MY RATING:★★★★,5/5
I’ve been on a really good reading ride lately, my last reads were always 4 or 5 stars and they were all ARCs (Advanced Copies) which is surprising because I tend to give a 3 stars average when I’m binging on ARCs. I guess Fall is starting well for me 😉
I just loved everything about this book, but the one thing I was completely head over heels was the novelty of the theme.
This novel is narrated by Jojo, a child who has to take care of his toddler sister Kayla while dealing with his drug addicted Leonie, and a mysterious sinister grandfather, Pap. When you start reading the book, you can feel the dynamic of the family. It’s very unique and disturbing at the same time. But as you read and turn the pages.. there’s A SUPERNATURAL SIDE that I found absolutely brilliant!! I really don’t want to spoil what it is but let me tell you it’s one of the times that make you wish you had read more about sorcery and African traditions.
However, I’m removing half a star from the rating because I wish the author would further develop the supernatural side. I think there was a great potential there to build an entire portal to the supernatural world. But I guess it wasn’t the main point of the novel hehe.
Adding to that, the characters were complex and three dimensional. You know how it’s important to readers to feel that the author breathe life into characters via his writing? Well Jesmyn Ward did the job alright. The characters were so real, raw, cruel, that sometimes I’m asking myself if I’m REALLY reading a book because the imagery and emotions are so intense, you feel it like it’s happening to you, AND THAT IS AMAZING.
A mix of violence, unfinished bussiness and murders, this is reading like a thriller but also like an adult fantasy story. A must read for anyone who likes a more disturbing and darker modern- supernatural story.
Big thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
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I love it when the author manages to makes the characters feel like real people. This book sounds so good. Great review!
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This book was seriouslyy soo good ❤ you should give it a try 😀
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Ahh you always get the best ARCs! I am also eyeing this book because it interests me. Great review Trang and I love how the writing feels real.
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Hahah thank you Nikola!! It is really awesome 😀 !! Youre seriously the perfect bookworm neighbor HAH
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ooh this sounds so good!! You are having a great run of it lately 😉
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I know right :O! So happy when that happens LOL
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haha yes!!
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I love darker stories! I am not sure why, but they have always appealed to me. Add the unexpected element of the supernatural and complex characters, this sounds perfect! Awesome review Trang 🙂
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Same thing here with all the darker stories LOL something about it is really attractive 😉
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Lovely review Trang! I just received my copy from Book of the Month & couldn’t be more excited to get to it. The Supernatural element & pretty much messed up family dynamics is what made me go with this one. I can’t pass up on three dimensional characters & it’s good to know the author breathed life into the pages, these are almost always my fave reads 🙌🏼
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Omg I hope you had the time to read it !! 😀 It’s really special, the uspernatural was a great addition and I hoped they developed more about it T_T
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I’ve made significant progress with my arcs, slowly but surely I’ll be making my way over to Book of the Month shelf 😂 can’t wait, this will be one of the first I read 😉
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Hahah I know the ARCs struggles T_T what is the latest ARCS that you liked ? :O
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Though she’s received lots of praise, I’ve never been interested in trying one of Ward’s books until now. I’m intrigued by the supernatural element.
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Happy to see that I changed your mind 😉 I do hope she developped more on that aspect tho
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😊 that would be the second time you’ve changed my mind. The first time made me give The Wicked n Divine comices a second chance.
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Wow!!! This sounds awesome! I love when the author brings the characters to life. Fantastic Review and TBR pile for sure because of your awesome review!💖😁📚💙🤗💛 You are the best and coolest Trang!🙌💃😗🎁♥
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DANII ❤️❤️ Made my day already when I see you poppin in my notif LOL Thank you!! I think you will enjoy this too 😍
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Sounds good!!!🙌🙌🙌 You are awesome Trang!!!!😍
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