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mmnasc's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bewonus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
mitchiechel's review against another edition
5.0
I feel bad for everybody involved. But mostly for Nnemdi. She deserved so much better.
michkeenah's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars but in a good way! i really liked the writing in this book, akwaeke writes about love and self in a deeply poetic way
i was super into this book at the start but towards the end, i felt my interest waive. i think that it’s bc there was less and less vivek? vivek’s character was so full of life so i just wish we had seen and heard more. i also couldn’t get past the taboo relationship but that’s just me sha
i was super into this book at the start but towards the end, i felt my interest waive. i think that it’s bc there was less and less vivek? vivek’s character was so full of life so i just wish we had seen and heard more. i also couldn’t get past the taboo relationship but that’s just me sha
marinaemoore's review against another edition
3.0
This one left me feeling very torn.
On the one hand, the writing and prose were absolutely beautiful, the setting and cultural elements of this book were great, and the themes were compelling.
On the other hand, I found this book too short for the amount of characters/topics it covered and, in my opinion, we learn relatively little about Vivek Oji. There are many seemingly random characters thrown in that come with a lot of backstory that didn’t feel relevant.
I ultimately felt like every time I finally got invested in the story, the focus would shift to some other character and it took you out of the flow of the main story in a manner that I found unnecessarily disruptive.
On the one hand, the writing and prose were absolutely beautiful, the setting and cultural elements of this book were great, and the themes were compelling.
On the other hand, I found this book too short for the amount of characters/topics it covered and, in my opinion, we learn relatively little about Vivek Oji. There are many seemingly random characters thrown in that come with a lot of backstory that didn’t feel relevant.
I ultimately felt like every time I finally got invested in the story, the focus would shift to some other character and it took you out of the flow of the main story in a manner that I found unnecessarily disruptive.
tatyanavogt's review against another edition
5.0
There is a knock on the door and when you go to answer it you find your young adult child wrapped up and left alone dead at your doorstep with no explanation. And we travel back in time to slowly uncover the live of Vivek Oji and what lead to that heart breaking moment.
This is a story about friendship, love, self acceptance, fear, shame and so many other things. Its beautiful, its emotions, its heart wrenching it is absolutely amazing and I recommend everyone to read it! Obviously it does touch on some tough topics to be away but it is worth it. I was wrecked during/after this and will always remember this book!
If you want to see my actual reaction check out the reading vlog here: https://youtu.be/3pIbyhFoAeo
This is a story about friendship, love, self acceptance, fear, shame and so many other things. Its beautiful, its emotions, its heart wrenching it is absolutely amazing and I recommend everyone to read it! Obviously it does touch on some tough topics to be away but it is worth it. I was wrecked during/after this and will always remember this book!
If you want to see my actual reaction check out the reading vlog here: https://youtu.be/3pIbyhFoAeo
devilscopper's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.75
eggbeater's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
This book was heartbreaking. The characters were imperfect in a relatable way, and it made me really consider different LGBTQ circumstances and what they might be like living in Nigeria.
dreadspawn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Incest, Death, Sexual content, Infidelity, and Violence
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Animal death, and Hate crime