So I'll start by saying that the writing of this book is beautiful, well crafted and lovely to read. It's incredibly well researched, and it vividly captured the essence of Sierra Leone. Granted I didn't know much about the country before I finished this, but the characters and the atrocity of war that the author described was burned into my brain. I found myself reading about it on Google afterwards.
I always think that is the sign of a good book, when you can't stop thinking about it after you've finished. I'm in awe and think this will be one of my most memorable reads of 2022.

There is a reason this isn't 5 stars, the main character Elias Cole who fills most of the initial 100 pages before we get to know other characters properly, is vile.
I understand why the author has developed him so, it is important to the story line, but I almost DNF'd at 50 pages because I couldn't stand him. AT ALL.

I need to rant about this, but I am infuriated that he couldn't accept responsibility in part for Julius death (I loved Julius, he was magnificent), I was appalled at the insidious way he pursued Saffia, and then to have a mistress at the end after all of that, it was outrageous. He was a deeply unlikable character, and I know it was a device to show the cowardly people in war who are inadvertently responsible for awful crimes because they want to keep themselves safe, but erghhhh.

Kai was sublime, my heart broke for him, loved him, I lived for his chapters and thoughts and feelings.
I was a bit meh about Adrian

especially when the stupid plot device about a character with 2 names came to fruition, I totally saw it coming, however how, HOW, could Adrian say he was in love with Mamakay and then abandon his bloody child in another country and pretend they don't exist. Poor Kai, dumped with the unloved children, losing the love of his life, experiencing the most traumatic scene I have read in a long time, absolutely horrific war crimes.

I guess all my ranting, it just demonstrates how well written this is, that I was so completely emotionally invested. Please give it time, get past the first 100 pages, swallow your hate of Elias Cole, keep going. It is completely and utterly worth your time!