Let me start by saying that I was really excited to read this book. I heard Tochi speak at YallFest and immediately bumped his book to the top of my TBR. I read it and then I just sort of went "oh... alright... huh." The premise is amazing, the idea behind the book gets me pumped to read this book. Actually reading it though, made me less than excited about it. Mostly I just felt disappointed. Like, the idea and the beginning were excellent. Fast-paced, gripping, I was very much in to the story. Then came the part that just sort of plopped; like the author dropped the ball. The middle part of the story felt disconnected for me, it was odd to read. It felt so different than the first part, that I thought it was almost a new book. The ending though was this jumbled mix of fast-paced action and everything that made the middle area a dud.
I know that the topics in this book are based on the Nigerian Civil War, I know that it is full of difficult subject matter. I recognize that this book explores the "gray" of war and shows the reality of conflict and survival. I admire the author for writing about this and not making it an easy read for the audience. What bothered me though was the actual writing and writing style. After the first part where I was connected with the characters and involved emotionally, the author lost me. I never again was able to connect with the characters. Which was a shame, because I wanted to love this book so much. But I just didn't.
I know that the topics in this book are based on the Nigerian Civil War, I know that it is full of difficult subject matter. I recognize that this book explores the "gray" of war and shows the reality of conflict and survival. I admire the author for writing about this and not making it an easy read for the audience. What bothered me though was the actual writing and writing style. After the first part where I was connected with the characters and involved emotionally, the author lost me. I never again was able to connect with the characters. Which was a shame, because I wanted to love this book so much. But I just didn't.