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_kathill's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Murder, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gore, Infidelity, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Miscarriage, Racism, and Classism
jwelchreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
deszra's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
mb it’s an unpopular opinion to have liked the first half of the book but i was really invested in the world that Tlotlo Tsamaase had built and the way i thought the topics of memory, bodily autonomy, and the criminalization of female bodies were going to be handled. those two stars up there? are for the first like 40% of the book.
however…once the more horror elements came to the forefront it got real difficult for me to connect to the story. i’m sorry. ut Nelah and Jan are idiots, and even the reveal at the 60-70% mark doesn’t justify their decisions. also i feel like once That Event happened the writing suddenly took a turn for the worse, like Nelah didn’t sound like herself, neither did Jan, and the dialogue between them became so stilted and preachy almost? also i was STILL confused but couldn’t bring myself to care to do more than skim. i thought i could pull through and get to the end but uh…when a book leaves you feeling sick to your stomach THREE TIMES, dropping it is self care.
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Suicide
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual assault
falenkizzy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Misogyny, and Death
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual assault, Rape, and Miscarriage
Minor: Trafficking, Sexual violence, and Incest
sarabaier's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Violence and Body horror
Minor: Sexual assault
roytoo's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
That line from the book description echoes my reactions:
This story clawed into me with its vivid descriptions of mundane, good, bad and evil deeds set in a future Botswana (and world) where very long lives are possible.
But what is the true cigar if those long lives, especially for everyone who isn't a cis male?
Please see the content warnings.
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Miscarriage
Minor: Incest, Trafficking, and Sexual violence
poisoned_icecream's review
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Blood, Sexual assault, Death, Drug use, Infertility, Car accident, and Gore
Moderate: Pregnancy, Incest, and Miscarriage
ashley_tx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Car accident, Suicide, Murder, Infidelity, Infertility, Sexism, and Sexual assault
pm_me_book_recs's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
I did like the setting, concept, and progression of story and conspiracy- but the characters were a little flat or relied too much on the plot for development? Some decisions felt forcibly poor, like I feel no one with a concept of cause and effect would make the choices that happened in this story. Once the plot picked up, it was a wild ride and action packed, and as I said, full of conspiracy and also incorporated Botswanan mythology/pantheon. There are very lengthy interruptions of internal monologue, however, that at times had me struggling to remember what was even happening before it started.
Like a combination of Altered Carbon, Handmaid's Tale, and The Truman Show. Major commentary on bodily autonomy and misogyny, class privilege, but much of it got lost in the action.
I listened to this ALC via Libro.fm and thought Cristel Mutombo did a great job, her voice is dynamic and it was easy to differentiate between characters, she is super emotive!
Graphic: Car accident, Drug use, Grief, Death of parent, Gore, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Sexual content, Classism, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Violence, Alcohol, Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, Rape, Stalking, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Gun violence and Transphobia
careinthelibrary's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Violence, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Blood, Car accident, Child death, Drug use, Alcohol, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Body horror, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Trafficking