Scan barcode
taralaureen's review against another edition
The world the author created is so bleak. So depressing and discouraging. None of the characters were like able. I found myself dreading to pick up and read more.
breads23's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
3.5
beastreader's review against another edition
5.0
Helen and Rachel McCallister are sisters. They only have each other now that their parents are gone. For years Helen has been jealous of Rachel and her beauty. Due to Rachel’s blindness, she can not tell any different what Helen is telling her when she tells Rachel that she is ugly. Helen’s lies grow when she creates this world around Roam filled with flesh eating birds and other monsters. However Helen could never know what her story was actually doing to Rachel until Rachel makes an announcement that will change both of their lives.
I was curious about this book. I thought I would give it a chance. Wow, I am so glad that I did. I almost missed out on a great book. I found myself not reading this book fast enough. What with life getting in the way!
I can not imagine depending on someone like Helen. She was so bitter towards Rachel. However I am glad that as the story went on Helen did turn a new leaf and became a better person and one that I actually liked. Due to Helen’s meanness towards Rachel I instantly liked Rachel.
There are two stories happening in this book. There is the one involving Rachel and Helen and then there is the other one involving Elijah and his slave Ming Kai. This story was just as captivating. It was fascinating to get to learn how Roam was discovered and got to be the place it was. The Kings and Queens of Roam is a book not to be missed! It is filled with lots of wonderful characters and a magical place.
I was curious about this book. I thought I would give it a chance. Wow, I am so glad that I did. I almost missed out on a great book. I found myself not reading this book fast enough. What with life getting in the way!
I can not imagine depending on someone like Helen. She was so bitter towards Rachel. However I am glad that as the story went on Helen did turn a new leaf and became a better person and one that I actually liked. Due to Helen’s meanness towards Rachel I instantly liked Rachel.
There are two stories happening in this book. There is the one involving Rachel and Helen and then there is the other one involving Elijah and his slave Ming Kai. This story was just as captivating. It was fascinating to get to learn how Roam was discovered and got to be the place it was. The Kings and Queens of Roam is a book not to be missed! It is filled with lots of wonderful characters and a magical place.
timbercat's review against another edition
I was so excited for this book, Daniel Wallace write the most beautiful, rambling sentences and his writing feels like home.
Unfortunately, the orientalism really ruined it for me. It's just kinds awful and racist in it's portrayal of Chinese people. What do you mean Chinese people can smell a mulberry bush clos by? Like what? A dog??
Unfortunately, the orientalism really ruined it for me. It's just kinds awful and racist in it's portrayal of Chinese people. What do you mean Chinese people can smell a mulberry bush clos by? Like what? A dog??
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
jisimpson's review against another edition
2.0
Although there were a few shining moments, overall none of the characters were fully developed enough for me to care about. In a fabulist novel of this sort, anything can happen; in this book, nothing really interesting ever happened at all, and the ending fell flat.
elsaaqazi's review against another edition
4.0
I've got so many mixed feelings about this book. I loved the premise. I wasn't a big fan of the writing in certain parts. And I didn't really care for any of the characters. It was a cool short read but rather disturbing yet hopeful too in its own way. I honestly don't know how to explain it. Just read it.
impreader's review against another edition
2.0
O the dejection. Detail-deft, Daniel Wallace is a yarn-weaver. One can tumble into his words, and roam; easy to simply slip off into the tale and be washed away.
But he only washes the reader into despair in this one, despite the brief glimpses of keen insight tucked into his prose, and characters' lives. His story has no hero. And I think, without a hero of sort, there's no struggle, and the reader has no stake in the outcome. Ultimately, he loses his silk thread to the coarseness of modern disilusionment. Oy, I was disappointed.
But he only washes the reader into despair in this one, despite the brief glimpses of keen insight tucked into his prose, and characters' lives. His story has no hero. And I think, without a hero of sort, there's no struggle, and the reader has no stake in the outcome. Ultimately, he loses his silk thread to the coarseness of modern disilusionment. Oy, I was disappointed.
gallydoll's review against another edition
5.0
Daniel Wallace never seems to disappoint. This book was beautifully written.
stracciastela's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
there are so many things i want to say about this book and how it consistently made the wrong choices about EVERYTHING it was trying to say about society
i kept reading just to see how much of a shit show it would end up being
i kept reading just to see how much of a shit show it would end up being
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Chronic illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Bullying, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Incest, Animal death, Death of parent, Body shaming, Colonisation, and Car accident
mentions of beastialitylizzil10388's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25