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jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
This was a hard book to read. I read it in fits and starts, because I couldn't take too much of it all at once. The ending was a bit abrupt and out-of-nowhere. How did he get to that place? To follow Agu's experiences as a child soldier so closely, only to jump to the ending the way it did left something to be desired. Still, this book had a powerful effect on me.
deathmetalheron's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
This book is written in Pidgin English, which may be a difficult read for some.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, War, Drug abuse, Child abuse, Violence, Rape, and Gun violence
Moderate: Slavery, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping
Minor: Colonisation
hayley_anderson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
loren2002's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
jtpgdavey's review against another edition
dark
medium-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Vomit, and War
ag11's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ophelia98's review against another edition
4.0
I am in Chapter 2..if you are one of those people who becomes immersed in a book, visualizes what you are reading as though you are experiencing it (Like Night and Fog)...this may be a hard book to get through. Cringing at the images that are being created in my head.
marioums_library's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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? No
5.0
This short, fast-paced novel takes you through the life of Agu, a young boy who went from the top of his class to the frontline of a hellish war. I was captivated from the beginning. Uzodinma Iweala's writing style is raw and forceful allowing the readers to obtain a real account of the lives of child soldiers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and War
Minor: Rape and Violence
_joy_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
3.0
Despite its brevity, it took me a little while longer than expected to finish this ambitious first novel. That was due to difficulty of the subject matter, as the book is told from the perspective of a child soldier in a war torn nation. I felt that the author did an exceptional job of capturing Agu's voice and was able to convey the war's progression in a believable manner, even when the protagonist did not fully understand what was happening. While the story is set in west Africa, it is, sadly, a more universal tale as child soldiers are found across the globe. The book's length made it easier to digest the events but I must admit to skimming one chapter because it was too hard to read what was happening to Agu. I appreciated the fact that the author did not shy away from the ugliness of the situation and that this book forces the reader to not only think about the realities of war but also to wonder what can be done to help children who find themselves in these unspeakable situations. I look forward to seeing what comes next from this author!