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froggy1png's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
A real insightful read, so beautifully written 😭✨👏🏻
Graphic: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Death, Homophobia, Grief, Car accident, Alcohol, Addiction, Body horror, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Rape, Drug abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Mental illness, Violence, Biphobia, and Suicide attempt
paigereitz's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
bugspikes's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-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
5.0
I couldn't put this down.
tishywishy's review
5.0
Let me start off by saying that I do not know exactly how to review this book. It was a bit odd to read this novel because I followed Akwaeke on Tumblr and enjoyed her blogging and social media camaraderie. To read this novel and realize I had read about these experience either as they occurred or her thoughts on vet school, mental health and art is a bit surreal. I knew when she was writing her novel, that she spent time in Trinidad doing so and met her at a local event. It is fascinating to know that this has been her experience, summed up in a fictional book, but it transcends way more than that. Freshwater is astounding.
The book begins with the birth of Ada who grows with dormant spirits within her until a devastating act in her college years opens the gateway to allow them in. Freshwater delves into the trials and encounters Ada faces as these different spirits within her surge to take the lead. There is one dominant spirit, Asugara, whose intentions for Ada are both intensely driven by love and loyalty as they are by maliciousness and greed. Freshwater may be fictional but is it follows the life and experiences of the author. This book is poetic and eerie, painful and endearing. A fantastic debut novel.
Spoiler
top surgery/hospital visitsSpoiler
+ the divorce.The book begins with the birth of Ada who grows with dormant spirits within her until a devastating act in her college years opens the gateway to allow them in. Freshwater delves into the trials and encounters Ada faces as these different spirits within her surge to take the lead. There is one dominant spirit, Asugara, whose intentions for Ada are both intensely driven by love and loyalty as they are by maliciousness and greed. Freshwater may be fictional but is it follows the life and experiences of the author. This book is poetic and eerie, painful and endearing. A fantastic debut novel.
elinidk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.75
tbdaniel_111's review
4.0
this book is HEAVY, definitely look up content warnings before going in, dont be a fool like me and go in mostly blind. i will always wade through difficult subject matter for akwaeke emezi tho, even if it does mess me up after. this book is definitely magic, though
unfocusedcuriosity's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
laurren's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.0
mitchiechel's review against another edition
3.0
I struggled a little to get through it and was kinda unsatisfied at the end. I did, however, like learning about these characters. I think it's still worth the read for that. The Ada went through a lot...