There was only one thing really that kept this from being five stars for me, and that is something I will go into a bit later but be warned it is into possible spoiler-y territory. Overall this was an engaging story. Lyrically it was beautifully and Emezi's talent with the written word. They are very good are poetically weaving together a story and giving depth to the most unlikable of characters. I will admit when it started I didn't think I was going to like it because it hinted at a possible affair between Chika and Mary, his brother's wife.

Luckily Mary put a stop to that nonsense real quick which is arguably one of the only redeeming things her character does throughout the course of the story.

Stories that start at the end are tricky to master. Either they're well done and masterful; or they're not and they crash and burn. This book falls into the former category since it's pretty engaging from the first page. I enjoyed all the different points of views we had in the story including, in brief interludes, the titular character. It does bring up questions about how we can be good people, good allies,s and good parents and are we actually that if our loved ones feel they have to hide a part of themselves?

Again I don't like rehashing plots in my reviews and will just reiterate that it is beautifully written. However there was one specific aspect that almost changed the tide of this book for me. And here is your warning about spoilers for a few things.....












The incestuous relationship was completely unnecessary. I don't know if it was put in there to double down on the taboo nature one of the relationships that Vivek/Nnemdi was in. But, for the part of the world that their story took place in, there was no need to add to said taboo or double dwn on it. And honestly it give it an 'ick' factor that would have ruined the whole book for me had it encompassed a larger part of the plot. Yes it was there always in the background as a consistent undertone. However it was at one point brought full front to the story and almost killed it for me.

Their relationship with this person wouldn't have been any less tragic had they not been related. It still would have been because of the world that they lived in and the circumstances that lead to the Vivke/Nnemdi's death. It just left a bad taste in my mouth, much like I got when I thought that an affair was going to happen between Chika and Mary. And while there were affairs, it wasn't that close of a relationship. The rest of the story after that became more apparent was well written enough that this didn't overshadow but in a lesser story it would have for me and I would be re-homing this book.


Despite being a short page count this book packs a punch and is one I would recommend with the aforementioned content warnings. It's tragically beautiful and not what one would call a feel good book. However I wasn't quite as emotionally beaten down as I thought I would be and likely would read it again, skipping over the parts that were problematic for me.