Two stars.
Wow, what a disappointment. It is such a shame as I felt this book had so much potential, the synopsis being so clever, yet it lacked so much. I commend the debut author, not all first books are master pieces, but seriously? How has this book been shortlisted. From the other reviews and the uproar about this book, I see that my opinion is in the minority, and I clearly didn’t connect like others did with this novel which is definitely fine, this is just my personal opinion.
What was good: (2 stars)
1) the culture that is attributed to this novel, is brilliant. You can tell the author is passionate about her roots and has woven this into her writing. And what was great is that Nigerian culture is uncommon in books (which it shouldn’t be FYI!) and it was great to finally read it!
2) The concept was there. A dark and clever idea, a serial killer sister.
The disappointments: (-3 stars)
*most of these points come from the lack of depth in the novel
1) The lack of growth and development in the characters. I mean who were they? I don’t know them? These characters had potential, I know it, but it just wasn’t there.
2) The shortness of the novel meant that there was no depth to it, no backstory, no development of plot.
3) The book is not humorous, not disturbing and does not live up the the praise it has been given. It’s a book about family and portraying familial flaws. And that is portrayed well. But do not praise a book as a disturbing, dark thriller, when it is not that.
On a final note, I appreciate the author’s attempt. It was a short and snappy read, very easy, but not enjoyable in my opinion. I think that the book has been given so much hype that the story which is probably okay, just doesn’t live up to it.
This is my opinion and I am in the minority for feeling this.
Wow, what a disappointment. It is such a shame as I felt this book had so much potential, the synopsis being so clever, yet it lacked so much. I commend the debut author, not all first books are master pieces, but seriously? How has this book been shortlisted. From the other reviews and the uproar about this book, I see that my opinion is in the minority, and I clearly didn’t connect like others did with this novel which is definitely fine, this is just my personal opinion.
What was good: (2 stars)
1) the culture that is attributed to this novel, is brilliant. You can tell the author is passionate about her roots and has woven this into her writing. And what was great is that Nigerian culture is uncommon in books (which it shouldn’t be FYI!) and it was great to finally read it!
2) The concept was there. A dark and clever idea, a serial killer sister.
The disappointments: (-3 stars)
*most of these points come from the lack of depth in the novel
1) The lack of growth and development in the characters. I mean who were they? I don’t know them? These characters had potential, I know it, but it just wasn’t there.
2) The shortness of the novel meant that there was no depth to it, no backstory, no development of plot.
3) The book is not humorous, not disturbing and does not live up the the praise it has been given. It’s a book about family and portraying familial flaws. And that is portrayed well. But do not praise a book as a disturbing, dark thriller, when it is not that.
On a final note, I appreciate the author’s attempt. It was a short and snappy read, very easy, but not enjoyable in my opinion. I think that the book has been given so much hype that the story which is probably okay, just doesn’t live up to it.
This is my opinion and I am in the minority for feeling this.