Lili V
4.5
This was so good and the audiobook is definitely the way to go. The author does a fantastic job setting and keeping the dry sarcastic tone, and honestly made the last chapter funnier than intended...unless it was intended...lol. I'm definitely buying a physical copy because the writing was too good not to, and I already want to reread it.
There's so much here, all the questions asked and challenged, about sex and sexuality...
Truly the only reason I can't give this 5 stars is because I almost feel too connected to the story. It hurts to read as much as it is enthralling to see it put so eloquently, so brutally.
I have come across these characters in real life, I've been in this type of situation. It's gratifying and repelling on a personal level and it's so absolutely bizarre - in a good way - when someone can sum up emotions you don't want to face, are masochistically thrilled to read and are nevertheless viscerally present.
Seriously loved it. I don't know how the author can keep track of every interaction and intersection of the multitude of characters included in this book and its predecessor. It was so incredibly enjoyable (word-casing), delightful, pleasurable, to read and the writing was impeccably (witty, clever, uniquely-suited) crafted to remind you of all the connections and yet still surprise the heck out of you with the thematic short stories that are bound together by nothing more than this ensemble of characters.
Did not enjoy as much as the first book because there was a new fantastical element introduced as a manipulator of events and it just seemed so pointless because we don't get enough answers as to their motivations or backstory. So it felt like this new omniscient malicious character joined the narrative for the sole purpose of causing heartache to the main characters. Did not enjoy reading about his involvement because it put a massive taint on any negligible growth within the harem.
Really great book about quality management that can be implemented in businesses and everyday life.
3.25
What I Liked
* Culture representation was VERY much appreciated - loved reading about other countries' cultures because it plays such a prevalent role in my own life. I enjoyed reading about their lives, the social dynamics between not only nuclear families but also the Nigerwives and their cultivation of familial community and support.
* Vivek's perspective/dedicated chapters - His chapters had the most raw emotional impact because he/the author crafts the way he feels in unmistakably vulnerable language that is beautiful as much as it is heartbreaking.
* The nuance of the relationships Vivek had with family and friends - the points where he showed up in the ongoing narrative of the perspectives of those closest to him were insightful - and at the risk of saying too much - portrayed his transition from feeling weighed down and trapped to recovering and accepting himself bit by bit in a gradual build that crescendoed beautifully from beginning to end and how that rubbed off on those around him (in both good and bad ways).
What I Disliked/Was Disappointing
* The other characters not including Vivek, Osita, and Juju (and by the end, Vivek's parents) - where is the nuance with the characters that surround Vivek? I understand this is most likely intentional - to talk about the events surrounding Vivek's death, obviously - but why does that have to translate to a lack of emotional depth? There's so much in the brief chapters from Vivek - which are more impactful not because of their brevity but because of their beautifully concise yet illustrative writing - that it creates a stark contrast to the lack of significance paid to the rest of the characters' true emotions (besides obvious devastation that Vivek died tragically). What the author showed of the other characters' past was not enough for me to connect to any of them. Their actions were clearly highlighted to portray them in a specific light or craft a judgement the author wanted us to infer because of the events highlighted. Ex. He cheated because his wife ignores him (happened multiple times), hence he's a bad guy. (I don't like Ebenezer's chapter because it felt like a very poorly orchestrated attempt to redeem him rather than just plainly stating he lost his way because he's a man who was tempted by what he couldn't have and therefore sought it out elsewhere.) Ex. She's the beaten first wife who moved across the country for a man who tossed her aside to be with someone else. (Why is that the only thing that we know about Maja? Why is that her entire character? Why include her tragedy for the sole purpose of giving Juju a troubled home life?) Ex. Vivek's friends were obviously important to him and a comfort to him, a safe space. Why didn't we know more about them besides Juju's somewhat in-depth backstory or more than just the clues Osita gives us of his guilt and inner turmoil? Couldn't we have seen more interactions between all of them together instead of random chapters about every older male figure cheating on their wife? Even though Vivek is the main character, he didn't have to be the only character that felt real.
