigate the cast of characters and what was really happening. The setting was constantly changing and just as I started to follow the plot it would switch again.
I saw the author's note at the end giving context to this story and that helped to piece together some things. It definitely was enough to say "Hmm I wonder what I would pick up if I re-read this", but at the same time the story should have been a little easier to follow. Maybe limiting the cast of characters or adding some more context throughout to help. This just felt disjointed.
Still, I look forward to book 3 because the Forever Desert is such an interesting world and I am eager to visit again. (though only as a reader)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Loss of limbs, violence, and war.thayerbowen's review
3.0
I don’t get it. It feels like a longer book with important sections taken out. The world and the characters are well done but it felt like it fell apart a the end. Maybe there is more to it that I missed.
nawog_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bookdragonshoard's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emilyeliz's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lizshayne's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is one of those books where the acknowledgements is an integral part of the story. And I loved (and also lowkey screamed) at how this book begins in a way that seems like it is making one point as a continuation of the previous book (victories for justice don't last forever) and turns out to be going in a much different and more complicated direction. It's not precisely a book for loving, but it is so clearly a book for appreciating and one that will absolutely stick with me. It's a book that hurts, but only through its realness.
tbrmonster's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
4.0
This was incredible! So much gbas gbos!👏
sahibooknerd's review
4.5
After loving The Lies of the Ajungo, I just had to read this one immediately and though it’s a fundamentally different kind of story, the author does a great job with the twists and turns in this one, even more than the first book.
I’ll keep this review short because I feel that this book works best if one doesn’t know what to expect from it. It did take me a while for me to start liking it though coz the protagonist Osi isn’t immediately endearing like Tutu, and it was only after finishing the book and going over his whole character arc (and especially reading the author’s note) that I realized what his character was all about.
If the first book was about what the powerful would do to hoard their power, this one is about the perils of distorted history and keeping a populace ignorant; how people believing naively in their own righteousness maybe gullible to manipulation; how realizing that one has been lied to all their life can lead to disillusionment and may have unforeseen far reaching consequences.
Overall, I’m just very glad to have read these two novellas now even though I missed the first one in 2023. But now I have to wait for probably a year for the final third and it’s gonna be long and eagerly awaited. I’m very impressed by the author’s writing and very excited to see what more surprises the author has for us in the next. And to anyone new to this series, you can start with either book first and experience this superb world and characters.
I’ll keep this review short because I feel that this book works best if one doesn’t know what to expect from it. It did take me a while for me to start liking it though coz the protagonist Osi isn’t immediately endearing like Tutu, and it was only after finishing the book and going over his whole character arc (and especially reading the author’s note) that I realized what his character was all about.
If the first book was about what the powerful would do to hoard their power, this one is about the perils of distorted history and keeping a populace ignorant; how people believing naively in their own righteousness maybe gullible to manipulation; how realizing that one has been lied to all their life can lead to disillusionment and may have unforeseen far reaching consequences.
Overall, I’m just very glad to have read these two novellas now even though I missed the first one in 2023. But now I have to wait for probably a year for the final third and it’s gonna be long and eagerly awaited. I’m very impressed by the author’s writing and very excited to see what more surprises the author has for us in the next. And to anyone new to this series, you can start with either book first and experience this superb world and characters.
emcampbel's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0