*3.5 stars
Ahhh what a cliffhanger! I'm really interested to see where this goes next.
There were definitely really enjoyable parts but also confusing and frustrating parts, hence the rating I've settled on.
I wasn't really a fan of Adiah's chapters and kind of wish her POV was left out. She was honestly just so annoying, especially in the beginning. She is would say things like "I'll do better!" and then do the exact same things that got her in trouble in the first place. It's like all she was doing was the opposite of what her teachers and family ask her to do. They tell her bring the magic in and let it go, she holds it. They say spar without magic, as soon as shes about to lose the match, she uses magic and ends up seriously hurting someone in the process. Broke his bones by magically lifting and throwing him back down on the ground, and all she can say is "it was an accident"?? Like, no, it wasn't. Maybe you accidentally used too much magic, but that wouldn't have happened if you listened and didn't use any at all. She chose to use magic. And she can't even fess up and accept that she makes poor decisions. (SPOILER: I mean, I was already annoyed with her before, but when I found out her last oopsie caused the rupture- a split in the sky that almost ended the world as they know it, I was just gobsmacked by how much shit one person can cause. How many times can they make the same mistakes over and over before they change? It literally took the world to almost end for her to realize she fucked up. But she did have to face the consequences of her actions in the end, so at least there's that.)
Koffi is by far the best character. I love her strength and compassion, and how layered her relationships and feelings are (especially when it comes to her father, I found that scene so powerful). (SPOILER: However, I did find it a bit off putting/ confusing that she didn't really seem to focus on the fact that her best friend and mother are going to suffer because she wasn't going back to the night zoo and instead saving Adiah.) Ekon (SPOILER: was GOING to be on the list but then he had to go and royally screw over my girl with not a great apology. When he double crossed her, I just knew men aint shit. For someone who blamed Koffi for their misfortunes in the jungle multiple times because she wanted to keep going on the first day, he sure as heck messed up all their plans towards the end. And it's not really something he can take back. I understand why he did it, but I'm still disappointed in him.) I do like that Ekon is a super nerdy dude but he's still really good at fighting, I haven't really seen that before in books I've read, and it's a combination I enjoy. And I like the relationship between him and Koffi. Thank goodness there wasn't instalove. I wish more books would realize just really liking someone at first is enough! It feels so much more genuine that immediate love. They also had great chemistry jumping off the page, and the first kiss scene was magic (SPOILER: well, aside from the fact that Ekon's brother was there watching it happen LOL, but we didn't know that until after).
Edited to add that I *loved* the richness of the African culture incorporated in the book. From the twists to the different monster lore they encountered in the forest. I’ve never read about creatures like that and it was so cool to get an insight into new mythology and folklore! I believe one of the creatures may have been a nod to Anansi but that was the only one I recognized and even that I’m not 100% sure it’s him (but the character was also a spider/human creature and had a similar name). I cannot explain the joy I felt during the scene where Ekon is telling Koffi the legend of the constellations/ the story behind them. I’ve read quite a bit about the big Greek constellations that while I do also love them and find them interesting, they get a bit repetitive, so this was a pleasant surprise and a breathe of fresh air with the story of the giraffes.
Ahhh what a cliffhanger! I'm really interested to see where this goes next.
There were definitely really enjoyable parts but also confusing and frustrating parts, hence the rating I've settled on.
I wasn't really a fan of Adiah's chapters and kind of wish her POV was left out. She was honestly just so annoying, especially in the beginning. She is would say things like "I'll do better!" and then do the exact same things that got her in trouble in the first place. It's like all she was doing was the opposite of what her teachers and family ask her to do. They tell her bring the magic in and let it go, she holds it. They say spar without magic, as soon as shes about to lose the match, she uses magic and ends up seriously hurting someone in the process. Broke his bones by magically lifting and throwing him back down on the ground, and all she can say is "it was an accident"?? Like, no, it wasn't. Maybe you accidentally used too much magic, but that wouldn't have happened if you listened and didn't use any at all. She chose to use magic. And she can't even fess up and accept that she makes poor decisions. (SPOILER: I mean, I was already annoyed with her before, but when I found out her last oopsie caused the rupture- a split in the sky that almost ended the world as they know it, I was just gobsmacked by how much shit one person can cause. How many times can they make the same mistakes over and over before they change? It literally took the world to almost end for her to realize she fucked up. But she did have to face the consequences of her actions in the end, so at least there's that.)
Koffi is by far the best character. I love her strength and compassion, and how layered her relationships and feelings are (especially when it comes to her father, I found that scene so powerful). (SPOILER: However, I did find it a bit off putting/ confusing that she didn't really seem to focus on the fact that her best friend and mother are going to suffer because she wasn't going back to the night zoo and instead saving Adiah.) Ekon (SPOILER: was GOING to be on the list but then he had to go and royally screw over my girl with not a great apology. When he double crossed her, I just knew men aint shit. For someone who blamed Koffi for their misfortunes in the jungle multiple times because she wanted to keep going on the first day, he sure as heck messed up all their plans towards the end. And it's not really something he can take back. I understand why he did it, but I'm still disappointed in him.) I do like that Ekon is a super nerdy dude but he's still really good at fighting, I haven't really seen that before in books I've read, and it's a combination I enjoy. And I like the relationship between him and Koffi. Thank goodness there wasn't instalove. I wish more books would realize just really liking someone at first is enough! It feels so much more genuine that immediate love. They also had great chemistry jumping off the page, and the first kiss scene was magic (SPOILER: well, aside from the fact that Ekon's brother was there watching it happen LOL, but we didn't know that until after).
Edited to add that I *loved* the richness of the African culture incorporated in the book. From the twists to the different monster lore they encountered in the forest. I’ve never read about creatures like that and it was so cool to get an insight into new mythology and folklore! I believe one of the creatures may have been a nod to Anansi but that was the only one I recognized and even that I’m not 100% sure it’s him (but the character was also a spider/human creature and had a similar name). I cannot explain the joy I felt during the scene where Ekon is telling Koffi the legend of the constellations/ the story behind them. I’ve read quite a bit about the big Greek constellations that while I do also love them and find them interesting, they get a bit repetitive, so this was a pleasant surprise and a breathe of fresh air with the story of the giraffes.