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livreads4fun's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
misswired's review
3.0
I was excited about this book at first. The first character drew me in and I wanted to know more. When it moved abruptly to the next character I was disappointed but figured we get back to finishing Zettie's story. Unfortunately we did not.
At first I thought Maple had the same voice as Zettie but luckily that wasn't true. They were similar in some ways because of the area they lived and both being women in their 20s with albinism, but Maple was different. And this is where the book really lost me. I didn't find Maple watching her mother's "movies" at all believable. I just don't buy it. I was disappointed but continued reading.
Agnes' story was interesting but not like Zettie's, and far less believable (though more than Maple's at least). I was getting more anxious towards the end realizing the stories wouldn't converge and having to accept that I wouldn't be learning more.
The book didn't have any minor or major plot holes, and it was mostly well written but I couldn't get past Maple's unrealistic actions and the unfinished storylines.
At first I thought Maple had the same voice as Zettie but luckily that wasn't true. They were similar in some ways because of the area they lived and both being women in their 20s with albinism, but Maple was different. And this is where the book really lost me. I didn't find Maple watching her mother's "movies" at all believable. I just don't buy it. I was disappointed but continued reading.
Agnes' story was interesting but not like Zettie's, and far less believable (though more than Maple's at least). I was getting more anxious towards the end realizing the stories wouldn't converge and having to accept that I wouldn't be learning more.
The book didn't have any minor or major plot holes, and it was mostly well written but I couldn't get past Maple's unrealistic actions and the unfinished storylines.
parsonsaj416's review
3.0
Well there were subjects both important and interesting in this book, the writing did not pull me in. Totally, the writing was a bit One beat despite the variance and emotion, and the endings weren't memorable enough to hold on to - and I just read them. The last story also felt like it was leading up to something that never happened. Not my fave.
year23's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
5.0
badbitchk's review
5.0
dont have all the words yet. all i can say is the book left me in awe, with a little bit of tears in my eyes, and just wow.
the characters are so real and alive and yeah. will re-read and write something more coherent perhaps. but definitely a 10/10
the characters are so real and alive and yeah. will re-read and write something more coherent perhaps. but definitely a 10/10
gabybenitez's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
shakehreereads's review
5.0
My fav book of the year. The characters remain with you after the last words have been read. It’s a book I’ve gone back to twice since finishing. The exploration of mother-daughter relationships, grief and loss, and so much more was divinely written. I’m thankful for this author sharing about our city and humanizing our neighbors.
reuben_books's review against another edition
This book is really well written, and the audio narration is really good. It is the content itself I have issues with.
I got to the end of the first story, and after reading reviews, I don't think I'm going to enjoy the rest of it.
I don't like how the first story was left. I feel like there should have been more of Suzette growing up and coming into herself as a person, rather than a couple of semi-rebellious road trips. It seemed like the author was infantilising her while also making her seem like sort of sex icon. It was very weird how the only two people she was close to ended up being in romantic/sexual relationships with her. They both infantilised her and didn't treat her like an adult (the sex scene felt almost predatory), but the ending was seen as positive and all was right with the world??
Suzette's abusive household also wasn't addressed enough for how big a part of the story it was.
Overall I did enjoy this first story, but I felt it needed to be developed further, and I have no interest in reading another two underdeveloped narratives.
I got to the end of the first story, and after reading reviews, I don't think I'm going to enjoy the rest of it.
I don't like how the first story was left. I feel like there should have been more of Suzette growing up and coming into herself as a person, rather than a couple of semi-rebellious road trips. It seemed like the author was infantilising her while also making her seem like sort of sex icon. It was very weird how the only two people she was close to ended up being in romantic/sexual relationships with her. They both infantilised her and didn't treat her like an adult (the sex scene felt almost predatory), but the ending was seen as positive and all was right with the world??
Suzette's abusive household also wasn't addressed enough for how big a part of the story it was.
Overall I did enjoy this first story, but I felt it needed to be developed further, and I have no interest in reading another two underdeveloped narratives.