Having read the synopsis, did the book meet my expectations? Yes. I love the small section on the back cover called What’s in it?, which shows the main themes of the book. It is a lovely touch – and accurate. Based on the synopsis, I would have maybe expected the story to be more equally divided between Shamiso and Tanyaradzwa but the narrative seems to be focused more on Shamiso.
Was it a page-turner? This is not a fast paced novel in the way that a thriller can be but the short chapters make it very easy to read one after the other in quick succession until you realise there are no more. Besides, once you start getting attached to the girls, you just have to know how it ends for them.
Did I like the ending? If I consider the target audience of this novel, I think the ending couldn’t have been better. I do like more open and ambiguous endings though and – were this an adult fiction book – I would have probably preferred to be left in doubt.
Did the book leave me with unanswered questions? There is a lot I would like to know about a few minor characters but that doesn’t mean that the book left anything unresolved. It just means that all characters were intriguing enough to want to know more!
Three words to describe it. Gentle. Raw. Uplifting.
Do I like the cover? Yes, the warm colours of the cover transport you immediately to Zimbabwe, where the novel is set.
Will I be recommending this book? Yes, and even though this book falls into the YA novel category, I would definitely recommend it to adults too. Grief is such a difficult feeling to write about and I think Rutendo Tavengerwei did that beautifully.
Was it a page-turner? This is not a fast paced novel in the way that a thriller can be but the short chapters make it very easy to read one after the other in quick succession until you realise there are no more. Besides, once you start getting attached to the girls, you just have to know how it ends for them.
Did I like the ending? If I consider the target audience of this novel, I think the ending couldn’t have been better. I do like more open and ambiguous endings though and – were this an adult fiction book – I would have probably preferred to be left in doubt.
Did the book leave me with unanswered questions? There is a lot I would like to know about a few minor characters but that doesn’t mean that the book left anything unresolved. It just means that all characters were intriguing enough to want to know more!
Three words to describe it. Gentle. Raw. Uplifting.
Do I like the cover? Yes, the warm colours of the cover transport you immediately to Zimbabwe, where the novel is set.
Will I be recommending this book? Yes, and even though this book falls into the YA novel category, I would definitely recommend it to adults too. Grief is such a difficult feeling to write about and I think Rutendo Tavengerwei did that beautifully.