* The ending - This may just be personal preference because the timeline is very fluid throughout but it's clear that we're working towards Vivek's death and the circumstances around it but once we get to it...it was too neat. Not the circumstances surrounding his death but the actual ending of the book...it felt too much like “And this is the moral of the story, the end.”
Oof this came at a good time and I've slowly discovered a lot of these truths for myself over the past year but it was great to read more about them and put them into a larger context. Truly going to take into account a lot of the questions asked and internalize some of the heavier axioms. Really enjoyed it, very well-written.
Such a stunning and intricate story and world! I absolutely loved it.
The writing and world-building were so intricately woven and vast. I quickly fell into the protagonist's journey of capture and escape while at the same time learning the many political upheavals between these different races and the symbolic struggles that greatly resemble our world. There's a main conflict between two races: the Cumea and the Arcanics but within their own races more strife and secrets can be found. I applaud Ms. Liu for her fantastic crafting of the detailed world because, while there were some info-dumps toward the start, I soon began to enjoy the intermittent visits from a cat professor who had nothing to do with the narrative besides give the reader some context of the cities, races and history of the world.
The art was absolutely stunning and was the perfect tone with its dark ambiance and beautiful monstrosities. It really tied well with Liu's theme of survival from surviving and the infinite cruelties that can be disseminated during war-times, as well as the illusive but ever-present need and strive for hope.
The plot was bang on because while we follow the protagonist as she encounters the different races that want to kill or use her for their own purposes, there's still a driving force behind her journey to self-discovery and unveiling the mystery of her past. It was so dang good! The author really knew how to linger on important scenes but also how to ramp up the tension and climactic energy for a thrilling finish to the first volume. I can't wait to read more!
Before you read my review you should be forewarned that it is based off an Advanced Reader's Copy and some things may have changed and/or been fixed.
This book definitely had its moments of brilliance. One of the things I enjoyed the most was that it was realistic in the relationships and development of the characters. They were all flawed in their own ways and sometimes they try to make excuses for themselves but not one of them sees giving up on others as the ultimate solution to their problems. What I mean is, that they don't give up on trying to improve the relationship they have with the people in their lives. It's also not one those you-know-everything-will-turn-out-alright type of books. It's unputdownable in the sense that you don't know what's going to happen but you want to know till the point where you could easily finish the novel in one sitting.
The writing was one of the issues I couldn't get past while reading the book because in the beginning it was really bland which sort of correlated with the main character's predicament and main theme of the book but it didn't excuse its distant tone. Also there were hints that the main character, Naomi, was talking to the read in the “I was” portion of the novel as if telling her story about the on-set of her amnesia. However, there was no real mention of it later on in the latter two portions of the book. And in the general middle portion of the book, there was a point where I seriously considered just skimming the rest of the book because the plot was boring me and I wasn't fully immersed in the romantic relationship Naomi and James shared.
Overall, I'd say this was a just a tad bit more than a decent read and ultimately give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
C+
When I think back on this story, I almost think it's two stories told in one. There's so much going on but the author does a great job weaving those story lines together. I appreciated getting a view of the protagonist's life before she becomes a part of this gang that runs and leads criminal activity through entire regions, not just cities. There were so many twists at the end I never saw coming and the mc's reactions were top-notch badass, exactly what I was hoping to see though she was also understandable caught off-guard.
I flew through this. This book made me uncomfy and I liked it. It's Lilith's practicality and the unspoken communication with the extraterrestrials. It's the gestures and actions that speak louder than words and lies. It's the absolutely understandable resistance to such drastic change, the undeniable need to feel in control that proves fruitless. It's the quick adaptation that feels unavoidable but no less unacceptable.
3 stars
It was nice to see what happens to Zac from The Wall of Winnipeg and Me.
Main thing I had a problem with - the main character. It was super cool that she had her own version of a YouTube channel about cooking. Loved her go-getter spirit honestly, and her will to keep her independence even when she knew she had to reach out for help was admirable. She was very strong in a lot of ways.
HOWEVER, what is with her insecurity being thrown in my face every time she opens her mouth? Her passive aggressive tendency that she “didn't realize” was coming up every time she tacked on “only if you want to” (or some variation thereof) was too one-note to be believable. It was pretty much her only character flaw (I would have liked to have seen more) and it was constantly coming up. I get it, she's insecure, who isn't? Her worrying about other people not liking/loving her enough to stick around is valid, but her way of coping? That shit shouldn't just come up by making passive aggressive comments. If you've met anyone with similar issues, that's just one of many ways they cope.
