lipglossmaffia's Reviews (1.52k)

mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
informative medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

 Anyhoo, I'll start with what I appreciated the most about Loose Ties. Even though it's translated from Portuguese, many words and phrases from indigenous languages were retained. That's the kind of stuff I live for.
Also, the descriptions of Luanda are very well captured and you can see, taste, and hear the city. Good stuff.
That aside, I'm a little bummed that the only memorable bit is that it's set in Angola, the character development was weak, it's a plot based novel but even the plot wasn't plotting, too many holes. The writing style was kinda weird too, it was like a mix of commercial and literary but maybe stuff got lost in translation. It's easy to read but there's really nothing to hold your attention. 
challenging emotional informative medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

This is not a novel one "enjoys"
It's heartbreakingly and I appreciate how this author decides to share this story. The task was momentous and I think it's well executed. Heavy stuff, fam😢
lighthearted medium-paced
adventurous medium-paced
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
lighthearted reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A
dark medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This is for sure a rollercoaster of emotions.
dark emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Yooooo! This book is a fucking trip. I'm not a mother but if I was, I'll be so ready for war right now. I appreciate how easy it is to get into this novel, because it's such a heavy subject that the author just went straight to the point. They are obviously a very good storyteller so I'll be looking forward to more books from this writer but damn, though. It's got me all riled up.