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manderzreadz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wow did this book surprise me! I thought I was diving into a typical historical fiction about immigrants to South Africa during political upheaval but got so much more.
This book blends the physical and the spiritual, and touches on darker topics that leave you reflecting on what legacy you leave on those around you.
I enjoyed the personification pieces about the house, you really got the atmospheric vibes. It was a tad slow at the beginning but I enjoyed it about 30% of the way through.
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Suicide, and Emotional abuse
crisania's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Suicide, Death, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Classism, Mental illness, Blood, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry
eed8's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Murder
tamara_joy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Blood, Colonisation, Death, Murder, Animal cruelty, Grief, and Mental illness
Minor: Abandonment, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, and Racial slurs
madlyreading's review
- 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? Yes
4.0
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Animal death, Bullying, Colonisation, Grief, Gaslighting, Murder, Death of parent, Death, Pregnancy, Animal cruelty, and Emotional abuse
fkshg8465's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Grief, Blood, Confinement, Death, Body horror, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism
cas_reads_anything's review
- 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
4.5
The first was a character study of an apartment building filled with haunted people, living in a (lightly) haunted building. Sana, the main character, is adrift after the death of her sister and mother. She investigates the residents of the building and its history, digging deeper and deeper until she discovers the horrific story of the builder of the home.
The second timeline follows the original home builder, his family, and the tragedy that befalls them. It’s dark and ominous and you can’t help but root for the safety of the main POV in that timeline even knowing that things are not going to turn out well. Finally, the two timelines merge in an exciting and satisfying ending.
This was beautifully written and haunting.
Graphic: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide attempt, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Blood, Body horror, Classism, and Colonisation
jasminegalsreadinglog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Set in South Africa, this book revolves around Sana, a 15 year old girl who lives with her father. They move into a palatial mansion, where she gets to meet interesting neighbors. The house itself is an enigma, though. Sana starts exploring, and the house starts revealing its secrets to her.
9
Sana and the Djinn have something in common. Though the Djinn is not exactly the main character of this book (sadly), Sana and the Djinn have parallel metaphorical stories. There's a lot underneath the layers of this story. It's sad in a lot of parts, but also beautiful when you read the whimsical friendship of the Djinn with Meena. I am not sure if this book exactly fits the bill of horror genre, and that's where a reader might struggle.
Thank you, Penguin Group Viking, for this book.
CW: Death, classism, racism, colorism, betrayal, suicidal thoughts, manipulation, infidelity, medical trauma, ghosts
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Slavery, Misogyny, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Self harm, Infidelity, Blood, Suicide, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Confinement, and Child death
sarahyjackson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Suicide, Grief, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Racism, and Abandonment
Minor: Religious bigotry, Terminal illness, and Animal death