I don't know. I didn't enjoy the romance because of it. It was always on her mind so it pulled me out of the story whenever I saw it because I just didn't believe it.
3.5 stars
This book emanates superficiality intentionally. Based on the New York Times review and a certain quote (that is probably the climax of this book for which I wish it wasn't because it was this particular quote that drew me in), I tried not to set my expectations beyond picturing a small town mystery that disturbs the inner peace of a nuclear family. And in a way that is what this book entails, however, the story is zooms in so ostensibly that we only see the perceptions-not the thoughts and feelings-of the three siblings that discovered the boy in the field.
There were instances of common family-drama type challenges that were made to bring in points of tension but seemingly wrapped up swiftly enough and with such a perfect bow that it's hard to believe the author wanted us to remember the characters' names, let alone their experiences. The only reasoning I can find behind the Birdseye view of the entire story is the symbolism of the view Duncan so when they stumbled across the boy in the field. Each of their recounting's of the discovery held a sense of detachment and therefore each character seized the opportunity to fill in the blanks with their interpretation of what might have/did transpire. The title did not name the boy in the field because it's about the portrayal of the main characters' perceptions; not only about the boy/what happened to the boy but every social interaction and consequence thereafter.
This would honestly be a perfect book to study in a classroom setting. It provides many opportunities to discuss how the characters see the same actions and hear the same words but ultimately each has a unique understanding of what occurred.
There was one conversation between the eldest sibling and the detective that made me think differently about capital punishment and for that alone, I need to buy a physical copy. :)
Legit could not read more than the first page or so because who the f wrote this? This can't be Tijan. From the very first line to the fact that we're being introduced to the “rich prick” before we even meet the main character. And sorry but, who actually writes “I'm the library girl” as a freakin character trait? And finally, stop telling me shit and SHOW me. This is the worst kind of trash - no effort to churn out something to appease stans.
3.5 stars
Pretty decent RH though the writing seemed a little choppy due to lack of small transitions from one conversation topic to the next. The characters though were nicely fleshed-out and distinctive with their own relatable traumas and personalities. The MC was an interesting heroine who didn't want to be after being held captive by her uncle for so many years. But to paraphrase a great quote in the book, she was never broken, never lost herself to the tragedy of her horrific experiences. She learned, adapted and had to heal but she came out stronger in spite of it all.
2nd Read Jan 31st 2025
Same rating.
I forgot a lot in 1.5 years. I truly enjoyed myself rereading this and discovering some major character reveals that blindsided me for a second time. My sentiments haven't changed, still such a great detailed reimagining of two of my favorite fictional characters. Just like it's a tradition for me to read Addison's Goblin Emperor every 4 years, it might be a new tradition to reread this book every two.
Read Aug 16th 2023
4.25
This should have been titled, “The Crow of the Angels”. What an ending. I enjoyed all the mysteries and didn't mind that they were all easily solved because, like any good serial series, the underlying narrative and relationships pull you along and keep you invested.
Also, I don't particularly care that this was Sherlock wingfic. This was indulgent. And as someone who loves Sherlock and Watson as the characters they are, I truly relish reading any iteration of them that celebrates who they are.
3 stars
The beginning and introduction to the MC was by far one of my favorites because it's exactly the cozy, intimate setting that I love to sink my teeth into. I just wish it had been stretched out to the whole book so the introduction to the men in her harem was just as crafted and seamless. I did not care about the plot at all in the book and didn't think the author put as much effort as she probably should have if she wanted the reader to care about it at all. Disappointing.
Favorites -
Peach Cobbler
“She get a taste of that sweetness, she'll want it so bad, she'll grow up and settle for crumbs of it.”
Snowfall
“But like a beautiful quilt in summer time, my mother's love was the suffocating kind, the kind you chafe against and don't miss until the seasons change and it's gone.”
Instructions for Married Christian Husbands
“Tread until you are back on dry land.”