Anonymous

Complicated relationships portrayed well

Reviewed: 03-24-24

I fully enjoyed this story. The relationships are complicated, and that is present in a clear and simple way. The author has done a great job of weaving this story and bringing information at the right time. It comes together smoothly. The narrator seems to sometimes take a few words to transition to another character, so the tone is a bit off sometimes, but it is a good job overall.

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Engrossing

Reviewed: 02-28-24

I found this completely engrossing. The narrator is interesting, flawed, and somehow relatable. Her struggles are unusual, her manner is strange, and relationships strained. There is no telling how things will end up. The author did not drop lots of breadcrumbs, so the ending was not obvious. By the time a death occurs, it is a bit unbelievable. I enjoyed the themes of mental health, community, and the general idea that there is more to people than we see and easy to misinterpret what we do see.

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Compelling characters, strange relationships

Reviewed: 02-24-24

I devoured this book in one day. It completely held my attention with interesting characters and the challenge that is addiction. I couldn't tell where the narrator would end up, or how the relationships would change. There are definitely some difficult parts, but they passed quickly enough.

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Great story, fantastic narration

Reviewed: 02-15-24

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters are interesting and layered. I always enjoy "unlikeable" characters, so Obediah was fun to get to know, especially as the layers peeled back. Revealing parts of him and his past was a great choice. The Behind the Book section was especially interesting to me as a writer, and a testament to the importance of workshopping and getting beta readers. I was very pleased to hear Trinidadian people narrating. It makes a big difference having the authentic cadence and style of speech.

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Emjoyable

Reviewed: 02-12-24

I fully enjoyed this book, finishing it in less than two days. The characters are interesting, the family dynamics are just complex enough, and the information from the past comes at a good pace. It is easy to see where the story is going, but it is still an enjoyable ride to get there.

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Easy listen

Reviewed: 12-17-23

This was a good, easy listen for a lazy Sunday. All of the women and the girl are interesting characters, so I am glad we got their perspectives. A bit more could have been done for cohesion and reducing the repetition, and I would have liked more on the feminist/non-feminist stance of the main character.

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Endurance of family and friendship

Reviewed: 02-02-23

This is a story of friendship and family, and what it means to be in conmunity with one another. The main characters have their own struggles and secrets, yet they make time and space to support their loved ones. One event seems to lead to another until an unpredictable event occurs that could forever alter the lives of two young people. The decisions they have to make are difficult, and there are no guarantees that it will all work, even in the longterm. The stakes get higher toward the end of this novel, and the conclusion is satisfying. This can easily be finished in a day or two.

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Engrossing story with interesting characters

Reviewed: 01-28-23

I thoroughly enjoyed this engrossing story. The characters are very interesting and complicated, and it is easy to identify with what they want. The relationship between Tova and Marcellus is believable, even in its oddity. For me, the pieces came together at just the right time, connecting the main characters. I like novels written from multiple perspectives, and this one is neatly done, with no scenes unnecessarily repeated or overlapping. I look forward to more from this author.

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Pivotal event causes major changes

Reviewed: 12-29-22

There is more tension in this novel than one might expect. At first, it seems like an ordinary friendship, even when a particular event occurs. It is obviously one that shakes the characters, but it is a while before it becomes clear just how much it affects not only the trajectory of their lives, but their frienship. When the timeline shifts to their adulthood, it is a a bit awkward and I found it hard to follow, having to go back and replay parts, but I stuck with it because I was already invested and the author is one of my favorites. It may have been easier to follow if I read it in a different format. Still, I appreciate the story and the complications.

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2 people found this helpful

New worlds, interesting characters, great story

Reviewed: 12-17-22

Every part of this novel is deeply engrossing. The characters are interesting, all likeable in their own way, despite their flaws. I am not a gamer at all, but found myself fascinated by the look into game development and the ways the characters used games to highlight and subvert aspects of reality. It got more and more appealing and the author found various ways to change perspectives and settings without it being jarring. Thoroughly enjoyed!

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